User Experience & Interaction Design BS / Design MS
Major: User Experience & Interaction Design and Design
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS) & Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 232.0
Co-op Options: Three Co-ops (Six years)
About the Program
The MS in Design is a natural extension to the undergraduate User Experience & Interaction Design (UXID) degree, preparing graduates to thrive in the rapidly changing technology industry.
In the UXID program, students build a solid foundation in user-centered design, starting with UX research and design, then adding coding and development skills, and finally refining their understanding of user experience design in cooperative experiences that integrate classroom learning with real-world projects.
The MS in Design builds on this foundation, offering a flexible, evidence-based approach to advanced design practice. Students learn how to combine research, strategy, and creative problem-solving to address complex challenges across industries. With a self-tailored curriculum and a strong focus on social impact, sustainability, and future technologies, the program empowers students to become leaders in design innovation.
Together, this BS/MS pathway blends hands-on experience, interdisciplinary collaboration, and rigorous research. Graduates emerge ready to create human-centered solutions that shape the future—whether in tech, product development, or emerging fields at the intersection of design and technology.
Additional Information
For more information about the BS UXID program, please contact Troy Finamore at twf23@drexel.edu.
For more information about the MS Design program, please contact Diana Nicholas at dsn35@drexel.edu.
Admission Requirements
Students who wish to enter the accelerated program are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and between 70 and 120 credits of completed undergraduate coursework.
Acceptance into the accelerated program is decided by the program director of the Design MS program in consultation with the undergraduate program director in Interactive Digital Media as well as the Department’s Graduate Admissions Committee.
Main criterium for acceptance is an evaluation of the student’s prior academic performance and the student’s likelihood of success within the program.
Degree Requirements
| General Education Requirements | ||
| CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
| COM 230 | Techniques of Speaking | 3.0 |
| COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development * | 1.0 |
| ENGL 101 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research | 3.0 |
| or ENGL 111 | English Composition I | |
| ENGL 102 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing | 3.0 |
| or ENGL 112 | English Composition II | |
| ENGL 103 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres | 3.0 |
| or ENGL 113 | English Composition III | |
| MATH 119 | Mathematical Foundations for Design | 4.0 |
| PHIL 105 | Critical Reasoning | 3.0 |
| PHYS 170 | Electricity and Motion | 3.0 |
| PHYS 171 | Computational Lab for Electricity and Motion | 1.0 |
| PSY 330 | Cognitive Psychology | 3.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 2.0 |
| Arts and Humanities electives | ||
| Select 6.0 credits from the following 100-400 level courses (including T380 and T480): | 6.0 | |
Any AFAS (Africana Studies) | ||
Any ARTH (Art History) | ||
Any ARCH (Architecture) | ||
Any COM (Communication) | ||
Any DANC (Dance) | ||
Any ENGL (English) | ||
Any FMST (Film Studies) | ||
Any GST (Global Studies) | ||
Any HIST (History) | ||
Any INTR (Interior Design) | ||
Any IST (International Studies) | ||
Any JWST (Jewish Studies) | ||
Any LANG (Language) | ||
Any MENA (Middle East & North Africa Studies) | ||
Any MUSC (Music) | ||
Any PHIL (Philosophy) | ||
Any PHTO (Photography) | ||
Any PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) | ||
Any PBHL(Public Health) | ||
Any RELS (Religious Studies) | ||
Any SCRP (Screenwriting & Playwriting) | ||
Any THTR (Theater) | ||
Any TVST (Television Studies) | ||
Any VSCM (Graphic Desisgn) | ||
Any WGST (Women's and Gender Studies) | ||
Any WRIT (Writing) | ||
| Literature (ENGL) elective (100-499) | 3.0 | |
| Natural Science Elective | 3.0 | |
| Social Science electives | ||
| Select 7.0 credits from the following 100-400 level courses (including T380 and T480): | 7.0 | |
Any AFAS (Africana Studies) | ||
Any ANTH (Anthropology) | ||
Any CJS (Criminology and Justice Studies) | ||
Any CS (Computer Science) | ||
Any ECON (Economics) | ||
Any ENSS (Environmental Studies & Sustainability) | ||
