As the demand for UX designers continues to rise, employers will increasingly distinguish between self-taught or uncertified designers and those who have completed an official UX qualification.
If you don’t yet know much about UX design, a free UX design micro-course can provide a simple introduction to the field and let you feel out whether you’re a good fit for a career in UX.
But you’ll want to explore certification programs after that! A reputable UX design certification program will teach you all the skills and techniques you’ll need to succeed in the field.
If you’re a self-taught designer, a UX design certification will formalize your existing knowledge and enable you to market yourself as a qualified UX practitioner.
So what are your options when it comes to getting UX certified?
It’s important to be aware that there is no single, universally recognized UX design certification—so choosing a credible program from a reputable provider is absolutely crucial.
To help you in your quest, we’ve put together a list of the best UX design certification programs on the market right now—as well as a guide on what to look for in a UX design certification.
The first part of our list looks at some of the best online programs, while the second part is dedicated to in-person courses. If you already know your preferred mode of study, skip straight to the relevant section.
If not, browse the full list and see which programs best suit your needs (images below are from the corresponding websites).
- Online UX design certification programs
- In-person and attendance-based programs
- Wrap-up
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about UX certification programs
Ready to get UX certified? Let’s find you a course!
Online UX design certification programs
1. CareerFoundry UX Design Program
The CareerFoundry UX Design Program at a glance:
- Mode of study: Online, with the support of a personal tutor and one-to-one mentor
- Ideal for: Beginners who want to make a career change
- Duration: Between 5 and 10 months, flexibly paced
- Price: $7,505-$7,900 USD
For an independent review of the CareerFoundry UX Design Program, check out this video where current student Cynthia talks about her experience with the course so far:
Who is it for?
The CareerFoundry UX Design Program is ideal for anyone who wants to become a fully-fledged, job-ready UX designer. The curriculum has been built for beginners, so you don’t need any prior knowledge or experience in the field.
What’s more, the course is flexibly paced and taught entirely online, making it a feasible option if you need to fit your studies around other commitments. If you’re not sure whether UX design is the field for you, this free introductory short course will help you make up your mind—highly recommended for anyone in the decision-making process!
How does it work?
Once you’ve enrolled, you’ll be given access to the online learning platform and assigned both a personal tutor and a one-to-one mentor. You’ll access all the course content via the online platform, reading through the material and then completing practical exercises. These are submitted to, and marked by, your tutor.
You’ll also work on larger projects which go into your UX portfolio. Throughout the course, you’ll have regular video calls with your mentor. There’s no final exam or assessment, but you do need to have each exercise approved in order to progress to the next chapter. You can learn more about how the course works on our dedicated page.
How long does it take to complete?
The program is flexibly paced within an overall 10-month duration. If you dedicate around 15 hours per week, you can expect to finish the program within 10 months. You can also work extra hours each week in order to complete it sooner.
How much does it cost?
The complete CareerFoundry UX Design Program starts from $7,900, but the cost of the tuition is dependent on your location and is competitively priced. A range of flexible payment options include paying upfront, or getting a small course discount. Contact CareerFoundry to find out your local pricing and if there are any partial scholarships available.
Bear in mind that the course is also covered by a job guarantee—if you don’t get a job within six months of completing the course, you could be eligible for a full refund, provided you meet the clearly stated criteria.
Useful links
- CareerFoundry graduate outcomes
- 6 simple, free UX design tutorials for beginners
- Get to grips with the basics of UX research with these free tutorials
- How the job guarantee works
2. Google UX Design Certificate
The Google UX Design Certificate at a glance:
- Mode of study: Online
- Ideal for: Beginners with no experience
- Duration: 6 months (10 hours per week)
- Price: $39 per month (via a Coursera subscription)
Who is it for?
The Google UX Design Certificate is geared towards complete beginners who want to learn the fundamentals of user experience (UX) design. You don’t need any specific qualifications or prior experience to take the course, but you should be ready to learn remotely and independently.
The Google certificate doesn’t come with any one-to-one mentorship or personal guidance, but there is the opportunity to engage in peer-to-peer feedback and discussion forums. This is a flexible, affordable option for newcomers to the field.
How does it work?
The course takes place entirely online via Coursera. You’ll move through the fundamentals of UX design, from ideation and wireframing to user research and high-fidelity prototypes, completing hands-on projects and quizzes as you go.
