Top UX Design Certificates & Certifications Online

User experience (UX) design is the process design teams use to create products that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users.

UX design involves the design of the entire process of acquiring and integrating the product, including aspects of branding, design, usability and function. Designing an experience includes not only making the software easy to use but also designing the other experiences related to the product, including the marketing campaign, the packaging, and after-sales support. Most importantly, UX design is concerned with delivering solutions that address pain points and needs. 

Now more than ever, organizations are recognizing the value of user-centered design, applying its principles everywhere from web experiences, to physical products, to service delivery. According to a study done by Forrester Research, a well-designed user interface could raise a website’s conversion rate by up to 200%, and a better UX design could produce conversion rates up to 400%. Simply put, design matters. 

Noble Desktop: UX & UI Design Certificate

Key Information: What is the difference between UX and UI? This certificate course answers that question by introducing and teaching you to master both UX and UI design through 132 hours of hands-on instruction. Tuition for this course is $3,495 which includes live, project based training from industry professionals, 1-on-1 mentoring outside of class, course workbooks, and a verified digital certificate of completion. It also features small class sizes, the option to retake the course for free within 1 year of completion, and flexible payment plans. 

UX Designers focus on designing apps, websites, and other products that are easy and pleasant to use. UI Designers focus on the appearance of apps, websites, and other products so they are beautiful and visually effective. In this project-based certificate program, you’ll gain the skills to pursue a career as both a UX and UI Designer. 

Over the course of this program you will learn UX and UI design fundamentals which cover best practices for user-centered UX design and visual design, conduct user research and testing by studying your target user base, making user personas, and conducting testing to identify potential problems, design webpages and apps, as well as build your UX and UI design portfolio to showcase your designs to potential employers. You’ll also get valuable job preparation help and feedback including tips on developing your portfolio website and resume. 

Noble Desktop: Figma Bootcamp

Key Information: Figma is a modern design app that was built with UX Designers in mind. It focuses on designing user interfaces and user experiences, which makes this bootcamp a great choice for anyone looking to get certified in UX design. The tuition for Figma Bootcamp is $695 which includes 12 hours of hands-on instruction, live, project-based training from industry experts, course workbook, and a verified digital certificate of completion. You also have the option to retake the course for free within one year of completion. This course is offered both full-time and part-time and is an all-levels course for ages 18 and up. The average class size is 15.

Figma uses frames to effectively design web layouts for mobile, tablet, and desktop. It’s a vector-based app which allows you to scale for a variety of screen sizes without sacrificing quality or clarity. While using Figma you’ll find tools and features specifically relevant to UI and UX design such as components and built-in prototyping tools to name a couple.

In this bootcamp you will learn to design complex and realistic prototypes with advanced functionality. You will cover how to add interactions such as hovers, how to add animations to your designs using smart animate, and how to make specific areas within a screen scrollable, among other topics. 

Thinkful: UX/UI Design Bootcamp

Key Information: UX/UI designers are the creative minds behind user-friendly experiences. They design, build and maintain websites and apps. Thinkful’s UX/UI Design Bootcamp will have you job-ready in a matter of months. Tuition for this course is $14,823 for full-time, which you can pay upfront or by using an available payment plan, and $12,350 for part-time. The full-time option is a 5-month, Monday through Friday 10am to 5pm ET schedule. With this option you’ll have dedicated learning assistants and a set structure. You will have to take a required four week self-paced prep course before your full-time schedule begins. The part-time option is a 6-month, self-paced schedule in which you are expected to spend 20 to 25 hours a week on coursework. You’ll have access to optional office hours and won’t be required to take the prep course before starting with the part-time option.

Along with a comprehensive curriculum that will build your skills from the ground up, tuition also includes 1-on1 mentorship. You’ll get live personal video consultations, detailed feedback and reviews, and career insights and tips. You’ll also receive personalized career coaching that includes full-time career support from day one, unlimited technical interview practices, industry and salary insights, LinkedIn and resume writing support, and exclusive access to open roles.

You will need to provide your own computer with at least a 16GB Ram, a 2.0 GHz processor, and a 256 GB HD. Additionally, the computer must be able to download applications and software. Chromebooks will not work for this course.

General Assembly: UX Design Course

Key Information: This beginner-friendly course dives deep into the UX design process. General Assembly’s UX Design Course features a curriculum that ensures you’ll graduate ready to tackle any challenges you’ll face in the field. Tuition for this course is $4,500, which you can pay for up front, or you can check out available financing options. Your tuition covers 40 hours of expert instruction, a short onboarding task to prepare you for the course, robust coursework, real-world projects, individual feedback and guidance from instructors, exclusive access to alumni discounts, networking events, and career workshops, a course certificate, and connections with a professional network that can help you navigate and succeed in the UX design field. You can take this course during the day or in the evening, depending on when and what works best for you. 