Any ENVS (Environmental Science) | ||
Any PSY (Psychology) | ||
Any PBHL (Public Health) | ||
Any SOC (Sociology) | ||
Any WGST (Women's and Gender Studies) | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Select any unrestricted 099-499 courses | 24.0 | |
| Art and Art History Requirements | ||
| ARTH 300 | History of Modern Design | 3.0 |
| VSST 107 | Introduction to Design for Media | 3.0 |
| VSST 110 | Introductory Drawing | 3.0 |
| ARTH Elective | 3.0 | |
| ARTH Elective | 3.0 | |
| Media Requirements | ||
| ANIM 115 | Introduction to Production with Animation & VFX | 3.0 |
| EAM 211 | Strategic Management for Entertainment and Arts Management | 3.0 |
| INFO 110 | Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction | 3.0 |
| PHTO 110 | Photography | 3.0 |
| PROD 214 | Human Factors | 3.0 |
| PROD 215 | Design Thinking in Product Design | 4.0 |
| VSCM 230 | Visual Communication I | 4.0 |
| WEST 107 | Maker Workshop | 3.0 |
| Digital Media Core Requirements | ||
| DIGM 105 | Overview of Digital Media | 3.0 |
| DIGM 475 | Seminar: The Future of Digital Media | 3.0 |
| User Experience Requriements | ||
| UXID 111 | User Experience Research | 3.0 |
| UXID 121 | User Experience Design I | 3.0 |
| UXID 122 | User Experience Design II | 3.0 |
| UXID 231 | Web Authoring I | 3.0 |
| UXID 232 | Web Authoring II | 3.0 |
| UXID 233 | Web Scripting I | 3.0 |
| UXID 241 | Web Scripting II | 3.0 |
| UXID 391 | UX Project I | 8.0 |
| UXID 392 | UX Project II | 8.0 |
| UXID 401 | Professional Practices in UX | 3.0 |
| UXID 490 | UX Senior Project | 9.0 |
| Select five (5) of the following: | 15.0 | |
| Digital Cultural Heritage | ||
| Explorations in New Media | ||
| Content Strategies for Digital Products | ||
Scripting | ||
| Scripting for Accessibility | ||
| Scripting for Microinteractions | ||
| Web App Scripting I | ||
| Web App Scripting II | ||
| Internet of Things | ||
| Native App Scripting I | ||
| Native App Scripting II | ||
| Artificial Intelligence for Creative Media | ||
| Gamification for UX | ||
| API-Driven Web Applications with CMSs | ||
| User Interface Design for Immersive Media | ||
UI/UX | ||
| User Interface Design Styles & Trends | ||
| User Interface Design Patterns & Systems | ||
| Interaction Design | ||
| User Interface Design for Accessibility | ||
| Product Management for UX | ||
| User Research Methodologies | ||
| Storytelling for User Experience | ||
| UX Experience Mapping | ||
| Validating Product Ideas | ||
| UX Design for Behavioral Change | ||
Other | ||
| Independent Study in User Experience and Interaction Design | ||
| Independent Study in User Experience and Interaction Design | ||
| Independent Study in User Experience and Interaction Design | ||
| Special Topics in User Experience and Interaction Design | ||
| Special Topics in User Experience and Interaction Design | ||
| Special Topics in User Experience and Interaction Design | ||
| Design MS Graduate Requirements | ||
| DSRE 620 | Design Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| DSRE 625 | Technologies of Making | 3.0 |
| DSRE 630 | Data Visualization for Design Professionals | 3.0 |
| DSRE 635 | Translational Design Research | 3.0 |
| DSRE 641 | Contemporary Design Theory | 3.0 |
| DSRE 645 | Design Research Thesis Proposal | 3.0 |
| DSRE 650 | Thesis Research and Practicum | 3.0 |
| DSRE 750 | Thesis in Design Research I | 3.0 |
| DSRE 760 | Thesis in Design Research II | 3.0 |
| DSRE 770 | Thesis in Design Research III | 3.0 |
| Design History or Research Option | ||
| Select one of the following: ** | 3.0 | |
| History of Modern Design | ||
| Research Methods in Communication, Culture and Media | ||
| Research Methods and Assessment of Creative and Innovative Thinking | ||
| Research Methods I | ||
| Contemporary Art Issues | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 15.0 credits from the following 500-600 level courses (including I599, I699, T580, T680: T480): | 15.0 | |
Any AS-I (Arts & Sciences Interdisciplinary Studies) | ||
Any CRTV (Creativity Studies) | ||
Any DIGM (Digital Media) | ||
Any DSRE (Design Research) | ||
Any ENTP (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) | ||
Any ENVS (Environmental Science) | ||
Any EPI (Epidemiology) | ||
Any FASH (Fashion Design) | ||
Any INFO (Information Science & Systems) | ||
Any PBHL (Public Health) | ||
Any RMER (Retail Merchandising) | ||
Any UXID (User Experience) | ||
| Total Credits | 232.0 | |
- *
Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.
COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.