You’ll add to your UX portfolio and, once you finish the course, you’ll get access to career resources. You can learn more about what’s covered in the Google UX Design Certificate on their website.
As many looking to get into the field find themselves comparing between this course and CareerFoundry’s program, we’ve created a full guide comparing the Google Certificate and CareerFoundry UX Design Program.
How long does it take to complete?
The estimated course duration is around six months, at a pace of 10 hours per week.
How much does it cost?
The Google UX Design Certificate costs as much as a Coursera subscription: $39 per month.
Useful links
3. Springboard UX Career Track
The Springboard UX Career Track at a glance:
- Mode of study: Online, with the support of a one-to-one mentor
- Ideal for: Aspiring designers with some relevant experience
- Duration: 6 months (15-20 hours per week)
- Price: $7,900–14,500 USD
Who is it for?
The Springboard UX Career Track is built for career-changers seeking a direct route into the field, and for those who can demonstrate some relevant knowledge or experience.
Prerequisites for the course include an aptitude for problem-solving, communication, and collaboration, together with at least one year of documented professional experience (or a degree) in a related field—such as graphic or visual design, psychology, research, marketing, or web development.
How does it work?
The course takes place entirely online, at your own pace, with the support of a personal mentor who you can connect with via weekly calls.
The curriculum is split into twenty-five units, starting with an introduction to Design Thinking and finishing with special topics such as psychology, strategy, and service design. The theoretical material is reinforced with mini-projects throughout, and you’ll also work on three portfolio projects. You can learn more about how the course works on the Springboard website.
How long does it take to complete?
The course takes six months to complete, with most students devoting 15-20 hours per week.
How much does it cost?
The Springboard UX Career Track costs from $7,900–14,500 USD, depending on your payment plan. If you pay upfront, you’ll get an 17% discount.
Springboard also offers a job guarantee, so you may be eligible for a full refund if you don’t find a job within six months of graduating.
Useful links
4. Designlab UX Academy
The Designlab UX Academy at a glance:
- Mode of study: Online
- Ideal for: Beginners and experienced designers who want to get certified
- Duration: 4-12 months
- Price: $7,249–9,677 USD
Who is it for?
Designlab’s UX Academy is geared towards both experienced and novice designers who want to forge a career in UX.
Similar to the programs offered by CareerFoundry and Springboard, the Designlab course focuses on getting you job-ready, so it’s one of the better options for those looking to make a complete career change.
How does it work?
The UX Academy Journey is divided into three stages. The first step, Design 101, takes 4 weeks to complete (at a pace of 10-15 hours per week) and serves as a foundation course to prepare you for the main curriculum. At this stage, students are paired with an expert mentor.
If the work you complete as part of Design 101 meets the admissions requirements, you’ll proceed to the main UX Academy. Together with your mentor, you’ll work on a range of projects and exercises over the course of 15 weeks full-time or 28 weeks part-time. The final step focuses on polishing up your portfolio and searching for a job.
How long does it take to complete?
The course takes between 4 and 12 months to complete, depending on whether you opt for full-time or part-time study.
How much does it cost?
The total cost for the UX Academy is from $7,249–9,677, depending on your payment plan. Designlab also offers a six-month job guarantee, so you may qualify for a full refund if you don’t find a job after the course.
Useful links
5. General Assembly UX Design Immersive (Online)
The General Assembly online UX bootcamp at a glance:
- Mode of study: Online
- Ideal for: Career-changers looking for an intensive course
- Duration: 12 weeks full-time
- Price: $15,950 USD
Who is it for?
This is a beginner-friendly program with no prerequisites, ideal for both newcomers to the field and those who already have some experience and want to formalize their practice. While this is an online course, it does require full-time attendance, Monday to Friday, with classes being taught at specific times.
This is a great option for those who are comfortable with the higher price point and want the classroom experience without the commute.
How does it work?
This immersive course does exactly as the name suggests, providing an intensive learning experience much like you’d get in a classroom. Lessons take place in an interactive online classroom, where you’ll virtually connect with expert instructors and fellow classmates.
Beyond classroom hours, you’ll also have the opportunity to connect with instructors via one-to-one check-ins. The course will take you through key UX techniques such as wireframing, prototyping, and user research, and will also touch on hot topics such as service design and design leadership. You’ll also work with a career coach in final preparation for the job market.
