user research graduate

User Experience, Master of Science

User Experience

Master of Science

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Credit Hour

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Admissions requirements.

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Program Overview

The Department of Information and Media offers a fully online, asynchronous masters-level program in User Experience (UX) to accelerate career prospects of early and mid-career professionals for leadership roles. UX focuses on humans interacting with technologies, as well as business goals, during the design process to create user-centered and socially responsive interactive technologies, applications, and information systems. The program enables students to earn a masters from one of the world’s leading programs without the expense and overall challenges associated with leaving their home or job. The 30-credit program emphasizes a “user-first” perspective, meaning it integrates knowledge of human-computer interaction with industry-relevant methods and social responsibility to prepare students for real-world experiences in the workplace, including technical and/or management careers in user-first experience design and human-centered research.

Program Outcomes

This premier online graduate user experience program combines user-first theoretical and practical knowledge of experience design that will help students build their skills and expertise to become champions of change, drivers of innovation, and creators of sustainable user experiences and engagements. With a Master of Science in User Experience from MSU, graduates will be prepared to:

• Become a UX leader, driving the technology behind product design and marketing
• Qualify for UX job roles such as designer, researcher, or project manager
• Design more usable and accessible websites, software, and products for diverse audiences
• Collect, analyze, and interpret user experience data to inform decision making
• Advance dynamic IT developments in the 21st century global workplace

Career Outlook

The User Experience program will position students for rewarding, well-paying careers in human-computer interaction, user experience design, and human-centered research. Graduates will have job titles that reflect the major UX areas:

• UX Design: UX designer, experience designer, interaction designer, or information architect
• UX Strategist: UX strategist, UX architect, UX product manager, or UX analyst
• Visual Design: Visual information designer, user interface (UI) designer, UI artist, or digital designer
• Research and Usability: UX researcher or usability researcher/specialist/analyst
• Content: Content strategist or UX copywriter

A Top-Ranked Education

• 31st among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
• A Top 100 Global University — Times Higher Education and U.S. News & World Report

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Jeff  Siarto

Interim program director of ux, ms.

Jeff is a UI/UX designer, author, and technologist with over 15 years of experience building web and software user interfaces. Since 2013 he’s been working with NASA and other organizations to help make remote sensing and Earth Science data more usable and actionable for scientists, engineers, and the general public.

UX 800 - User Research and Design, 3 credits

UX 802 - Current Topics in UX, 3 credits

UX 805 - Quantitative Analysis and Insights in UX, 3 credits

UX 810 - Social Science for Design, 3 credits

UX 815 - Programming Fundamentals for UX, 3 credits

UX 820 - Usability Evaluation, 3 credits

UX 825 - Visual Design Fundamentals, 3 credits

UX 830 - Design for Interactivity, 3 credits

UX 835 - Accessibility and Design, 3 credits

UX 840 - UX and Society, 3 credits

UX 898 - User Experience Capstone/Practicum, 3 credits

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

• A bachelor's degreefrom a recognized, accredited educational institution (Minimum of 3.0 undergraduate GPA). No GRE required.
• Previous work experience preferred (Résumé/CV, portfolio is optional)
• TOEFL/IELTS scores if English is not your native language
• A written personal statement detailing your professional interests and goals
• Letter of recommendation
• Official transcripts from all previous schools

To apply to this program:

• Complete a departmental and university graduate application 
• Submit all official transcripts

Fall Semester

Application Deadline

Spring Semester

December 10th

Tuition & Fees per credit

The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible.

The MSU Value Promise

You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.

As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.

MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.

MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.

MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.

Continuing education  can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals.  With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.

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The School of Information is UC Berkeley’s newest professional school. Located in the center of campus, the I School is a graduate research and education community committed to expanding access to information and to improving its usability, reliability, and credibility while preserving security and privacy.

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The School of Information offers four degrees:

The Master of Information Management and Systems (MIMS) program educates information professionals to provide leadership for an information-driven world.

The Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) is an online degree preparing data science professionals to solve real-world problems. The 5th Year MIDS program is a streamlined path to a MIDS degree for Cal undergraduates.

The Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS) is an online degree preparing cybersecurity leaders for complex cybersecurity challenges.

Our Ph.D. in Information Science is a research program for next-generation scholars of the information age.

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The School of Information's courses bridge the disciplines of information and computer science, design, social sciences, management, law, and policy. We welcome interest in our graduate-level Information classes from current UC Berkeley graduate and undergraduate students and community members.  More information about signing up for classes.

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Research by faculty members and doctoral students keeps the I School on the vanguard of contemporary information needs and solutions.

The I School is also home to several active centers and labs, including the Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC) , the Center for Technology, Society & Policy , and the BioSENSE Lab .

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I School graduate students and alumni have expertise in data science, user experience design & research, product management, engineering, information policy, cybersecurity, and more — learn more about hiring I School students and alumni .

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The Goldman School of Public Policy, the CITRIS Policy Lab, and the School of Information hosted the inaugural UC...

Dr. Diag Davenport has been appointed as an assistant professor at UC Berkeley as part of a joint search in...

At the Women in Data Science conference held at UC Berkeley this past week, four educators affiliated with the...

When the Bancroft Library received over 100,000 Japanese-American internment “individual record” forms (WRA-26) from...

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Morgan Ames

Jenna Burrell

Kimiko Ryokai

Recent publications.

When you go to a new healthcare clinic in the United States, doctors and nurses pull up your patient record based on your name and birthdate.  Sometimes it’s not your chart they pull up.  This is not only a healthcare problem; it’s a data science problem.

In The Charisma Machine , Morgan Ames chronicles the life and legacy of the One Laptop per Child project and explains why — despite its failures — the same utopian visions that inspired OLPC still motivate other projects trying to use technology to “disrupt” education and development.

User Experience Research news

A group of researchers, including the I School’s own Professor Kimiko Ryokai, recently received a grant of $1.29M from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to tackle this challenge.

Would you prefer a chart or text when being presented with information? Ph.D. student Chase Stokes has dedicated his studies to answering this question.

ScholarPhi is an augmented reading interface that makes scientific papers more understandable and contextually rich

Professors Hany Farid and Joshua Blumenstock have been awarded seed funding for their projects designed to mitigate the COVID-19 crisis by CITRIS and the Banatao Institute.

Prof. Farid: “Coronavirus misinformation is going to get a lot of people killed.”

I School researchers have developed a custom-fit earpiece that that can capture “passthoughts” through brainwave signals from the ear canal, and for the first time demonstrated one-step three-factor authentication.

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Master of Human-Computer Interaction

The longest-running and most impactful Master of Human-Computer Interaction in the world.

The Master of Human-Computer Interaction (MHCI) program at Carnegie Mellon University is the first program in the world dedicated to preparing professionals for careers related to human-computer interaction, user experience design and user-centered research.

The MHCI program integrates service and design thinking into a rigorous HCI curriculum that prepares our students to design and guide the future of human and technology interactions.  

About the MHCI Program

• The MHCI program is a three-semester program completed over the course of a full calendar year (August-August).
• It is a professional degree that prepares students for industry and a career related to user experience, human-computer interaction and beyond.
• Our program is interdisciplinary to its core. Each year, cohorts are made up of richly diverse student groups with varying degrees of industry experience and backgrounds in design, social science, business and computer science among many others.
• MHCI is led by faculty who are driving and defining the world of HCI. They bring together expertise in computer science, cognitive psychology, behavioral science, design and many are experts coming directly from industry. Our diverse range of faculty powers the interdisciplinary culture in the HCII.
• The flagship course of the MHCI program is the seven-month Capstone course, a research and design team project with an external industry client.
• MHCI is currently designated a STEM program.  

The MHCI Experience

During the first semester, students learn core HCI methodologies and techniques in the required classes, while customizing their academic experience from the immense selection of electives across all of the schools at Carnegie Mellon University.

