User Experience (UX) Design

Question 1

Are these classes transferable?

Accepted Answer

UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies is not a degree granting institution, however many UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies courses can be transferred to other colleges or universities.

The transferability of credit is determined solely by the receiving institution. Students should discuss how your individual courses will transfer with the Office of the Registrar at the receiving institution prior to enrolling.

Quarter to Semester Unit Conversion

If the receiving institution operates on a semester system, credits will be converted to semester hours during their evaluation. As a general rule, quarter credits are converted to semester credits by dividing the number of quarter credits by 1.5. For example, if the student completed a course worth 4 quarter credits at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, the course would be worth 4 ÷ 1.5 = 2.66 semester credits.

Question 2

Can I register for the certificate program at any time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you may enroll in the program at any time. However, it is recommended that you enroll as soon as possible. The program curriculum may be updated at any time; if certificate requirements change, you must adhere to the curriculum at the time of your enrollment into the certificate. Enrolling in the certificate also gives you access to quarterly, personalized enrollment reminders from the program manager.

Question 3

Can I take a course without registering for the certificate?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you may take any course in this program without registering for the certificate, provided you have fulfilled any and all prerequisites for the course.

Question 4

Do you provide job or internship placement?

Accepted Answer

No, we do not currently offer job placement assistance or internships.

Question 5

How are online classes formatted?

Accepted Answer

The online courses are asynchronous: they have a start and end date but all the lessons are uploaded on Canvas, our online learning management system, so you can learn at your own pace. However, please be aware that you may have weekly assignments, quizzes, or tests that are due on specific dates.

Question 6

How do I apply to the certificate program?

Accepted Answer

STEP 1: If you have a My Extension student account, skip to Step 2. If you do not have a My Extension account, go to myextension.ucsd.edu, click "Create an account" on the right side of the page, and follow the instructions to create an account. Once you have a My Extension account, continue to Step 2.

STEP 2: Click on the "Apply Now" button on the certificate page. Complete the required fields on the application. Then click the "Save" button. Once you have saved the application, the "Submit" button will appear. Click on the "Submit" button to submit your application for review and consideration. Once submitted, your application cannot be changed. You can track the progress of your application at My Extension.

Question 7

How do I communicate with a course instructor if I have a question during the course?

Accepted Answer

Each instructor has his/her own preferred method of communication and response policy, which will be detailed on the course syllabus. However, most instructors utilize email or the discussion board and will respond within 24-48 hours.

Question 8

How do I get my certificate once I have completed the requirements?

Accepted Answer

When you have paid your certificate fee and successfully completed all program requirements, you will need to request an audit by Student Services. To request an audit:

In your My Extension account, click on “My Courses.”
On the right side of the page under “My Certificates,” click on the name of the certificate.
On the right side of the page under “Tools,” click on “Request Certificate Audit.”
Complete and submit the form that appears.

Once you have formally submitted your audit request, your certificate will be mailed to the address we have on file for you within ten business days.

Question 9

How many hours can I expect to spend studying outside of class time?

Accepted Answer

Each student has their own learning style so this can vary greatly. As a rule of thumb, expect to spend an average of two hours studying for every hour you spend in-class. For online courses, students should plan to spend approximately 8-10 hours per week viewing lectures and completing coursework.

Question 10

Is financial assistance available?

Accepted Answer

UCSD Diego Division of Extended Studies offers continuing education loans through UC Approved Lenders. Each institution offers low competitive interest rates and flexible payment options. You are also encouraged to contact your personal financial institution about possible lending solutions. Direct links to UC Approved Lenders can be found on our website’s Financial Resources page.
The Employment Development Department (EDD) provides a comprehensive range of employment and training services in partnership with state and local agencies/organizations. More information is available on their website at edd.ca.gov.
Career Centers Located throughout San Diego County offer their communities comprehensive employment and training services benefiting both business and job seekers. More information is available on their website at workforce.org.
Please click here for information about Veteran’s Benefits.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) funds are limited to degree programs only, and cannot be used for courses or certificate fees at UCSD Diego Division of Extended Studies.