- **
Or other course with advisor approval
Sample Plan of Study
5 year, 3 co-op
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENGL 101 or ENGL 111 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research or English Composition I | 3.0 |
| INFO 110 | Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction | 3.0 |
| PHIL 105 | Critical Reasoning | 3.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| UXID 111 | User Experience Research | 3.0 |
| VSST 107 | Introduction to Design for Media | 3.0 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| ENGL 102 or ENGL 112 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing or English Composition II | 3.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| UXID 121 | User Experience Design I | 3.0 |
| VSCM 230 | Visual Communication I | 4.0 |
| VSST 110 | Introductory Drawing | 3.0 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
| COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development | 1.0 |
| DIGM 105 | Overview of Digital Media | 3.0 |
| ENGL 103 or ENGL 113 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres or English Composition III | 3.0 |
| MATH 119 | Mathematical Foundations for Design | 4.0 |
| UXID 122 | User Experience Design II | 3.0 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| VACATION | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 170 | Electricity and Motion | 3.0 |
| PHYS 171 | Computational Lab for Electricity and Motion | 1.0 |
| PROD 215 | Design Thinking in Product Design | 4.0 |
| UXID 231 | Web Authoring I | 3.0 |
| UXID 233 | Web Scripting I | 3.0 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| PHTO 110 | Photography | 3.0 |
| UXID 232 | Web Authoring II | 3.0 |
| UXID 241 | Web Scripting II | 3.0 |
| WEST 107 | Maker Workshop | 3.0 |
| (UG) UXID Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Summer | ||
| COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ANIM 115 | Introduction to Production with Animation & VFX | 3.0 |
| EAM 211 | Strategic Management for Entertainment and Arts Management | 3.0 |
| PSY 330 | Cognitive Psychology | 3.0 |
| UXID 391 | UX Project I | 4.0 |
| (UG) UXID Elective | 3.0 | |
| (UG) Free Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 19 | |
| Winter | ||
| ARTH 300 | History of Modern Design | 3.0 |
| PROD 214 | Human Factors | 3.0 |
| UXID 392 | UX Project II | 4.0 |
| (UG) Math & Natural Science Elective | 3.0 | |
| (UG) UXID Elective | 3.0 | |
| (UG) Free Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 19 | |
| Spring | ||
| COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Summer | ||
| COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COM 230 | Techniques of Speaking | 3.0 |
| UXID 391 | UX Project I | 4.0 |
| (UG) ARTH Elective | 3.0 | |
| (UG) UXID Elective | 3.0 | |
| (UG) Free Elective | 3.0 | |
| ARTH 530 | History of Modern Design or Research Methods in Communication, Culture and Media or Research Methods and Assessment of Creative and Innovative Thinking or Research Methods I or Quantitative Methods & Reasoning for Urban Strategists or Contemporary Art Issues | 3.0 |
| Credits | 19 | |
| Winter | ||
| DIGM 475 | Seminar: The Future of Digital Media | 3.0 |
| UXID 392 | UX Project II | 4.0 |
| (UG) ARTH Elective | 3.0 | |
| (UG) UXID Elective | 3.0 | |
| (UG) Free Elective | 3.0 | |
| DSRE 630 | Data Visualization for Design Professionals | 3.0 |
| Credits | 19 | |
| Spring | ||
| COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Summer | ||
| COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| UXID 401 | Professional Practices in UX | 3.0 |
| UXID 490 | UX Senior Project | 3.0 |
| (UG) Arts & Humanities Elective | 3.0 | |
| (UG) Social Science Elective | 4.0 | |
| DSRE 620 | Design Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| DSRE 625 | Technologies of Making | 3.0 |
| Credits | 19 | |
| Winter | ||
| UXID 490 | UX Senior Project (3) | 3.0 |
| (UG) Arts & Humanities Elective | 3.0 | |
| (UG) Social Science Elective | 3.0 | |
| (UG) Free Elective | 3.0 | |
| (UG) Free Elective | 3.0 | |
| DSRE 635 | Translational Design Research | 3.0 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| UXID 490 | UX Senior Project (3) | 3.0 |
| (UG) ENGL Elective | 3.0 | |
| (UG) Free Elective | 3.0 | |
| (UG) Free Elective | 3.0 | |
| DSRE 645 | Design Research Thesis Proposal | 3.0 |
| DSRE 650 | Thesis Research and Practicum | 3.0 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Summer | ||
| STUDENT CONVERTS TO GRADUATE STATUS | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Sixth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| DSRE 750 | Thesis in Design Research I | 3.0 |
| (GR) Elective | 3.0 | |
| (GR) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Winter | ||
| DSRE 760 | Thesis in Design Research II | 3.0 |
| (GR) Elective | 3.0 | |
| (GR) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| DSRE 641 | Contemporary Design Theory | 3.0 |
| DSRE 770 | Thesis in Design Research III | 3.0 |
| (GR) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 232 | |
- *
Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.
COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.