While completing the second and third semesters, students continue their diverse electives and complete a substantial industry capstone project with an external client. Our alumni praise the capstone course as being one of the most instrumental courses in their academic career.

Since our first graduating class in 1997, we have graduated more than 1,200 MHCI students who are now defining the ways humans interact with technology. They are user researchers, experience designers, product managers, entrepreneurs and business owners, and software developers. More importantly, they are strategizing and defining the future of technology in companies around the world. Take a look at where our grads go after graduation on the Post-Graduation Outcomes Dashboard .

Application

The application for the next MHCI program cohort (2024-25) is now closed.

Please check back in Fall of 2024 when our next application season will begin.

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Nicole Willis MHCI Director of Student Affairs

Human-Computer Interaction Institute Carnegie Mellon University 300 S. Craig Street, Suite 209 Pittsburgh, PA 15213

[email protected] Phone: 412-268-7971 Fax: 412-268-9433

College of Professional Studies

The Graduate Certificate in Usability offers a flexible, practical pathway to gain experience in the rapidly growing field of usability and user experience.

A wide variety of industries—from computer software and hardware to biomedical and government agencies—recognize the importance of usability. As a result, there has been an increase in the demand for people with this knowledge. The Graduate Certificate in Usability provides you with the opportunity to learn about the top in-demand skills in this field, including usability testing, prototyping, and information architecture. You can also choose from focused electives that emphasize practical assignments to help get you up to speed with this rapidly growing field.

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Unique features.

• Offered 100% online
• Students can start any quarter, and can complete the program in as little as two quarters
• Flexible learning pathway; choose the electives that suit your learning objectives
• Emphasis on gaining practical experience with the latest usability tools and techniques

Looking for something different?

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

• Online application
• Unofficial undergraduate transcripts; official transcripts required at the time of admission
• Statement of purpose (500-1000 words): identifies your educational goals and expectations of the program; please be aware that the university's academic policy on plagiarism applies to your statement of purpose
• Professional resumé
• TOEFL requirement for nonnative English speakers

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Admissions Details Learn more about the College of Professional Studies admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:

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*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.

For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

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Northeastern's signature experience-powered learning model has been at the heart of the university for more than a century. It combines world-class academics with professional practice, allowing you to acquire relevant, real-world skills you can immediately put into action in your current workplace. This makes a Northeastern education a dynamic, transformative experience, giving you countless opportunities to grow as a professional and person.

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Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 13 campus locations, 300,000+ alumni, and 3,000 employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

Below is a look at where our Digital Media & Design alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.

Where They Work

What they do.

• Art and Design
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• Information Technology
• Media and Communication

What They're Skilled At

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Social Media
• Digital Media

Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on  Linkedin .

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• Berkeley Boot Camps

How to Become a UX Researcher — No Experience Needed

If you have a knack for understanding people and figuring out what makes them tick, a career in user experience (UX) research might just be the right fit for you. In this article, we’ll show you how to become a UX researcher and give you a few insights into what career training opportunities and job prospects are available in the field. 

7 Qualifications and Skills Needed to Become a UX Researcher:

• UX/Design Thinking
• User-Centered Design Research
• Persona Creation
• User Testing
• Soft Skills

Interested in not only learning these skills, but also putting them into practice? Berkeley UX/UI Boot Camp offers the hands-on experience you need to take the next step in your career. 

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Why UX Researchers Are in High Demand

UX researchers give businesses, designers and developers valuable insights into user behaviors and psychology; these detective-techies tease apart the rationales that drive people to think, feel and act in specific ways when encountering a website or an app or even a piece of software. It’s an exciting gig for the right person — so if you think you might be a good fit, keep reading.

User experience research has become crucial to running a successful modern business. As designer Jacob Gube explains in an article for Smashing Magazine , “Websites and Web applications have become progressively more complex as our industry’s technologies and methodologies advance […] but regardless of how much has changed in the production process, a website’s success still hinges on just one thing: how users perceive it.”

UX describes how people feel when they interact with a system or service and encompasses several factors including usability, design, marketing, accessibility, performance, comfort and utility. A person’s experience when they visit a website can dramatically impact and even change their perception of a company or a service — for better, and for worse. 

Think of a banking website. Consumers expect their virtual financial experiences to be crisp, intuitive and as formal as any in-person interactions would be at a physical branch. How odd and off-putting would it be to expect that level of professionalism and instead find the casual  quirkiness of a gaming website? What works for one audience and intent certainly won’t work for all!

As UX guru Don Norman once shared in an interview , “Everything has a personality; everything sends an emotional signal. Even where this was not the intention of the designer, the people who view the website infer personalities and experience emotions. Bad websites have horrible personalities and instill horrid emotional states in their users, usually unwittingly. We need to design things — products, websites, services — to convey whatever personality and emotions are desired.” 

This isn’t just theory; it’s backed up by facts. When companies invest in UX research and design, they tend to see higher levels of customer acquisition and retention as well as reduced support costs because their products and services are more intuitive and easy to use. These companies also tend to enjoy a higher share of the market for their industry. In 2018, researchers for McKinsey’s report on the business case for good design found that companies that scored in the top quartiles of the research firm’s Design Index outperformed industry benchmarks by two-to-one. As the report’s authors write, “Top-quartile MDI scorers increased their revenues and total returns to shareholders (TRS) substantially faster than their industry counterparts did over a five-year period — 32 percentage points higher revenue growth and 56 percentage points higher TRS growth for the period as a whole.”

Let’s talk about how you can become a UX researcher and kickstart your career in this high-potential field. 

What Do UX Researchers Do?

It’s a no-brainer: all businesses want to appeal to their customers. Their survival depends on doing so — and given this, companies have long tried to craft an experience that their customers find pleasant. With the meteoric rise of e-commerce and consumers’ increasing interest in living more of their lives online, UX research has become a specialized profession in its own right. In 2017, a research initiative that sought to investigate the business benefits of user research found that 49 percent of surveyed executives believed that UX research made their company more efficient, while 56 percent believed that it improved the quality of their products or services. 

These benefits are the result of UX researchers’ work to gather insights and information about what customers need, what they prefer and how they react. UX researchers use both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine and improve the user experience. These research methods encompass everything from simple online surveys to full-scale prototype designs. 

For example, UX researchers might use observation to determine user behaviors and feelings or understand consumers’ mental models (i.e., what they believe about the website or software). They might send out impersonal surveys to user groups, run face-to-face interviews with users of a site or product or carry out hands-on usability tests to assess customer preferences. Then, after the information-gathering phase is complete, UX researchers can analyze the collected data to identify patterns and trends that will then guide design and development decisions for digital products, software or websites. 

Qualifications and Skills Needed to Become a UX Researcher (That Employers Look For)

If you want to know how to become a user experience researcher, there are certain skills, qualifications and experience levels that are essential to this field. While clients, products and research goals vary widely across roles, all UX professionals need to master the fundamentals. Below, we’ve listed a few of the most important qualifications and skills to develop when considering how to become a user experience researcher.

1. UX/Design Thinking

Design thinking might have been developed in 1969, but it hasn’t faded with the times. If anything, our growing reliance on digital experiences has made the organizational framework more critical. A design thinking approach helps designers handle complex problems and keep the user in mind at all times. It forces a UX researcher to step into their target users’ metaphorical shoes and, in doing so, empowers them to predict, define and solve the issues users may face. UX research skills are a significant part of design thinking and are invaluable in analyzing user response throughout the process.

2. User-Centered Design Research

User-centered design aims to put a product’s end user at the center of all design plans. Rather than attempting to cast a wide net, this design philosophy homes in on a target user and allows developers to create a project with that ideal user’s needs, goals and preferences in mind. 

UX research is, as you might expect, a crucial part of this process. Without it, this type of design becomes mostly guesswork. Eventually, it devolves into an exploration of what the project’s developers think they would want as users — a dangerous shift, given that what appeals to the site developers might not align with the target user’s needs and preferences. The application of UX research skills is thus essential to the success of user-centered design plans. 