How long does it take to complete?
The course runs for 12 weeks on a full-time basis, with start dates roughly every six weeks.
How much does it cost?
The course costs $15,950 USD, making it one of the more expensive options on this list. You can save $450 by paying upfront, or spread the payment out over three installments.
Useful links
In-person UX design certification programs
6. Nielsen Norman Group UX Certification
The Nielsen Norman Group UX certification at a glance:
- Mode of study: In-person
- Ideal for: Professionals who want to gain certification
- Duration: 5 full days accumulated over any time period
- Price: $4,448
Who is it for?
The UX certification offered by the Nielsen Norman Group is geared towards those who want to add UX design to their existing skill set in order to gain credibility and stand out as a certified expert in the field. It is also ideal for companies who want to instil a user-first approach throughout the business by getting their employees UX certified.
How does it work?
The Nielsen Norman Group holds various UX conferences in different cities around the world. Each conference offers a different combination of courses, and in order to get the UX design certification, you’ll need to attend five of these courses.
Once you’ve attended five courses and passed the online exam for each course, you’ll receive your certificate. You can take all five courses and exams at a single UX conference, or accumulate your credits at different conferences.
How long does it take to complete?
To obtain the Nielsen Norman Group UX design certification, you are required to attend five full days (or courses) and to sit an exam for each course, with each exam lasting one hour. You will have access to the exams for up to 35 days after each in-person course, so the program can be completed at a relatively flexible pace.
How much does it cost?
The estimated cost for five Nielsen Norman Group courses and five exams is $4,448 USD (not including VAT).
Useful links
7. Human Factors International Certified Usability Analyst (CUA) and Certified User Experience Analyst (CXA)
The HFI certifications at a glance:
- Mode of study: In-person
- Ideal for: Beginners and experienced professionals
- Duration: 10 days in total (per certification)
- Price: About $6,000 USD
Who is it for?
The Certified Usability Analyst (CUA) certification is ideal if you’re new to the field, either just starting out in your career or planning to eventually switch to a career in UX. The Certified User Experience Analyst (CXA) certification is for those who already have a solid foundation in UX design (and who have already passed the CUA course).
How does it work?
The Certified Usability Analyst track consists of four courses followed by an exam. The courses cover UX foundations (2 days), user-centered analysis and conceptual design (3 days), the science and art of effective web and app design (3 days), and practical usability testing (2 days). The courses are held in-person at a number of international locations on specific dates. Once you’ve attended all the preparatory courses, you’re ready to sit the online exam. The Certified User Experience Analyst (CXA) track follows a similar format.
How long does it take to complete?
Each of the individual courses that make up the certification take two or three days, and the final exam takes 2 and a half hours. You can choose which courses you attend and when, so there is no specific deadline. However, the exam is only available on certain dates throughout the year.
How much does it cost?
The total cost is around $6,000 USD. However, the courses are priced individually depending on location—you can find a list of courses, locations, and prices on their website.
Useful links
- About the Certified Usability Analyst exam
- The Certified Usability Analyst course breakdown
- The Certified User Experience Analyst course breakdown
8. Flatiron School UX/UI Design Course
The Flatiron School bootcamp at a glance:
- Mode of study: Hybrid—online and on-campus
- Ideal for: Beginners looking to make a career-change
- Duration: 24 weeks, full-time
- Price: $17,000 USD
Who is it for?
The Flatiron School bootcamp is for anyone who wants to launch a career as a designer, regardless of previous experience or professional background.
As one of the most expensive programs on this list, and requiring a full-time commitment for around six months, this is a feasible option for those who are willing and able to make a substantial investment in their career change.
How does it work?
The program runs at various locations across the United States, including New York, Austin, San Francisco, and Seattle. It’s also available in London. Over 24 weeks, this bootcamp provides an immersive experience which is divided into five phases. Phase one focuses on Design Essentials and is taught online on a part-time basis.
Towards the end of phase one, students choose whether to focus on UX or UI; you can read about the differences between UX and UI design in this guide. The subsequent phases—Process, Studio, Client, and Portfolio—are all taught on a full-time basis, on campus (with the exception of the Process phase, which is taught online).
