User Experience and Interaction Design (UX/IxD)Associate Degree

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User Experience and Interaction Design (UX/IxD)

Program Number: 102016

Your Degree: Associate Degree

Estimated Time to Complete: 61 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years

Delivery Method: Some Online/Some In Person

Area of Study: Arts, Design and Humanities

Estimated Program Cost: $11,369.07

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Program Overview
Whether you're passionate about enhancing user interactions or shaping innovative digital solutions, the UX/IxD Associate Degree program will equip you with the skills needed to thrive in this fast-growing industry.
This program is ideal for aspiring designers looking to focus on the human-centered creation of digital interfaces. Hands-on learning gives you plenty of opportunity to grow design chops while gaining an understanding of basic web development.
Courses cover essential skills in user experience, interaction design, coding and development such as:
Wireframing
Prototyping
Usability testing
Accessibility
User-friendly design
Development handoff
"I get to see how every design decision—like choosing the right color palette or navigation style—can make a real difference in usability. It's incredibly rewarding to produce interactive prototypes based on my own research."
Meghan J.
Alumni
Is This Right for Me?
The program’s curriculum will teach you to create attractive digital design and to apply user-experience principles, but it also focuses on the soft skills that bolster this knowledge. A successful UX/IxD professional is:
Curious: You like to solve puzzles and figure out why things work the way they do—this applies not only to technology and design principles, but also people. You must be interested in the psychology behind why we make the decisions we do and why our brains work the way they do—and how to incorporate that into design.
A Good Communicator: Web designers work with a team consisting of professionals from various disciplines. They also speak with clients to understand their needs and make presentations of web design concepts. You’ll need to be able to communicate, verbally and in writing, in both technical and simple terms, solutions to design and function challenges.
Creative: Of course “designing” has an artistic aspect, but your creativity needs to expand to include proposing and executing various versions of a project and modes of reaching the audience.
A Big-picture Thinker: Can you focus on details and see the big picture? UX/IxD professionals need to make many small decisions and understand how they all work as a whole. This requires an eye toward the end goal of seamless user experience and the ability to problem solve when needed.
This program will also formally help you prepare a portfolio, create a personal brand and website, write a resume and apply for jobs. At the end of the final semester, students participate in a portfolio show at the college.
Program Details
Students in the User Experience and Interaction Design program can attend full- or part-time.
Any in-person User Experience and Interaction Design classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.
Explore UX Programs
Learn more about the UX profession and why students choose Madison College for career training.
View UX Program Options
Program Courses