3. Persona Creation

Basic descriptions are all well and good, but when a researcher needs to define an ideal user, understanding how to apply their UX research skills to develop and use a persona is critical. A persona describes an imagined ideal or typical user of a website or product and empowers UX researchers to make sense of the information gathered through user research. A persona reflects the needs and wants of broad user groups by collating the attitudes, skills, technical background, patterns and environment of typical users. UX researchers for a banking app, for example, might build a persona that incorporates their customers’ likely financial knowledge or probable tech-savviness. A UX researcher may even opt to include direct user information, such as specific quotes obtained through user research, into their persona.

Keeping that persona in mind, UX researchers and developers can build empathy with their users and better understand their expectations and needs. Personas allow researchers to go beyond vague imaginations of what users might and might not like and narrow in on a user’s actual experience. When applied, these personas respond to the specific context of a site or piece of software, reflecting the real users of that product and giving designers more accurate insights into what does and doesn’t work well. 

4. UX Mapping

What does a user do, and when? If a UX designer doesn’t have a clear understanding of how consumers progress through a given app or website, they won’t know how to optimize the user’s journey. Mapping is a critical skill for UX researchers, as it allows them to use their collected observations to create an annotated timeline of a user’s journey. A UX map provides an expansive overview of user touchpoints. It demonstrates how decisions made at these touchpoints can create diverging decision “branches” and lead to positive or — depending on the “branch” — negative experiences. Having a visual representation of the highs and lows of a user’s journey can help UX professionals identify and address the touchpoints and decisions that spark poor experiences. 

5. User Testing

Every UX researcher needs to know how to conduct usability testing . While it can be tempting for companies to avoid spending the time — and the money — that proper user testing requires, investing in the process can help project developers avoid severe pitfalls and tailor the end product to user preferences. 

Put simply, user testing tells developers whether they’ve hit or missed the mark. The testing process gauges whether users can successfully navigate the site or app, complete essential tasks and receive the information they need. It flags common user errors and notes any features that, while intuitive for developers, routinely mystify end users. As a UX researcher, you might even test competitor products alongside your own to find out how users’ experiences differ between the two. When initiated early during the development process and repeated regularly, this type of UX research can help designers and developers produce a successful, user-intuitive product.

6. InVision

As in any specialized field, aspiring UX professionals must know the tools of their trade. Of particular note, the popular prototyping, workflow and collaboration app called InVision is a must-know skill for UX researchers . Imagine being able to create a prototype of your incomplete app, and having the ability to conduct user tests as if your users were working with the real, fully functioning website or app. The prototypes allow instant feedback, commenting and other specialized features that feed into an overall UX analysis. This interactive platform enables researchers to test the interactive parts of a site, rather than relying on screenshots, images or PDFs that do not fully replicate the final experience. InVision isn’t just a collaboration tool; it also provides fully featured design software and integrates with other popular products in Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite.

7. Soft Skills

Software skills and research aptitude will only ever get you so far in the job market. Soft skills — those concerned with being a good team member and professional — are just as vital as any niche technical capability. Given that learning from and listening to users is at the heart of UX, developing your empathy and ability to communicate is a must. If you can’t communicate well or maintain an open mind, you’ll never manage to see beyond your own opinions and identify what matters to your user. As odd as it might sound, learning how to be an empathetic, thoughtful and perceptive person may serve you better as a UX researcher than any technical guide. 

How to Acquire the Skills to Become a UX Researcher

When it comes to education, aspiring UX researchers have options. You don’t need to have years of experience in tech. Those in the social sciences, for example, are well-suited to UX research because the core competencies in both sectors overlap — though they often need to step up their working pace and alter their research methods to suit the tech sector’s fast pace. Similarly, professionals in marketing and communications fields often already have the user response and interaction training necessary to segue into UX research. 

As researcher Nikki Anderson shared in an article for UX Collective , “One of the number one questions I get every week are people asking me how to break into the field of user research from another role or right after graduating. I speak with people from all different disciplines, some closer to user research, such as marketing, psychology or design, and others further away, such as accountants or writers […] Getting into user research was one of the least straight-forward paths I have taken, and that is often the case for most people breaking into this field.”

Regardless of whether you’re just starting out or want to change your professional path, expanding your knowledge and skill set is essential to kickstarting a new career in UX research. Let’s dive into a few options that may help you gain the knowledge and experience you need to become a UX researcher. Ultimately it’s up to you to decide which ones works best for you.

While career interest in UX has grown, there are still relatively few undergraduate degree programs explicitly dedicated to UX research. There are master’s programs for the profession — but even those rarely require any background training in the discipline . That said, if you want to become a UX researcher and are planning on enrolling in a four-year undergraduate program, there are a few majors that will prepare you for the field. These include standby options from computer science and information systems to design, psychology and even anthropology. 

Of course, this is a better option for people who have never received a four-year degree or who have the time and money to go back to school full-time. People who have already graduated and want to stay in the workforce may look for other, faster options to explore this exciting career path.

UX/UI Boot Camps

Boot camps are another option that can help you complete a successful career transition into UX research. These short programs are designed to provide an intensive educational experience and quick entry into tech hiring pools. They are well-suited to learners who have either already left university or don’t have the time to enroll in a four-year degree program. Because boot camps offer a variety of full-time, part-time and online options, they tend to also be more flexible for those who need to juggle working or family responsibilities during their academic journey. Such programs have seen a meteoric rise over the last several years; between 2018 and 2019 alone, Course Report found that boot camps grew an incredible 49 percent.  

While boot camps are most often associated with coding or software development, there are also specific programs for those interested in UX research. Explore your options to see if an intensive UX/UI boot camp could suit your situation and career interests. 

Self-Guided Resources

Who says that learning has to happen in person? If you’re ambitious and self-directed, you may want to use self-guided resources to structure your foray into UX research. An abundance of learning opportunities is available online, from tutorials and discussion forums to virtual courses . These offer price-conscious or time-constrained learners a chance to take their education into their own hands — and even once you enter your career, these sites can be an essential part of lifelong learning and job advancement.

Keep in mind, however, that free online self-guided resources often lack the support and structure that degree programs or boot camps provide. Do your research before you commit to an educational path.

How to Get Hired

Once you gain the education and skills you need, it’ll be time to look for a job in the UX field. Your boot camp or university may have a career assistance office that can help you land internships and interviews with leading technology companies, which can, in turn, evolve into valuable full-time career opportunities.

Do your research; make sure to check out job boards, especially the specialized ones provided by your boot camp or university career center. Networking, attending conferences and actively participating in the UX research community can all put you in good stead to find a great job. When you get the interview you want, prepare in advance to make the best impression possible, and show off your ability to communicate and listen effectively.

User experience research is a rapidly growing profession at the heart of today’s tech industry. With tremendous upward potential and opportunities for people with a wide range of skills and backgrounds, UX research can be an exciting and rewarding career. Will online learning, a  UX/UI boot camp or a university degree be the right option for you? Explore your training options and forge a path that will allow you to become a UX researcher according to your own timeline and educational preferences.

UX Researcher

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• Related Topics

What Is a UX Researcher? How to Become One, Salary, Skills.

UX researchers are responsible for studying and understanding what users of a system or product need and want. UX researchers use their findings to improve the design of goods, software and services. Here’s what to know about a UX researcher’s salary, needed skills and how to become one.

What Is a UX Researcher?

UX researchers study user behavior to answer important questions about how digital products and services are designed and how customers interact with them. The goal of a UX researcher is to improve a product or service through their findings. Some of the key insights UX researchers must uncover about users include their demographic information, how they use a product, what they get from a product and what issues they may have with the product. 

What Do UX Researchers Do?

