BALTIMORE, MD — The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) will begin offering a Bachelor of Design (BDes) in User Experience (UX) Design, a new online undergraduate degree that prepares students to design intuitive, accessible digital products and services across industries.
The new online program expands MICA’s portfolio of design degrees and builds on the College’s established reputation in UX education. MICA has long offered a highly successful Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in UX Design, one of the most highly enrolled graduate programs at the College. The BDes introduces an undergraduate pathway that allows students to begin developing UX design expertise earlier in their academic journey.
“UX design sits at the intersection of creativity, technology, and human behavior,” Dr. Douglas Barkey, executive director of professional programs in the School of Creative and Professional Studies. “This program builds on MICA’s strengths in art and design education while preparing students to create meaningful digital experiences that serve real human needs.”
A Design Education Built for the Digital Economy
The 120-credit online undergraduate degree blends design fundamentals, UX-specific coursework, and professional practice to prepare graduates for roles across industries including technology, healthcare, finance, media, and nonprofit organizations.
Students in the program develop the creative, analytical, and technical skills required to design digital products with the user at the center. Coursework spans key areas including: online accessibility, UX research methods and user testing, user interface and interaction design, information architecture, and UX writing.
During the program, students learn industry-standard tools Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, and web development technologies, to build interactive prototypes and digital design systems that reflect professional UX workflows.
Preparing Designers for High-Demand Careers
The launch of the BDes in UX Design responds to growing demand for designers who can combine creative thinking with research, strategy, and technology. Research conducted during program development identified more than 71,000 job postings for UI/UX designers and developers across the United States, with a median advertised salary of approximately $102,000 annually.
Consistent with MICA’s studio culture, the program emphasizes critique, iteration, and collaboration. Students work on projects that mirror professional UX workflows while receiving feedback from faculty and industry professionals.
The curriculum was developed with input from UX leaders working at organizations including Google, Publicis Sapient, Ellucian, Ontada, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ensuring that coursework reflects current industry practices and emerging trends in digital design.
The program culminates in a capstone project and presentation, where students apply the full UX design process, from research and insight gathering to prototyping and stakeholder communication. Students will have a curated professional portfolio demonstrating research, prototyping, and user-centered problem solving.
Expanding Pathways in Design Education
The BDes designation reflects MICA’s continued commitment to expanding pathways in professional design education. Compared with traditional Bachelor of Fine Arts programs, the BDes curriculum emphasizes applied design practice, industry collaboration, and career preparation.
Students benefit from MICA’s creative community in Baltimore while developing the skills needed to design the digital experiences that shape how people interact with technology, information, and services.
To learn more about the BDes in UX Design and apply to MICA, visit mica.edu/bdes-uxd
Founded in 1826, the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is the nation’s oldest, independent, continuous degree-granting college of art and design. MICA delivers an education that combines a fine arts foundation with the liberal arts and real-world experiences. Through creative entrepreneurship, professional practice, and community and industry partnerships, MICA graduates build sustainable careers and support the creative economy in Baltimore and beyond.