Here's a sample course sequence that shows how classes for full-time students are typically organized by semester.
Once you're admitted, your full curriculum and sequence—including any pre-requisites—is defined in your Degree Progress Report.
First Semester
10-201-116
Figma Foundations
Figma is a collaborative, cloud-based interface design tool used for creating user interfaces (UI), user experiences (UX), websites, and apps. Students will learn how to work with frames and layers, create simple layouts, apply basic text and color choices, and build a simple clickable digital flow. Using these foundational modules, students will build clean, organized files, recreate simple UI screens, and use foundational design workflows that prepare them for more advanced studio courses.
1 credit
10-201-163
UX Foundations
UX Foundations is designed to provide students with a strong foundational understanding of user experience design principles and practices. The course covers the key concepts and techniques necessary to design effective and engaging digital products and experiences. Throughout the course, students will learn about the importance of user-centered design and how to conduct user research to inform design decisions. The course will be hands-on, with students working on projects and assignments that simulate real-world UX design challenges.
3 credits
10-201-166
UI Design
This course introduces the theories, skills, and applications needed for designing digital user interfaces. Students explore UI design principles for screens, including layout, typography, color, imagery, iconography, interactivity, usability, accessibility, design patterns, and prototyping. Emphasis is placed on creating cohesive interfaces and preparing design files for development handoff.
3 credits
10-201-168
Human Centered Design
This course introduces the principles and philosophy of human-centered design. Students explore how design decisions affect people, experiences, and systems by examining human needs, behaviors, and contexts. Emphasis is placed on observation, reflection, ethical awareness, and iterative problem-solving. Through hands-on and collaborative activities, students develop a human-centered mindset applicable across a range of design challenges.
2 credits
10-201-177
Web Design
Learn basic web coding skills using HTML5, CSS, and incorporating Javascript. Design, page layout, web typography, and graphic preparation will introduce user interface (UI) skills. Students will also learn about uploading files, server space, testing, usability, accessibility, and browser compatibility.
3 credits
10-201-181
Introduction to Design Software
An introduction to professional software used in the preparation of digital files including photography, graphic design, layout, typography and illustration using Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. This is a foundation course for web, print, new media and other communication graphics. This course used to be named Intro to Computer Graphics.
3 credits
10-801-195
Written Communication
Develops workplace writing skills which include prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. A variety of writing assignments are designed to help the learner analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas, and format and design documents based on workplace subject matter and content.
3 credits
Second Semester
10-104-169
Digital Marketing
This introductory course is designed to acquaint students with the basic foundations of digital marketing as part of a strategic marketing plan. Emphasis is to search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), social media, website marketing, and email marketing strategy with content development. The course also examines consumer trust, legal and ethical issues, and future trends in digital including the role of AI in digital marketing. Prepare for SEO certification exam.
3 credits
10-201-156
Front-End Web Design
Students will continue to master HTML and CSS, with an introduction to Javascript and other programming languages. Creative, hands-on projects will be designed and programmed for a front-end, user interface context.
3 credits
10-201-178
Advanced UX/UI Design
This advanced-level course consists of a variety of User Interface (UI) design projects that utilize students' UX Design and Visual Design skillsets. There is an emphasis on project management and working independently with strong time management skills. Students will document their projects with comprehensive case-studies to further develop their own portfolios.
3 credits
10-201-182
Advanced Design Software
This course moves beyond the aesthetic and technical expectations of introductory computer graphics to expand student knowledge and skills in professional design software (Adobe Creative Cloud). Students will concentrate on advanced techniques, efficient workflows, file organization, and current applications to create various projects emphasizing original concepts, strong images, type integration, and preparing files for print and screen.
3 credits
10-801-196
Oral/Interpersonal Communication
Focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication.
3 credits
Third Semester
10-201-132
Designing for Development
In this advanced course, students will build on prior learning to master preparing digital designs for developer handoff. Students will explore file organization, structuring, industry-standard terminology, and effective workflow and collaboration techniques, ensuring clear communication between designers and developers to create impactful, functional digital products.
3 credits
10-201-158
Advanced Digital Design
This course introduces students to working in a contemporary digital workflow and provides a studio-like experience. Students will focus on concept, user experience, and most importantly, design execution. They will use the skills they have acquired and work to develop real-world design solutions for a variety of digital mediums.
2 credits
10-201-195
Advanced Digital Development
This course will explore building web sites using Content Management Systems. It will introduce the basics of both WordPress.com (cloud hosted), and WordPress.org (self-hosted). Students will learn now to publish posts and pages, work with themes, employ widgets, create custom menus, activate plugins, and utilize page templates. Students will also build their own page designs from scratch. The course requires text editing software, ftp software, Adobe Create Cloud, and the current version of WordPress. Students are required to acquire server space to host their work.
3 credits
10-206-129
Motion Design
Learn animation and movement for time-based media, with an emphasis on communication design. Students use Adobe After Effects to integrate typography, illustration, video, and audio files to create industry relevant projects. Concept development, file management, character animation, transitions, and rendering for multiple output types will be covered in detail.