UX researchers are tasked with learning what motivations, needs and behaviors users have when interacting with a product or service. The two main types of UX research are quantitative and qualitative. The goal of quantitative research is to identify the experience of a user by looking at data, such as click-through rates on landing pages, for example. The goal of qualitative research is to understand why users behave the way they do, and for this, UX researchers rely on field studies, moderated usability tests and user interviews.

UX Researcher Responsibilities

• Design, organize and implement user research projects, including A/B tests, field studies, user surveys, user interviews and usability tests.
• Analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative research to create and report findings.
• Present findings to designers, developers, leadership and stakeholders. 
• Collaborate with product and design teams and provide actionable feedback. 

Day-to-Day Responsibilities of UX Researchers

• Craft user research plans.
• Develop budgets and timelines for research projects. 
• Recruit targeted users.
• Conduct user interviews. 
• Create user surveys. 
• Organize usability tests.
• Conduct field studies.
• Analyze results from interviews and surveys. 

UX Researchers Within a Company

UX researchers are typically part of the product development team within a company. They often collaborate with leaders on the product team and design to create research plans, analyze results and data from surveys and questionnaires and make product recommendations. 

Importance of UX Researchers

UX researchers help companies understand the needs and wants of their customers as they approach the product or service. Without thoughtful UX researchers, companies will overlook the most important part of the design process: empathy. 

What Skills Are Needed to Be a UX Researcher?

Qualifications to be a ux researcher.

• Experience designing and executing user research.
• Knowledge of UX design principles.
• Strong understanding of statistics and data.
• Experience with user research tools and software.

UX Researcher Prerequisites

• UX researchers usually hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology, statistics, human-computer interaction, information systems or a related field. 
• A portfolio of previous user research projects. 

UX Researcher Hard Skills

• Data analysis.
• Math and statistics.
• UX research methods and software tools. 
• User testing. 
• Basic design skills.

UX Researcher Soft Skills

• Empathy and curiosity.
• Interpersonal communication and writing skills.
• Problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Collaboration and teamwork skills.

Tools and Programs UX Researcher Use

• Google Forms 
• Google Optimize
• Optimal Workshop

How to Become a UX Researcher

Ux researcher education and experience.

UX researchers can come from a variety of different backgrounds; there isn’t one set degree that is necessarily best for UX research. Studying technology or behavioral and social sciences can all be relevant to UX research, as an understanding of tech and how humans interact with it is central to the role.

Outside of education, volunteering to run UX research projects for local businesses and non-profit organizations, as well as participating in hackathons, may be helpful experience in developing a UX research portfolio.

• UX Researcher Certificates and Courses
• UX Bootcamps to Know
• Google UX Design Professional Certificate
• General Assembly UX Design Immersive
• Northwestern UX/UI Boot Camp

UX Researcher Career Path

Although UX researchers can come from many different educational backgrounds, starting a UX research career with an internship is a great first step in the field. UX researchers may later take on roles such as UX designer or UX engineer.

UX Researcher Salary and Job Outlook

UX research is a growing field, with 41 percent of researchers only having five years of experience in the field. But the size of UX researcher teams is expected to grow too. Of UX researchers surveyed by User Interviews , 71 percent said there are five or more researchers on their team.

The full compensation package for a UX researcher depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s experience and geographic location. See below for detailed information on the average UX researcher salary.

Expand Your UX Researcher Career Opportunities

Build a multi-dimensional skillset by completing online UX and design courses through Udemy.

Are you interested in UX Design, but have no prior experience or an idea of where to start? You’ve come to the right place!

UPDATE (03/01/2016) : New Section!

• Just added a new section where we go over the most modern design and prototyping tools.
• We discuss design tools like Sketch 3, Photoshop, and Illustrator, so you can decide…

Your product won't be easy to use on accident.  The only way to deliver products and services that delight users is to  listen to them . If you want to learn how to do that, then this is the course for you.

2023 Edition.

You've just landed on Udemy's highest rated course on user experience (UX). Thousands of user researchers and designers have used this course to kick-start their career in UX. You can do it, too.

UX Researcher Certifications + Programs

Reignite your journey up the career ladder with Udacity’s online UX and design certifications.

General Assembly’s User Experience Design Immersive is a transformative course designed for you to get the necessary skills for a UX Design role in three months. 

The User Experience Design bootcamp is led by instructors who are expert practitioners in their field, supported by career coaches that work with you since day one and enhanced by a career services team that is constantly in talks with employers about their UX Design hiring needs.

What you'll accomplish

As a graduate, you’ll have a portfolio of projects that show your creative and technical ability to launch the next generation of successful apps, websites and digital experiences. Throughout this program, you will:

Identify and implement the most effective methods of user research to gain a deeper understanding of what users want and need.

Use interaction and visual design techniques to craft a dynamic digital product that brings delight and function to users.

Conduct usability testing to make product experiences more accessible for diverse user populations and environments.

Learn best practices for working within a product team, employing product management techniques and evaluating technical constraints to better collaborate with developers.

Produce polished design documentation, including wireframes and prototypes, to articulate design decisions to clients and stakeholders.

Prepare for the world of work, compiling a professional-grade portfolio of solo, group, and client projects.

Prerequisites

This is a beginner-friendly program with no prerequisites, although many students are familiar with common tools for graphic and web designers and some may have had exposure to UX concepts in the past. The General Assembly curriculum helps you gain fluency in end-to-end UX processes, tools, and documentation and put them to work on the path to a new career as a User Experience Designer.

Why General Assembly

Since 2011, General Assembly has graduated more than 40,000 students worldwide from the full time & part time courses. During the 2020 hiring shutdown, GA's students, instructors, and career coaches never lost focus, and the KPMG-validated numbers in their Outcomes report reflect it. *For students who graduated in 2020 — the peak of the pandemic — 74.4% of those who participated in GA's full-time Career Services program landed jobs within six months of graduation.  General Assembly is proud of their grads + teams' relentless dedication and to see those numbers rising. Download the report here .

Your next step? Submit an application to talk to the General Assembly Admissions team

Note: reviews are referenced from Career Karma - https://careerkarma.com/schools/general-assembly

Careers Related to UX Researcher

Latest ux and design jobs, companies hiring ux researchers, most common skills for ux researcher, related design careers.

What Is User Research, and What Is Its Purpose?

User research, or UX research, is an absolutely vital part of the  user experience design process.

Typically done at the start of a project, it encompasses different types of research methodologies to gather valuable data and feedback. When conducting user research, you’ll engage with and observe your target users, getting to know their needs, behaviors, and pain points in relation to the product or service you’re designing.

Ultimately, user research means the difference between designing based on guesswork and assumptions, and actually creating something that solves a real user problem. In other words: Do not skip the research phase!

If you’re new to user research, fear not. We’re going to explain exactly what UX research is and why it’s so important. We’ll also show you how to plan your user research and introduce you to some key user research methods .

We’ve divided this rather comprehensive guide into the following sections. Feel free to skip ahead using the menu below:

• What is user research?
• What is the purpose of user research?
• How to plan your user research.
• An introduction to different research methods—and when to use them.

Ready? Let’s jump in.

1. What is user research?

User experience research is the systematic investigation of your users in order to gather insights that will inform the design process. With the help of various user research techniques, you’ll set out to understand your users’ needs, attitudes, pain points, and behaviors (processes like task analyses look at how users actually navigate the product experience —not just how they should or how they say they do). 

Typically done at the start of a project—but also extremely valuable throughout—it encompasses different types of research methodology to gather both qualitative and quantitative data in relation to your product or service.

Before we continue, let’s consider the difference between qualitative and quantitative data .

Qualitative vs. Quantitative data: What’s the difference?

Qualitative UX research results in descriptive data which looks more at how people think and feel. It helps to find your users’ opinions, problems, reasons, and motivations. You can learn all about in-depth in this video by professional UX designer Maureen Herben:

Quantitative UX research , on the other hand, generally produces numerical data that can be measured and analyzed, looking more at the statistics. Quantitative data is used to quantify the opinions and behaviors of your users.