Question 11

What are the instructors’ credentials?

Accepted Answer

The program courses are taught by seasoned professionals and overseen by an advisory board of leaders in the field. You can view the advisor list under the &ldquo;Advisors&rdquo; section on this certificate page. You can find information about a course instructor, including a biography and credentials, on the course page.

Question 12

When is the refund deadline for courses?

Accepted Answer

The refund deadline for courses in this program is typically 3 days after the start of the course. This allows you to enroll in a course and participate in the first class meeting to determine if the course is a good fit. Then, if needed, either you may either transfer your enrollment to a different course or submit a drop request by emailing Student Services at unex-reg@ucsd.edu. The exact refund deadline for each section is listed in the section notes on the course page in our website, and you can also find it in My Extension by clicking on “My Courses” and then the name of the course.

Question 13

If I work full-time, will I still be able to complete this program?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our programs are designed to be working-student friendly and most of our students are working professionals. The courses vary between two and three units, which amount to approximately 18-20 hours of class time for a two unit course and 27-30 hours of class time for a three unit course.

Question 14

Can this certificate program be completed entirely online?

Accepted Answer

Yes! This program is designed for you to take it online in the convenience of your own home or office. We are currently using Canvas as our online Learning Management System for all our online courses in this program. While students do not get access to their respective courses until the first day of the course, we encourage students who are new to Canvas to click on the following link to Canvas and Take the free tour of Canvas.

Question 15

Where are the live, elective classes held?

Accepted Answer

Our live, elective courses are held at our University City Center location. For directions please visit: https://extension.ucsd.edu/maps

Question 16

What are the attendance and participation requirements?

Accepted Answer

Students are expected to attend all class meetings, participate in class, and complete all homework assignments. Attendance is factored as a part of students&rsquo; final grades, and varies by instructor. Typically students can miss one class meeting without it impacting their final grade as long as they still complete their homework. Students who miss a class meeting should always reach out to their instructor regarding late work and homework.

Question 17

Why was my enrollment in a course blocked?

Accepted Answer

Enrollment in a class may be blocked in the following situations:

◦The class is closed (see FAQ on when enrollment closes).
◦The class is at capacity. If the class is at capacity you will only be able to join the waitlist.
◦The class is cancelled due to low enrollments.
◦The class has prerequisites that you have not completed yet.

For these reasons we recommend that you enroll early.

Question 18

What is the employment outlook for User Experience (UX) Designers?

Accepted Answer

The employment outlook for UX Designers over the next decade is very good. In 2015, CNN Money named User Experience Designers among the top 15 Best Jobs in America, with median pay of $89,300 and projected job growth of 18% in the next decade.

Question 19

Will I get any hands-on experience in the program?

Accepted Answer

Most courses combine theory with hands-on exercises. Our courses are taught by professionals who work in the field they teach, and will bring real-life projects and examples to your course.

Question 20

How long does it take to complete this certificate?

Accepted Answer

You officially have five years to complete all requirements for the certificate, although students can usually complete the entire program in 15-21 months by taking 1-2 courses per quarter.

Question 21

How much does this program cost?

Accepted Answer

All required courses cost $795 each. The estimated cost of the entire certificate program, not including certificate fee, enrollment fees, and textbooks/materials is $5,400.

Your mileage may vary depending on what electives you choose. How students pace their coursework may affect the program cost since many courses require software subscriptions, which are charged by month.

Students pay as they go when they register for classes, not in one lump sum.

Question 22

In what order should I take these courses?

Accepted Answer

Students must complete the first four required courses, as well as 6 units of electives, prior to enrolling in the capstone UX Portfolio course. All required courses must be taken in sequence and not simultaneously.

The UX Portfolio course may only be taken after the student has completed all required courses and electives. Please view individual course pages on our website for specific prerequisites.