During this course you’ll learn to translate user wants and needs into intuitive digital experiences that power revenue, loyalty, and product success, as well as build confidence and credibility to tackle complex design problems on the job. You’ll discover how to identify, ideate, articulate and develop design solutions, and you’ll be able to describe how UX designers work with product managers, developers, and visual designers. 

You can expect to explore the current UX design landscape through relevant, real-world examples, develop and document personas, journey maps, user flows, and annotated wireframes, as well as utilize industry-standard tools to propose and refine design decisions.

General Assembly: UX Design Immersive

Key Information: General Assembly’s UX Design Immersive will teach you the skills you need to launch or further a career in UX Design. This full-time UX bootcamp features a curriculum that is primed for industry relevance. Tuition for this course is $16,450, which can be paid up front, or you can take advantage of GA’s financing options. Your tuition includes instruction from industry experts, self-paced course prep, robust coursework, a professional-grade portfolio to showcase your skills, individual feedback and guidance, dedicated career services, design interview prep, exclusive access to alumni discounts, networking events, and career workshops, a GA course certificate, and connections with a professional network that can help you navigate and succeed in the design field.

This beginner-friendly program covers everything from sketching and wireframing to design and development using today’s top digital design tools. There are no prerequisites, but it might not hurt to brush up on UX concepts before class begins. Once you enroll, you’ll be set up with online, self-paced preparatory lessons that cover UX fundamentals and vocabulary. 

Throughout this immersive course you can expect to cover UX foundations, UI foundations, design iteration and development, working with a product team, UX in the real-world, and UX career planning. You’ll also compile a portfolio of solo and group projects designed to reinforce what you’ve learned in each unit and create professional-standard documentation. 

FAQ for UX Design Certificates

What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?

Generally, the difference is that a certificate is awarded to students who complete a training course while a certification is given to students who pass an exam.

Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?

Whether you pursue a certificate or certification is going to depend on a lot of factors. Certificate programs are great for those who want to learn a new skill or prepare for a career shift while balancing a busy schedule. Certificate programs are designed to be quick and comprehensive, with many taking the form of bootcamps or combined unit learning, so if you can keep up with the focus demands, they are a great way to learn any given subject. Certificate programs also usually have a set curriculum with courses all offered with the same learning institution, so you won’t have to hunt for classes you think might teach the skills you’re after. 

If you can’t make a set class schedule work, a certification might be better for you. You’ll need to figure out what courses you need to take and what information you’ll need to learn before you take a certification exam, but it gives you a little more wiggle room with your time. You might have previous experience and want to take advanced courses instead of starting with the basics in a beginner-level bootcamp. You also might just need a class or two to refresh your memory. If you feel you can pass a proctored skills exam demonstrating your proficiency without enrolling in a certificate program, a certification path will be your best bet. 

You also need to look at what is being offered. Sometimes you might want to pursue one option or the other, but you might run into some snags as far as what is being offered in your area or when courses are being offered. Be open to a certificate program if there are no current certification courses available, and maybe look into getting a certification if you can’t find the right certificate course.

Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?

No! As with any profession, you can get your foot in the door if you find yourself at the right place or the right time, or if you know someone that can grant you access. However, a much safer bet is to be as competitive as possible when situating yourself as a candidate. Holding a certificate or certification for the job you want is going to make you stand out from other applicants and also give you the confidence you’ll need in an interview. It shows employers you know what you’re talking about and are qualified to do the job. To get the best jobs you need to be able to talk the talk and walk the walk so to speak. Being a certified applicant will accomplish that. 

What Certificate Program is Right for Me?

Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes

When it comes to in-person or online classes, one option isn’t necessarily better than the other. It just depends on your personal needs and preferences. 

In-person classes offer hands-on guidance as well as the ability to physically interact with group members and instructors. If you’re someone who needs or wants to get out of the house when learning something new, in-person classes offer that traditional avenue you’re looking for.

If you can’t make in-person classes work, or you simply prefer learning from the comfort of your own home or office, online classes are a great option. Online classes offer some of the same benefits of in-person classes including live instruction and real time exercises and discussions. Instructors are available to answer questions and will guide you through the courses as if you’re sitting in a classroom.

Online classes are a great option for those with busy lifestyles such as caretakers, or those with unconventional work schedules such as delivery or Uber drivers. Online classes are also more accessible, taking any commute time or extra stress out of the equation. Instead, online learners can log on at home without any extra prep and be ready for class.

Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?

This is also going to come down to personal preference, but there are some key differences you should be aware of. Live online classes are your best bet to stay focused and on target. They are set up in a way that makes it very difficult for you to miss something or skip over anything. However, you do have to follow a curriculum if you want to get the most bang for your buck. On the other hand, asynchronous classes require you to have a greater level of self discipline. You’ll need to make sure you don’t fall behind or prioritize other things above your courses. You will have more control over when you learn what with the format, though, which can be very appealing to those who have trouble keeping with a routine.