User research rarely relies on just one form of data collection and often uses both qualitative and quantitative research methods together to form a bigger picture. The data can be applied to an existing product to gain insight to help improve the product experiences, or it can be applied to an entirely new product or service, providing a baseline for UX, design, and development.

From the data gathered during your user research phase, you should be able to understand the following areas within the context of your product or service:

• Who your users are
• What their needs are
• What they want
• How they currently do things
• How they’d like to do them

As you consider the  why  of user research, remember that it’s easier than you might realize to overlook entire groups of users. It’s important to ensure that you’re conducting inclusive UX research and that starts in the earliest stages!

2. What is the purpose of user research?

The purpose of user research is to put your design project into context. It helps you understand the problem you’re trying to solve; it tells you who your users are, in what context they’ll be using your product or service, and ultimately, what they need from you, the designer! UX research ensures that you are designing with the user in mind, which is key if you want to create a successful product.

Throughout the design process, your UX research will aid you in many ways. It’ll help you identify problems and challenges, validate or invalidate your assumptions, find patterns and commonalities across your target user groups, and shed plenty of light on your users’ needs, goals, and mental models.

Why is this so important? Let’s find out.

Why is it so important to conduct user research?

Without UX research, you are essentially basing your designs on assumptions. If you don’t take the time to engage with real users, it’s virtually impossible to know what needs and pain-points your design should address.

Here’s why conducting user research is absolutely crucial:

User research helps you to design better products!

There’s a misconception that it’s ok to just do a bit of research and testing at the end of your project. The truth is that you need UX research first, followed by usability testing and iteration throughout.

This is because research makes the design better. The end goal is to create products and services that people want to use. The mantra in UX design is that some user research is always better than none .

It’s likely at some point in your UX career that you will come across the first challenge of any UX designer—convincing a client or your team to include user research in a project.

User research keeps user stories at the center of your design process.

All too often, the user research phase is seen as optional or merely “nice-to-have”—but in reality, it’s crucial from both a design and a business perspective. This brings us to our next point…

User research saves time and money!

If you (or your client) decide to skip the research phase altogether, the chances are you’ll end up spending time and money developing a product that, when launched, has loads of usability issues and design flaws, or simply doesn’t meet a real user need. Through UX research, you’ll uncover such issues early on—saving time, money, and lots of frustration!

The research phase ensures you’re designing with real insights and facts — not guesswork! Imagine you release a product that has the potential to fill a gap in the market but, due to a lack of user research, is full of bugs and usability issues. At best, you’ll have a lot of unnecessary work to do to get the product up to scratch. At worst, the brand’s reputation will suffer.

UX research gives the product a competitive edge. Research shows you how your product will perform in a real-world context, highlighting any issues that need to be ironed out before you go ahead and develop it.

User research can be done on a budget

There are ways that you can conduct faster and less costly user research , utilizing Guerrilla research outlined later on in this article (also handy if budget and time are an issue). Even the smallest amount of user research will save time and money in the long run.

The second challenge is how often businesses think they know their users without having done any research. You’ll be surprised at how often a client will tell you that user research is not necessary because they know their users!

In a 2005 survey completed by Bain, a large global management consulting firm, they found some startling results. 80% of businesses thought they knew best about what they were delivering. Only 8% of those businesses’ customers agreed.

The survey may be getting old, but the principle and misperception still persist.

In some cases, businesses genuinely do know their customers and there may be previous data on hand to utilize. However, more often than not, ‘knowing the users’ comes down to personal assumptions and opinions.

“It’s only natural to assume that everyone uses the Web the same way we do, and—like everyone else—we tend to think that our own behavior is much more orderly and sensible than it really is.” (Don’t Make Me Think ‘Revisited’, Steve Krug, 2014.) A must on every UX Designer’s bookshelf!

What we think a user wants is not the same as what a user thinks they want. Without research, we inadvertently make decisions for ourselves instead of for our target audience. To summarize, the purpose of user research is to help us design to fulfill the user’s actual needs, rather than our own assumptions of their needs.

In a nutshell, UX research informs and opens up the realm of design possibilities. It saves time and money, ensures a competitive edge, and helps you to be a more effective, efficient, user-centric designer.

3. How to plan your user research

When planning your user research , it’s good to have a mix of both qualitative and quantitative data to draw from so you don’t run into issues from the value-action gap, which can at times make qualitative data unreliable.

The value-action gap is a well-known psychology principle outlining that people genuinely don’t do what they say they would do, and is commonly referred to as what people say vs. what people do.

More than 60% of participants said they were “likely” or “very likely” to buy a kitchen appliance in the next 3 months. 8 months later, only 12% had. How Customers Think, Gerald Zaltman, 2003

When planning your user research, you need to do more than just User Focus Groups—observation of your users really is the key. You need to watch what your users do.

Part of being a great user researcher is to be an expert at setting up the right questions and getting unbiased answers from your users.

To do this we need to think like the user.

Put yourself in your user’s shoes without your own preconceptions and assumptions on how it should work and what it should be. For this, we need empathy (and good listening skills) allowing you to observe and challenge assumptions of what you already think you know about your users.

Be open to some surprises!

4. When to use different user research methods

There’s a variety of different qualitative and quantitative research methods out there. If you’ve been doing the CareerFoundry UX Design course , you may have already covered some of the list below in your course.

It isn’t an exhaustive list, but covers some of the more popular methods of research. Our student team lead runs through many of them in the video below.

Qualitative Methods:

• Guerrilla testing: Fast and low-cost testing methods such as on-the-street videos, field observations, reviews of paper sketches, or online tools for remote usability testing.
• Interviews: One-on-one interviews that follow a preset selection of questions prompting the user to describe their interactions, thoughts, and feelings in relation to a product or service, or even the environment of the product/service.
• Focus groups: Participatory groups that are led through a discussion and activities to gather data on a particular product or service. If you’ve ever watched Mad Men you’ll be familiar with the Ponds’ cold cream Focus Group !
• Field Studies: Heading into the user’s environment and observing while taking notes (and photographs or videos if possible).
• In-lab testing: Observations of users completing particular tasks in a controlled environment. Users are often asked to describe out loud their actions, thoughts, and feelings and are videoed for later analysis
• Card sorting : Used to help understand Information Architecture and naming conventions better. Can be really handy to sort large amounts of content into logical groupings for users.

Quantitative Methods:

• User surveys: Questionnaires with a structured format, targeting your specific user personas. These can be a great way to get a large amount of data. Surveymonkey is a popular online tool.
• First click testing: A test set up to analyse what a user would click on first in order to complete their intended task. This can be done with paper prototypes, interactive wireframes or an existing website.
• Eye tracking: Measures the gaze of the eye, allowing the observer to ‘see’ what the user sees. This can be an expensive test and heatmapping is a good cheaper alternative.
• Heatmapping: Visual mapping of data showing how users click and scroll through your prototype or website. The most well-known online tool to integrate would be Crazyegg.
• Web analytics: Data that is gathered from a website or prototype it is integrated with, allowing you to see the demographics of users, page views, and funnels of how users move through your site and where they drop off. The most well-known online tool to integrate would be Google Analytics .
• A/B testing: Comparing two versions of a web page to see which one converts users more. This is a great way to test button placements, colors, banners, and other elements in your UI.

Further reading

Now you know what user research is and why it’s so important. If you’re looking for a way to get trained in this particular discipline, there’s good news—owing to demand and popularity, there’s a growing number of UX research bootcamps out there.

If you’d like to learn more about UX research, you may find the following articles useful:

• What Does A UX Researcher Actually Do? The Ultimate Career Guide
• How to Conduct User Research Like a Professional
• How to Build a UX Research Portfolio (Step-by-Step Guide)

User research is the process of understanding the needs, behaviors, and attitudes of users to inform the design and development of products or services. It involves collecting and analyzing data about users through various methods such as surveys, interviews, and usability testing.

