UX/UI Design and Development, M.A.

UX/UI (User Experience/User Interface) Design and Development is emerging as a crucial qualification in various industry sectors, including emerging technology (AR/VR/MR), voice , AI/ML entertainment (gaming, motion pictures, etc.), technology, finance, insurance, automobile, military, digital arts, communications, media production, architecture, business, science, medicine, computer science, engineering, and web and mobile app design.

Technological advancements including augmented reality (AR) present further opportunity for innovating user experiences. The success of the digital experience depends on sophisticated interactive design, which is implemented using state-of-the-art hardware and software techniques. The work of UX/UI designers and developers will continue to expand as the technology develops and companies increase their digital presence.

In conjunction with our diverse, committed faculty, the Department of Digital Art and Design possesses a facility that is unique and makes New York Tech stand out. Through the HIVE (Home of Innovation, Visualization, and Exploration), students have an opportunity to work with an impressive array of cutting-edge technologies that rivals other institutions. The HIVE provides access to advanced visualization tools to push the possibilities of any UX/UI design goal.

The Master of Art in UX/UI Design and Development is designed to offer students visual design strategies; digital development skills; and fundamental knowledge of industry standards, technologies, and terminologies, along with creative thinking and problem solving. The degree is in line with New York Institute of Technology’s mission of offering career-oriented, professional education.

The M.A. is oriented toward artists and non-artists who are aiming to be designers of interactive experiences. This program will provide students with a master’s-level understanding of how to design and develop a range of user interfaces within a variety of contexts. These competencies are increasingly important in an expanding variety of fields emerging from interdisciplinary studies and industries.

International F-1 students who successfully complete this degree are eligible for an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension to work in the U.S. in an area directly related to their area of study immediately upon completing the customary 12-month post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

The M.A. in UX/UI Design and Development program accepts students for fall semester admission only.

Admission Requirements

B.F.A. degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university
Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0

Application Materials

Completed application
$50 nonrefundable application fee
Copy of college diploma or proof of degree
M.A. supplementary application (see instructions below)
International student requirements: English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE), I-20, and transcript evaluation

M.A. Supplementary Application

Once you complete the online application, you are required to submit a supplementary application. To upload, you will need to include the application ID number which you will receive after submitting your online application. Each student is limited to one portfolio submission. Additional submissions will not be considered until the following fall semester.

The supplementary application includes:

Digital portfolio (recommended but not required) that showcases your best work through a wide range of media. Portfolio should contain 15–20 high-quality digital images and/or a sample reel of animation/video (max. three minutes).
Description sheet of the contents of the portfolio (required only if submitting portfolio) detailing each work with a title, brief description, measurements or duration, and date of completion. Collaborative work must be individually identified and credited as such.
Curriculum vitae/résumé which should include a summary of academic and professional history and achievements, including research, awards, and exhibitions.
Personal statement: A statement of purpose of 300 to 500 words, which should include academic/career objectives and creative intent. The statement of purpose should also indicate your anticipated area of study (UX/UI).
Letters of recommendation (optional)

Formats

All artwork must be submitted in PDF file format.
Description sheet, cv/résumé, and artist statement must be in PDF file format.
Animation/video work (max. three minutes) must be included as a link to an uploaded file on YouTube, Vimeo, or a personal website. Please include the URL in your description sheet.
All submitted materials must be in English, including all file names, credits, and letter of recommendations.

Transition from the M.A. to M.F.A. Degree Policy

The Master of Arts in UX/UI Design and Development is transitional to the Master of Fine Arts in Digital Art and Design program.
All 30 credits of the M.A. degree will transition to the M.F.A.
Graduate Critique/Thesis Orientation ARTC 802 will be waived; however, the credits will still need to be taken in the form of an elective.
Master's Project (ARTP 802) is co-listed with Thesis Proposal (ARTC 851). Thus, students who have taken Master's Project do not need to take Thesis Proposal.

Transition from other New York Tech Graduate Programs to the M.A. Degree

Graduates of other graduate programs may only transition six credits to satisfy the six elective credits required.