Brand Story – Oregon Tech’s UX certificate programs are off to a powerful start.
The past five years have witnessed an unprecedented surge in the importance of User Experience (UX) across industries, transforming how businesses interact with their customers in the digital realm. This growth has created an urgent need for qualified professionals and highlighted the critical importance of upskilling in UX-related fields. For this reason, Oregon Tech is excited to launch new certificate programs in this field.
What is UX?
User experience refers to all the interactions a person has with products, documents, and interfaces from a company or organization. Good UX means that these interactions happen so smoothly that you might not even notice them: the interface, website, or product is easy to use, easy to remember, satisfying, and free from mistakes. UX professionals design these interfaces and research how to make them even better. Good UX makes for happier customers, and happy customers are good for business.
The UX market, valued at $451 million in 2021, is projected to reach $1.08 billion by 2027, according to UX experts, demonstrating explosive growth in this sector. This expansion has been particularly notable since 2021, largely driven by the pandemic’s acceleration of e-commerce and online activities. The tech industry’s employment numbers reflect this trend, reaching a record 6.39 million jobs in November 2022.
Looking ahead, the future of UX appears even more promising. UX expert Jakob Nielsen (Nielsen/Norman Group) predicts the number of UX professionals will reach 100 million by 2050. This projection, combined with Glassdoor’s ranking of UX positions among the top 25 best jobs based on growth potential, underscores the importance of preparing for this evolving field.
The UX Workforce Gap
With the increased demand for UX professionals, however, we see a significant workforce gap, not just locally but globally. A recent survey revealed that 91% of hiring recruiters are concerned about filling positions in UX design and related fields. This shortage is particularly evident in several areas of Oregon, where the demand for these professionals is higher than the national average.
To address this growing demand, educational institutions across the nation are developing specialized UX programs. These programs provide crucial upskilling and reskilling opportunities for adult learners in high-tech and related industries. At Oregon Tech, we are developing Oregon’s first fully online accredited and transferable certificates in UX to prepare students for UX-related occupations and provide essential skills training.
A $500k Investment in UX Education
With a $500,000 Workforce Ready grant from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, Oregon Tech’s UX certificate programs are off to a powerful start. This support will provide start-up funds for tuition assistance, UX technologies and software licenses, paid internship apprenticeships, and job placement support. The application process will open in spring of 2025 for the fall 2025 cohort.
Our online UX certificate programs offer two specializations: UX Writing and UX Research and Design. UX Writing professionals craft the text for digital interfaces, including buttons, menus, error messages, and system responses, requiring both excellent writing skills and a deep understanding of user behavior. UX Researchers and Designers focus on making technological interactions intuitive and enjoyable. Their work involves developing research plans, conducting usability tests, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance product experiences.
Our certificate programs serve the state workforce growth interest by creating hands-on, engaged learning experiences that will help Oregonians develop UX skills for positions across technology disciplines. Students learn how to analyze technological scenarios and devices to support user-centered design, including audience analysis, use cases, design principles and theory, accessibility, user research methods, and industry-standard UX tools.
In our program, students will not just study but perform industry practices including user profile development, think-aloud protocols, and retrospective recall tests. They will get individual attention from experienced faculty who are both expert teachers and experienced UX professionals. And the certificates can be completed in as little as one year.
For business and professionals alike, the message is clear: investing in UX skills and credentials is no longer optional but essential for staying competitive in today’s digital-first environment. Oregon Tech has strategically recognized this need. As companies continue to recognize the value of user experience in driving business success, the demand for qualified UX professionals will only increase, making upskilling in this field a strategic career move.
Brand stories are paid content articles that allow Oregon Business advertisers to share news about their organizations and engage with readers on business and public policy issues. The stories are produced in house by the Oregon Business marketing department. For more information, contact associate publisher Courtney Kutzman.