2. How to conduct user research?

User research can be conducted through various methods such as surveys, interviews, observations, and usability testing. The method chosen depends on the research goals and the resources available. Typically, user research involves defining research objectives, recruiting participants, creating research protocols, conducting research activities, analyzing data, and reporting findings.

3. Is user research the same as UX?

User research is a part of the broader UX (User Experience) field, but they are not the same. UX encompasses a wide range of activities such as design, testing, and evaluation, while user research specifically focuses on understanding user needs and behaviors to inform UX decisions.

4. What makes good user research?

Good user research is characterized by clear research goals, well-defined research protocols, appropriate sampling methods, unbiased data collection, and rigorous data analysis. It also involves effective communication of research findings to stakeholders, as well as using the findings to inform design and development decisions.

5. Is user research a good career?

User research is a growing field with many opportunities for career growth and development. With the increasing importance of user-centered design, there is a high demand for skilled user researchers in various industries such as tech, healthcare, and finance. A career in user research can be fulfilling for those interested in understanding human behavior and designing products that meet user needs.

User Experience Research

The User Experience Research program is a fully online certificate and a minor open to all majors.

Check out the courses below.

User experience researchers (UXR) help designers understand the needs of existing and potential users of their products. The UXR program at Boise State is grounded in anthropological methods developed to understand the unfamiliar human beliefs and behaviors and convey those understandings to outsiders. It centers on a toolkit of techniques known as ethnography, including field visits, contextual interviews, and direct observations.

Program Offerings

The User Experience Research program offers fully-online courses and certificates for three distinct student groups: 1) Undergraduate students currently seeking a traditional bachelor’s degree, 2) Working professionals seeking to expand their professional toolkit. 3) Graduate students looking for advanced training in User Research. Select the program offering that is best for you.

UXR/UXR-Pro User Experience Research Certificate

Graduate certificate in user research, why user experience research.

Learn from program faculty and alumni about why you should consider the User Experience Research program at Boise State.

Video Transcript

[Intro Music]

>> MELODY JOHNSON: I use this every day it added value to my present employer. I look at customers’ needs differently. I look at what services we’re offering. How we can make improvements. It’s just overall changed the way I look at the way I work.

>> JOHN ZIKER: Everything really from more you know social good type things to a cities and community development to large corporations need UXR in order to better inform their programs, projects, and services.

>> KENDALL HOUSE: UX Research is a fast-growing field where researchers from the social sciences provide insights to designers.

>> MELODY JOHNSON: With UX I think that it can also seem very tech techy and can be misunderstood. You don’t realize that you’re actually researching from the customer’s perspective, that you’re looking deeper at what you can do to help people.

>> KENDALL HOUSE: At Boise State, we built our program consulting with over 60 UXR practitioners and we have three affiliate faculty who are working in UXR.

>> JOHN ZIKER: Everything about our program is innovative. From the teaching methods to the structure of the program. Our program never stands still. The the one-credit seven-week courses is an innovation that allows both our traditional Boise State students and our students who are coming in only for the certificate to better succeed in the program.

>> KENDALL HOUSE: The courses have a focus on methods and experiential learning, and it allows for high levels of individualization.

>> MELODY JOHNSON: You’re doing participant observation, you are doing interviews, you’re creating these personas. What would that person do. What actions would they take before they go use the product or before they get to the store. What steps would they take. So, you’re really taking that deeper look at what the customer’s needs are.

>> JOHN ZIKER: Then the capstone experience is a project that the student does with a stakeholder either their current employer or we match them up with a stakeholder. So basically they do a project that they can add to their portfolio using UXR methods to provide insights on some sort of design problem.

>> MELODY JOHNSON: I would encourage others to enroll. It gives you a deeper perspective on unmet needs and the tools to be able to look and be more innovative. In order to create solutions.

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How to Become a User Researcher

User researchers work with companies to make suitable product designs based on their studies of the potential pain points and needs of their target users. These experts benefit from high starting salaries and strong job growth projections.  

If you are hoping to enter this field, this guide covers everything you need to know about how to become a user researcher. You will learn more about the job requirements, salary expectations, job growth statistics, and other important information.  

What Is a User Researcher?

User researchers are important assets businesses use to develop a product design that satisfies the needs of their real users. Working on both physical and digital products, these researchers are responsible for identifying who the users are and what they need. They do this by systematically studying the target users, collecting and analyzing data to help inform the design process. 

User Researcher Job Description

One of the most important tasks in a user researcher position is to define and drive the future of products. They work with different teams to reveal the needs of users by conducting research and performing usability studies. 

Their responsibilities may also include delivering presentations, coming up with bold new ideas, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative data. They also help the UX team to understand what will make the user experience seamless and more intuitive. 

User Researcher vs UX Researcher: What’s the Difference?

The roles of a user researcher and a user experience (UX) researcher don’t just sound similar; they are also very closely related. So much so in fact that they can be very difficult to distinguish. Some even venture to claim they are the same role. However, most experts on the matter would agree that there are some differences.

These roles will vary depending on the organization, which makes the distinction even less clear-cut. Generally speaking, however, we can say that UX research is a sub-field of user research. Another difference people commonly agree upon is that while user research is more about talking to people about their behavior using a product, UX deals more with learning about users’ experiences with a particular product.

The work of a user researcher informs the work of a UX researcher and vice versa. Both roles are critical which means that these professionals need to cooperate to come up with insights that result in the best possible product for the consumer. If you want to learn how to become a UX researcher, check out this article . 

User Researcher Salary and Job Outlook

User researchers earn well over the national average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, user researchers earn a median salary of $65,810 per year in 2020. This figure generally increases as the professionals gain experience.  

The job outlook is also quite impressive as employment is projected to grow by 18 percent from 2019 to 2029. This growth is driven by the increasing reliance on market research and data across several industries.

Top Reasons to Become a User Researcher in 2021

There are a lot of reasons to become a user experience researcher aside from the relatively high salary. The field also allows you to build highly transferable skills that can lead to opportunities in a wide range of career paths. Since these professionals deal with data, they have an easy time transitioning into other data-related fields. Read below for more reasons to become a user researcher. 

• Create relevant designs. As a user researcher, you have the ability to make use of your creativity to create designs that better meet user needs. 
• Shape the future. In this job, you’ll play a small part in shaping the future as your research informs the designs of new products.
• Help companies maximize profit. These experienced researchers play an important role in helping companies retain their existing customers while attracting new ones. 
• Job growth.  The job growth for this field is 18 percent, which shows that you will have plenty of job opportunities now and in the years to come.

User Researcher Job Requirements

Due to the vast array of tech companies and their differing needs, the job requirements for user experience researchers will often vary widely. However, most user researcher positions share some basic requirements regardless of the specific job title. 

• Relevant experience. In most cases, employers prefer candidates that have considerable experience in this or a similar field.
• Bachelor's degree. Employers may also require a Bachelor's Degree in Human Behavior or another relevant field. 
• Research skills.  The candidate is also expected to know how to perform research-related tasks and use findings to create the best possible products.  
• Knowledge of computer science. Potential employers may also require some knowledge of computer science since candidates will work with data and databases.

Types of User Researcher Careers

The field of user research is very broad and can lead to many different careers. User research covers different specialist roles with unique requirements. When you've gained the necessary training and skills, you can work in any of the following user research roles.

Usability Analyst

These experts are also called UX analysts and they focus on one specific aspect of the user experience, usability. People in this career path deal with how user-friendly the product is and how memorable, efficient, and easy it is to navigate.

The UX writer role combines aspects of copywriting, user experience design, and branding. Users often rely on written copy to guide them while navigating digital services and products. UX writers craft these documents to ensure that users get the best experience. 

Information Architect

Information architects are digital librarians. They structure content on apps and websites to make the information more accessible and organized. This significantly improves the user experience.