Students may enroll concurrently in more than one course, however we recommend participating in the required certificate courses in the order listed on our certificate matrix above.

Certificate students should begin the program with Principles of User Experience (UX).

Question 23

How long is each course?

Accepted Answer

Three unit courses run for approximately 9 weeks; four unit courses run for approximately 10 weeks. For exact course dates of upcoming sections, visit the webpage of the course you are interested in taking on our website.

Question 24

Do I need to pay for parking?

Accepted Answer

Parking is free at our University City Center (UCC) location. Prior to your first class please register your car with this link.

Question 25

What class materials are used in my course?

Accepted Answer

Materials and software requirements vary by course. For details, check the course page.

Question 26

Can I transfer in any courses?

Accepted Answer

Students can transfer in up to two courses that match the content of our required courses. Please email unex-digital@ucsd.edu for more information about the transferability of previously completed courses.

Question 27

Additional questions?

Accepted Answer

For questions regarding our classes and certificates, please contact us at unex-digital@ucsd.edu or 858-534-5760.

Question 28

When should I enroll in my class(es)?

Accepted Answer

We recommend enrolling as soon as possible. Many of our core certificate courses may fill up before the course start date. Each quarter we also offer an early enrollment discount of $25 on select courses if you enroll by the discount deadline.
Students are advised to be enrolled no later than the day before the start date of the course.

Question 29

Is the program accredited?

Accepted Answer

UC San Diego is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies - like all other UC San Diego schools, colleges, and departments - is accredited by WASC through the University. All courses and certificate programs offered by UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies have been developed and are administered in accordance with Extension policy and the regulations of the Academic Senate of the University of California.

Question 30

Is there an application fee for the certificate program?

Accepted Answer

Current application or certificate enrollment fees, if any, are listed under the &ldquo;Apply Now&rdquo; button on the certificate page on our website.

Question 31

Is this certificate program open to non-California residents?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the program is open to non-California residents, including non-US residents. The tuition is the same for all students. If you have questions about how enrolling in courses may or may not affect your visa status, please contact our International Department at ipinfo@ucsd.edu or (858) 534-6784.

Question 32

When will I have access to my online course?

Accepted Answer

If you have enrolled at least three days before the course begins, you will have access starting on the first day of class. You should receive an email from Student Services with instructions for how to login to the course. If you have enrolled on or after the start date of the course, you will have access to the course within one business day.

You will have access to the online Canvas course on the official start date of the class/exam/info session. Access will be available at 12:01am Pacific Time.

Enrollment to online classes can take up to 24 hours to process and sync up to our online platform, Canvas. For example, if a class started on Tuesday and that is the day a student enrolled, they will likely not have full access to the class until 24 hours later on Wednesday.

Question 33

What are the grading options for courses?

Accepted Answer

You may take a course for one of three options: Letter Grade, Pass/No Pass, or Not for Credit. If you are taking a course towards a certificate you must complete your courses for credit (i.e. Pass/No Pass or Letter Grade) and receive a C-/Pass or higher grade. Grades below a C-, No Pass, and Not for Credit will not count towards certificate requirements.

Question 34

I am in high school. Can I take any of these courses?

Accepted Answer

If you are interested in taking courses at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, you will need to obtain written approval from your school principal or counselor. The approval must be signed and printed on school letterhead, and must be included with your registration. If you are homeschooled, your approval needs to be signed by your contact in your local school district.

The letter should verify that you, the student, have the maturity and academic readiness to attend a post-baccalaureate level or college-level course.

Approvals can be emailed to unex-reg@ucsd.edu.

We are unable to accept letters signed by your parent, even if your parent is your teacher and/or school administrator. If you have taken community college courses, an official transcript from that college verifying coursework will be accepted in lieu of a letter from your high school or district. College transcripts must reflect a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

**Please note that some courses may address adult themes or use nude models.

User Experience (UX) Design

About the User Experience (UX) Design Program

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