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In today's fast-paced, technology-driven environment in which Americans spend an average of just over seven hours online each day, software design and development have become the backbone of innovation. It shapes the way people communicate, work and interact with the world. Consequently, teams of developers and designers are in greater demand than ever before.
To that end, Utah Tech University is launching two new master's degrees in the fall of 2024 – the master of software development and master of user experience design. These degrees should appeal to both seasoned professionals seeking to enhance their skills or novice coders eager to dive into the realm of coding.
"We are thrilled to be launching these masters degrees together," said Eric Pedersen, dean for the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. "They are built to be collaborative and innovative and follow our polytechnic mission, with teams interacting to design and build relevant, real-world solutions to meet current industry standards. Our unique delivery and collaboration at a graduate level sets us apart from other master's degrees."
In a report from 2018, a survey of UX practitioners found that while the majority of user design professionals work closely with developers, collaboration with developers was one of the top challenges they face. By building close collaboration between the master of software development and master of UX design, faculty members DJ Holt and Andrew Wilson hope to train students both in their respective crafts and in the art of communication.
"As a designer, you will be working with developers and vice versa," Wilson said. "Industry requires UX designers who understand the development process and can bridge the gap between form, function and implementation."
Both degrees are HyFlex programs, allowing students either a face-to-face or remote experience. And as graduate-level degrees, both programs offer an edge to students in a competitive field flooded with those lacking formal credentials.
The master of software development is offered as a pivot degree, allowing working professionals the chance to either shift direction inside their current workplace or completely change the path of their career.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the software development field will increase by a whopping 25% between 2022 and 2032. In addition, a career in development often offers higher flexibility and income, along with job security.
"Today's digital interactions come together through an orchestration of intuitive user experiences and intricately-designed algorithms," Holt said. "We are crafting these two master's degrees in tandem to unlock new opportunities for creators and innovators to come together and learn the skills they need to design and build software to solve real-world problems."
Utah Tech's master in user experience design is the first of its kind in the state and seeks to help students fuse a love of design with the technical know-how to make for seamless user experiences. The field is experiencing growth as well, with a projected 16% increase by 2032, and a median wage exceeding $80,000.
"The master of UX design is more than a crucial stepping stone or academic achievement — it's a bridge to industry readiness," said Design Department Chair Jeremey Forsberg. "We transform student passion into expertise with a curriculum that emphasizes practical experience, innovation, and a comprehensive understanding of how users interact with technology. We make sure students are truly ready for their future."
To learn more about the degrees, visit computing.utahtech.edu/master-of-software-development or design.utahtech.edu/master-of-ux-design. Applications are now open for inaugural student cohorts this fall.