User Researcher Meaning: What Does a User Researcher Do?

The roles that UX researchers fill may vary depending on the organization they work for. However, no matter what field you are in, some tasks are commonplace for anyone who holds a user research job. These tasks include the following. 

Data Collection

User researchers conduct user testing to collect data. They analyze this information to inform the design of future products. These professionals moderate usability sessions, conduct client and stakeholder interviews, and develop quantitative surveys. 

Research Planning and Recruitment

User researchers develop well-crafted plans that serve their research objectives. These experts also recruit endusers and target them for specific studies. Likewise, they write usability research and discussion guides. Common UX research methods include user interviews and usability testing.

Presentation of Findings

These experts present insights to the development and design teams. To come up with these insights, they need a deep understanding of the business’ needs and the ability to design effective research studies.

Essential User Researcher Skills

Throughout their careers, user researchers develop a long list of soft skills that help them perform their jobs. Below are some of the main core skills required to become a successful user researcher. 

Communication Skills

The job involves working with other members of the design team so strong communication skills are necessary to ensure everyone is on the same page. These experts also frequently have to touch base with research participants.

Critical Thinking

These experts also need to think critically to create new designs that solve problems for their users. User researchers should be able to exercise their intuition to recognize patterns during their research. 

Collaboration

This is a critical skill because user researchers work with designers, developers, stakeholders, and product managers. They need strong teamwork skills to bring the needs and ideas of all these people together to design the best possible products. 

How Long Does It Take to Become a User Researcher?

It may take four years plus to become a user researcher if you want to start your career by earning a bachelor’s degree. You may also be required to have some experience in the field before qualifying for some higher-level roles.  

However, there are alternative educational pathways that allow you to enter the job market in less time. People who attend coding bootcamps can be ready for the workforce within a few weeks or months. These programs are intensive and cover the essential skills needed to thrive in the field. 

Can a Coding Bootcamp Help Me Become a User Researcher?

Coding bootcamps can help you to become a user researcher. The short programs provide an immersive educational experience and equip you with the skills needed to enter tech fields. The best bootcamp programs consist of practical training to give you experience and help you build a portfolio. 

Since bootcamps have online, part-time, and full-time programs, they are more flexible than universities. Some bootcamps have programs, such as UX design, that teach the fundamentals needed to thrive in the field. Coding bootcamps are ideal for students who are already working professionals and don’t have time to attend a degree program.

Can I Become a User Researcher from Home?

There are a lot of learning opportunities to help you become a user researcher from home. You can either join a coding bootcamp that offers remote training or enroll in online courses that offer time-constrained learners an opportunity to pursue a new career. In no time, you will be qualified for entry-level positions.

How to Become a User Researcher: A Step-by-Step Guide

There is no singular path to become a user researcher, as the steps will vary for each person depending on their user research experience and career goals. For example, you can choose to get a degree in a university or community college, attend a coding bootcamp, or learn online. This guide will cover how to become a user researcher with a degree.

Step 1: Degree in Technology 

Most user researcher positions require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree. However, this degree doesn’t have to be in UX. Any degree in technology, social sciences, or behavioral sciences would do. 

Step 2: Gain UX Research Experience

After getting a degree, the next step will be to acquire invaluable experience in the field of UX research. You can do this by searching job postings for entry-level user researcher jobs, or you can consider an internship to get hands-on experience. 

Step 3: Build Your portfolio

Once you have experience, you need to continue to build your portfolio. If possible, volunteer or take classes. You can even consider freelancing. There are a lot of websites that give prospective employers easy access to your portfolio, such as GitHub and LinkedIn. 

Best Schools and Education for a User Researcher Career

There are many educational pathways you can take to acquire the training you need to become a user researcher. Your options include coding bootcamps, universities, and community colleges. 

User Research Bootcamps

These short, immersive programs can teach you the required skills to enter the workforce in this field. In tech bootcamps, students learn in-demand skills such as Agile practices and user-centered approaches. They are ideal because they take less time, are more affordable, and offer flexible schedules for working professionals. 

Vocational School

Vocational schools prepare people to work as technicians, artisans, or tradespersons. They are also called trade schools. These programs are different from university education as they focus more on practical learning. You cannot become a user researcher by attending a vocational school. This type of institution does not typically offer the training needed to break into the field.

Community College

Community colleges offer training for students who want to pursue a career in user research. The programs take around two years to complete, and students can study computer science, human-computer interaction, statistics, psychology, design, information systems, or anthropology. Some colleges offer online degrees as well.

These courses give students the necessary background to take on user researcher and similar roles. Sometimes, they offer internship opportunities to help you get on-the-job experience. The credits you earn at community colleges are also transferable if you want to go on to earn a more advanced degree.

User Research Degrees

Universities offer degrees in user research-related fields. However, a degree in social science, cognitive science, behavioral sciences, or technology can be enough to prepare you for the field. The programs often last four years with an option to pursue graduate studies. 

Some universities even offer remote training, and working professionals can also benefit from part-time schedules. In most cases, these programs end with students completing a capstone project. 

The Most Important User Researcher Certificates

To open up higher-level user researcher job opportunities, or to become a senior researcher, you may want to consider gaining a certification. While certification is not essential, it is recommended because it enhances your resume and shows that you have the skills hiring managers are looking for. Here are some of the most important user researcher certificates to consider.

Certified Usability Analyst 

The Certified Usability Analyst (CUA) certification from HFI, a leading user-centered firm, is an excellent program for candidates who are new in the user research field. Those who want to move to UX, or demonstrate their mastery of the principles of UX to an organization, can also get the certification. 

Certified User Experience Analyst 

The Certified User Experience Analyst (CXA) certification is for people with a UX design foundation who want to enroll in advanced-level courses. To qualify for the exam, candidates must have the CUA certification.

UX Master Certification

The UX Master Certification is for practitioners who want to showcase their achievements in user research and differentiate themselves from the competition. Before taking the exam, you will have to complete 15 of the training courses offered by the certification provider, Nielsen Norman Group.

How to Prepare for Your User Researcher Job Interview

The user research interview process can be technical in nature, so you will want to ensure you are well prepared and have a solid foundation in the necessary technical skills. However, you can expect behavioral questions as well. Here are some sample questions you can practice to ace your user research interview .

User Researcher Job Interview Practice Questions

• How can you determine a user’s attitude about a feature or design?
• What is your impression of this product? (the interviewer may show you a product during the interview and ask for your opinion)
• What is your impression of this particular feature?
• Where do you think a person will use such a feature or product?
• If you could change anything about this design, what would you do?

Should I Become a User Researcher in 2021?

A career in user research is people-focused and analytical and offers a good average salary. This means that it is an excellent career if you love to study people and find out what they prefer and why. If you are a creative individual who has a flair for handling data and creating strategic insights, then a career as a user researcher might be right for you.

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User Experience Research Consulting

Collaborate with an experienced UX researcher to understand and assess the usability, user experience, and visual design of your website

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Our User Experience (UX) Research Consulting service offers campus units an opportunity to collaborate with an experienced design researcher on understanding and assessing the usability, user experience, and visual design of their website, application, or mobile app. We partner with you to:

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To explore the usability, user experience, and visual design of your website, application, or mobile app, the UX Research Consulting team may complete activities, including:

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Gt theme 4.x, nsf awards fellowships to 60 georgia tech graduate students.

Their awards total more than $9.5 million in funding, the most Georgia Tech has ever had in the program.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded 60 Georgia Tech students with Graduate Research Fellowships (GRF). The fellowships, valued at $159,000 each, include funding for three years of graduate study and tuition.

This year’s winners represent areas of study ranging from aerospace engineering to ocean sciences. The purpose of the GRF initiative , the oldest of NSF’s programs, is to develop experts who will contribute significantly to research, teaching, and innovations in science and engineering. Their awards total more than $9.5 million in funding, the most Georgia Tech has ever had in the program.