Throughout each phase, students are given weekly assignments and quizzes, and are also required to attend meetings, give presentations, receive feedback, and work on their portfolio.
How long does it take to complete?
The entire Flatiron School bootcamp takes 24 weeks to complete on a full-time basis. During the Studio Phase, students are expected to commit 40-50 hours per week to the course.
How much does it cost?
The full bootcamp costs $17,000 USD. It is also possible to finance the course with a loan, or to defer your tuition until you are employed and earning above a certain threshold.
Useful links
9. Ironhack UX/UI Design Bootcamp
The Ironhack bootcamp at a glance:
- Mode of study: In-person or virtual
- Ideal for: Career changers, career boosters, and entrepreneurs
- Duration: 9 weeks full-time or 24 weeks part-time
- Price: $12,500 USD
Who is it for?
The Ironhack bootcamp is essentially for anyone who wants to get to grips with the art of UX design.
There are no entry requirements or previous experience necessary, and the course is built to equip career changers, career boosters, entrepreneurs, and developers alike with hands-on UX design skills in a short space of time.
How does it work?
The course requires in-person attendance on either a part-time or full-time basis at one of their many international campuses, but since the Covid-19 pandemic it can also be taken virtually. The curriculum is divided into four modules, starting with the pre-work component which introduces the basics of design thinking and interaction design over 40 hours of online study.
Modules 1, 2, and 3 focus on user experience design, user interface design, and implementation respectively. As well as learning key design principles and techniques, students also benefit from career coaching and help with building a professional portfolio.
How long does it take to complete?
The full-time Ironhack UX/UI program takes 9 weeks to complete at a pace of 40 hours per week, with classes typically running Monday-Friday from 9am to 6pm. The part-time program takes 24 weeks to complete at a pace of 10 hours per week.
How much does it cost?
The course costs around $12,500 USD, with various scholarships and discounts available.
Useful links
10. Bentley University The UX Certificate
Bentley University’s UX Certificate program at a glance:
- Mode of study: In-person or online in real-time
- Ideal for: Working professionals who want to build a solid foundation in UX design
- Duration: 3 required courses and 6 electives of 2-days each (own pacing)
- Price: $13,500 ($1,200 per course)
Who is it for?
Bentley’s UX program is designed for the working professional, offering maximum flexibility to fit working schedules. It aims to help students build a solid foundation in user experience design, improve the performance of their product designs, and enhance their competitive positioning. Each class contributes to one or more pieces in their UX portfolio.
How does it work?
The program consists of three mandatory courses and six elective courses that students can select based on their individual interests.
The mandatory courses, “Human Factors and the User Experience”, “Leading a User Experience Team”, and “Usability Testing”, provide students with essential knowledge and skills in UX design. These are designed to equip students with a strong foundation in UX design principles, methods, and techniques.
The six elective courses enable students to delve into specific areas of UX design in greater depth. Topics include mobile design, accessibility, information architecture, and content strategy.
How long does it take to complete?
Each course in the program is a two-day intensive that takes place on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The courses can be attended either in person or online in a synchronized format. At the end of each course, students receive an individual portfolio assignment, which they have approximately two weeks to complete.
Useful links:
Wrap-up
In this guide, we’ve highlighted nine of the best programs offering a UX design certification. If you’ve narrowed it down to a few possible options, it’s a good idea to conduct some more in-depth research before making a final decision.
In this guide we’ve created, we show you exactly what you should look for in a UX design certification to make sure you’re getting the best value for money.
Still not sure if UX is the right career path for you? The following resources will help you decide:
- Which tech career path is right for me? A guide to four of the most rewarding jobs in tech
- UX bootcamp vs design degree: Which is better?
- 5 Things we wish we’d known before starting our careers as designers
- UX vs. CX: What’s the difference?
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about UX certification programs
Is a UX design certificate worth it?
A UX design certification is worth it depending on your goals. A reputable UX design certification program will teach you all the skills and techniques you’ll need to succeed in the field.
And if you’re a self-taught designer, a UX design certification will formalize your existing knowledge and enable you to market yourself as a qualified UX practitioner. Additionally, a UX design certification is a definite plus in the eyes of potential employers.
What certification should I get for UX design?
There are a variety of UX design certification courses available, and which one you choose should be based on your own needs and goals. Providers like CareerFoundry offer free short courses so that you can determine whether the program is right for you.