2 credits
10-804-123
Math with Business Applications
This course integrates algebraic concepts, proportions, percents, simple interest, compound interest, annuities, and basic statistics with business/consumer scenarios. It also applies math concepts to the purchasing/buying and selling processes.
3 credits
Fourth Semester
10-201-162
Portfolio Preparation
Students prepare a portfolio of their work and various business materials to apply for employment. Students are supervised and assisted in choice and number of samples, and portfolio layout. Lectures are given on job interviewing and job markets. Faculty approval of a finished portfolio is required for graduation.
2 credits
10-201-173
Project Management for Digital Designers
Learn the essentials of project management methodologies, tailored for digital designers. Topics include examining processes, navigating proposals and contracts, managing budgets and timelines, allocating resources, and refining client communication. Students will gain strategies to effectively manage design projects and deliver timely, professional-quality deliverables.
2 credits
10-201-185
User Experience and Interaction Design (UX/IxD) Capstone
Students showcase their expertise in this culminating course. Apply advanced user experience (UX) and interaction design (ID) principles to a comprehensive project, collaborating with peers to create innovative, user-centered solutions while demonstrating industry-ready skills.
2 credits
10-809-197
Contemporary American Society
This is an interdisciplinary course covering issues that illustrate how our traditional institutions (such as family, education, media, the workplace, the economy and government) are being changed by global political, demographic, multicultural and technological trends. By exploring contemporary issues, students expand their use of critical-thinking skills.
3 credits
10-809-199
Psychology Of Human Relations
This course explores the relationship between general psychological principles and our everyday lives. Students are given the opportunity to achieve a deepened sense of awareness of themselves and others. This understanding is applied to human relations at home and on the job.
3 credits
Elective
3 credits
Recommended Electives
10-201-121
Graphic Design Workshop
Explore the role, meaning and making of graphic design in our society. The course covers icons and symbols, logos and identity, pattern, texture, layout, design trends, design history, resources for designers as well as the professional practices and the field of graphic design today. Projects cover a range of applications, with emphasis on concept, process, presentation and communication.
3 credits
10-201-151
Typography
This class is an investigation of all things type related. Students will develop an eye for type and understand how to use it effectively in their design work. Topics include the principles of good typography, type terminology and history, font selection and pairing, letter, word and line spacing, typographic hierarchy, paragraphs and layout, character and paragraph styles, using a grid, trends in typography and the importance of type as the foundation of visual communication.
3 credits
10-104-114
Social Media Marketing
This course provides an overview of the impact of social media technologies on marketing strategies. Current social media tools/platforms and their business applications, strategy insights, creative, and ethics will be covered along with the development of a social media marketing plan.
3 credits
10-104-115
Capstone Campaign
In this hands-on course, students will leverage modern advertising mediums to research, design, and execute a multi-media campaign from the ground up. Prior knowledge of traditional and digital media, along with proficiency in design tools is required. As a project-based class, extensive work outside of class hours is expected to bring campaigns to life.
3 credits
10-152-119
Introduction to Programming with JavaScript
This hands-on programming course introduces fundamental software development practices using JavaScript. You’ll learn to think like a developer—designing algorithms, writing clean, modular code, testing thoroughly, and debugging effectively—while adhering to industry standards and best practices. Through a mix of design documentation, coding assignments, code reviews, and self-reflection, you’ll build from simple functions and variable management up to complete programs that solve real-world problems.
3 credits
10-106-100
Mindset for Success
Designed to foster the attitudes and skills that can inspire and empower you throughout your career regardless of your chosen path. Develop and improve skills in creativity, ambition, critical thinking, innovation, opportunistic thinking, and teamwork through experiential and problem-solving approaches. Become an engaged workplace contributor and develop a workforce-ready mindset.
3 credits
How to Apply
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
If you are an international student and want to apply to Madison College, or transfer your F-1 student visa here, check program availability and then complete the International Admission Process.
Application Dates
Fall 2026
Application open
Application completion deadline is August 31, 2026
Fall 2027
Application available on October 15, 2026
Application completion deadline is August 31, 2027
Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admission Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
2. Education Completion
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
GED/HSED completion
College transcript or Madison College experience showing:
Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes
Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll. Admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses. See the Curriculum section for the list of courses for the program.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your User Experience and Interaction Design (UX/IxD) career.
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Career Outcomes
The User Experience and Interaction Design Associates Degree will ready you to take on a variety of roles in the design and tech industries, including:
UX/UI or Product Designer, creating seamless, user-friendly digital experiences by combining user research, interaction design and visual aesthetics to enhance usability and engagement.
UX Designer, improving user experience through research, testing and iterative design.
Interaction Designer, focusing on interactive elements to enhance digital engagement.
UI Designer, creating visually compelling and user-friendly interfaces.
Information Architect, structuring content for easy navigation and accessibility.
Web Designer, designing responsive, visually appealing websites.
Front-End Designer, translating design concepts into functional digital experiences.