This year’s recipients are: 

Mihir Natansh Bafna  

Rebecca Kate Banner 

Bareesh Bhaduri 

Jessica A. Bonsu 

Noah S.S. Campbell 

Adrian Alfonso Candocia  

Cailey M Carpenter  

Katherine Elizabeth Cauffiel  

Michael John Cho  

Claudia Chu 

Eric Anthony Comstock 

Sarah Deiters 

Adit Desai 

Ramy Ghanim 

Hannah E. Gilbonio 

Callie L. Goins  

Ashley Alexus Goodnight 

Margaret Gordon 

Jared Nathaniel Grinberg  

Sean Healy 

Alec F. Helbling 

Geoffrey M. Hopping 

Madeline Hoyle 

Joy Michelle Jackson 

Maeve Alexandra Janecka  

Aulden Jones 

Donguk Daniel Kim 

Tara Hashemian Kimiavi 

Michael Klamkin 

Velin H. Kojouharov 

Luke Allen Kurfman 

Aidan S. Labrozzi 

Hee Jun Lee 

Zikang Leng 

Huston Locht 

Emma J. Menardi 

Yash V. Mhaskar 

Madeline Rose Morrell 

Siddharth R. Nathella 

Jennifer Nolan 

Sydney A. Oliver 

Isabelle A. Osuna 

Jorja Y. Overbey 

Robert Patrick Pesch 

Michelle T. Seeler 

Riya Sen 

Matthew So 

Jorik Stoop 

Maggie Emma Straight  

Amanda L. Tang 

Albert Ting 

Darin Tsui 

Julia E. Vallier 

Jacqueline F. van Zyl 

Angel E. Vasquez 

Abhijeet Krishnan Venkataraman 

Alix Wagner 

Matthew Y. Wang 

Samuel E. Wilcox 

Elias G. Winterscheidt 

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Facility for Rare Isotope Beams

At michigan state university, frib researchers lead team to merge nuclear physics experiments and astronomical observations to advance equation-of-state research, world-class particle-accelerator facilities and recent advances in neutron-star observation give physicists a new toolkit for describing nuclear interactions at a wide range of densities..

For most stars, neutron stars and black holes are their final resting places. When a supergiant star runs out of fuel, it expands and then rapidly collapses on itself. This act creates a neutron star—an object denser than our sun crammed into a space 13 to  18 miles wide. In such a heavily condensed stellar environment, most electrons combine with protons to make neutrons, resulting in a dense ball of matter consisting mainly of neutrons. Researchers try to understand the forces that control this process by creating dense matter in the laboratory through colliding neutron-rich nuclei and taking detailed measurements.

A research team—led by William Lynch and Betty Tsang at FRIB—is focused on learning about neutrons in dense environments. Lynch, Tsang, and their collaborators used 20 years of experimental data from accelerator facilities and neutron-star observations to understand how particles interact in nuclear matter under a wide range of densities and pressures. The team wanted to determine how the ratio of neutrons to protons influences nuclear forces in a system. The team recently published its findings in Nature Astronomy .

“In nuclear physics, we are often confined to studying small systems, but we know exactly what particles are in our nuclear systems. Stars provide us an unbelievable opportunity, because they are large systems where nuclear physics plays a vital role, but we do not know for sure what particles are in their interiors,” said Lynch, professor of nuclear physics at FRIB and in the Michigan State University (MSU) Department of Physics and Astronomy. “They are interesting because the density varies greatly within such large systems.  Nuclear forces play a dominant role within them, yet we know comparatively little about that role.” 

When a star with a mass that is 20-30 times that of the sun exhausts its fuel, it cools, collapses, and explodes in a supernova. After this explosion, only the matter in the deepest part of the star’s interior coalesces to form a neutron star. This neutron star has no fuel to burn and over time, it radiates its remaining heat into the surrounding space. Scientists expect that matter in the outer core of a cold neutron star is roughly similar to the matter in atomic nuclei but with three differences: neutron stars are much larger, they are denser in their interiors, and a larger fraction of their nucleons are neutrons. Deep within the inner core of a neutron star, the composition of neutron star matter remains a mystery. 

  “If experiments could provide more guidance about the forces that act in their interiors, we could make better predictions of their interior composition and of phase transitions within them. Neutron stars present a great research opportunity to combine these disciplines,” said Lynch.

Accelerator facilities like FRIB help physicists study how subatomic particles interact under exotic conditions that are more common in neutron stars. When researchers compare these experiments to neutron-star observations, they can calculate the equation of state (EOS) of particles interacting in low-temperature, dense environments. The EOS describes matter in specific conditions, and how its properties change with density. Solving EOS for a wide range of settings helps researchers understand the strong nuclear force’s effects within dense objects, like neutron stars, in the cosmos. It also helps us learn more about neutron stars as they cool.

“This is the first time that we pulled together such a wealth of experimental data to explain the equation of state under these conditions, and this is important,” said Tsang, professor of nuclear science at FRIB. “Previous efforts have used theory to explain the low-density and low-energy end of nuclear matter. We wanted to use all the data we had available to us from our previous experiences with accelerators to obtain a comprehensive equation of state.”   

Researchers seeking the EOS often calculate it at higher temperatures or lower densities. They then draw conclusions for the system across a wider range of conditions. However, physicists have come to understand in recent years that an EOS obtained from an experiment is only relevant for a specific range of densities. As a result, the team needed to pull together data from a variety of accelerator experiments that used different measurements of colliding nuclei to replace those assumptions with data. “In this work, we asked two questions,” said Lynch. “For a given measurement, what density does that measurement probe? After that, we asked what that measurement tells us about the equation of state at that density.”   

In its recent paper, the team combined its own experiments from accelerator facilities in the United States and Japan. It pulled together data from 12 different experimental constraints and three neutron-star observations. The researchers focused on determining the EOS for nuclear matter ranging from half to three times a nuclei’s saturation density—the density found at the core of all stable nuclei. By producing this comprehensive EOS, the team provided new benchmarks for the larger nuclear physics and astrophysics communities to more accurately model interactions of nuclear matter.

The team improved its measurements at intermediate densities that neutron star observations do not provide through experiments at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Germany, the RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science in Japan, and the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (FRIB’s predecessor). To enable key measurements discussed in this article, their experiments helped fund technical advances in data acquisition for active targets and time projection chambers that are being employed in many other experiments world-wide.   

In running these experiments at FRIB, Tsang and Lynch can continue to interact with MSU students who help advance the research with their own input and innovation. MSU operates FRIB as a scientific user facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC), supporting the mission of the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics. FRIB is the only accelerator-based user facility on a university campus as one of 28 DOE-SC user facilities .  Chun Yen Tsang, the first author on the Nature Astronomy  paper, was a graduate student under Betty Tsang during this research and is now a researcher working jointly at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Kent State University. 

“Projects like this one are essential for attracting the brightest students, which ultimately makes these discoveries possible, and provides a steady pipeline to the U.S. workforce in nuclear science,” Tsang said.

The proposed FRIB energy upgrade ( FRIB400 ), supported by the scientific user community in the 2023 Nuclear Science Advisory Committee Long Range Plan , will allow the team to probe at even higher densities in the years to come. FRIB400 will double the reach of FRIB along the neutron dripline into a region relevant for neutron-star crusts and to allow study of extreme, neutron-rich nuclei such as calcium-68. 

Eric Gedenk is a freelance science writer.

Michigan State University operates the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) as a user facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC), supporting the mission of the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics. Hosting what is designed to be the most powerful heavy-ion accelerator, FRIB enables scientists to make discoveries about the properties of rare isotopes in order to better understand the physics of nuclei, nuclear astrophysics, fundamental interactions, and applications for society, including in medicine, homeland security, and industry.

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of today’s most pressing challenges. For more information, visit energy.gov/science.