Technology

UX will continue to grow more relevant as technology advances. People have increasingly close relationships with technology in their home and work lives. This means there will be an increased need for professionals with UX knowledge as the use of digital tools, services and platforms expands. Additionally, UX can apply to both physical and digital systems, and experts are needed for all types of UX design and communication.

As communication is a key factor in the UX design process, professionals must effectively share their research findings with colleagues, leaders and other stakeholders. Upon graduating from this program, you’ll be equipped to communicate successfully and develop effective design, making interactions between users and systems more positive, productive and predictable.

Who’s a good candidate for this bachelor’s program?

This technical communication degree may be a great fit if you enjoy using technology and are interested in helping people design and create communication products. UX centers on a mix of creativity and problem solving, and professionals spend time with end users testing products and imagining solutions. Ideal candidates will be comfortable with clarifying ambiguity and being creative in their roles.

The field of technical communication and UX doesn’t necessarily require a high level of technical skill or computer science knowledge. This field is open to individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, emphasizing the creation of meaningful and positive user experiences through thoughtful design.

This bachelor’s degree can also be completed as part of an accelerated master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in as little as one extra year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves you time and money while giving you advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master’s degrees include:

• Master of Science in user experience.

How does this program compare to other UX degree concentrations?

While all of ASU Online’s UX degree concentrations include a curriculum focused on the interaction between individuals and systems, how they frame UX differs. This UX concentration focuses on the communication side of UX through gathering user information, analyzing data, designing communication products and communicating research findings to stakeholders.

Differently, the Bachelor of Science in graphic information technology with a concentration in UX hones in on the physical design process to create easy-to-use applications, desktop software, websites and other digital or physical products. If you’re interested in why users react the way that they do, the Bachelor of Science in human systems engineering with a UX concentration explores how psychology is integrated into a design approach to solve complex human-computer interaction problems.

Combining technology, entrepreneurship and innovation, this program is designed for those motivated to improve products, processes, operations and organizational structures. Courses emphasize qualitative and quantitative methods for data-informed decision-making. You’ll also have opportunities to apply creative problem-solving and change management strategies.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, the curriculum offers knowledge of business fundamentals and the startup process from funding to launch. You’ll learn to develop technology-based ventures and innovate new products through design and disruptive thinking. There are also opportunities to network and interact with entrepreneurial peers worldwide.

The skills you’ll develop

Through hands-on learning experiences, you’ll expand your problem-solving skills, focusing on first-principle, conceptual and design thinking. You’ll be equipped to devise and execute project management, tactical and financial strategies. Technology and entrepreneurship courses also foster analytical reasoning, opportunity analysis and leadership abilities.

Additionally, you’ll gain transferable skills in persuasion and resourcefulness. Assignments offer opportunities to communicate ideas through engaging storytelling, quantitative measures and presentations. With these skills and the eagerness to embrace new technologies, you’ll graduate as a leader prepared to improve society.

Tailor your studies with one of two tracks

You can customize your learning path depending on whether you plan to start a business or pursue a role in an established company. In the entrepreneurship track, the curriculum prepares you to create a technology-based startup. If you select the innovation track, courses focus on advancing technological operations and promoting social change within existing organizations.

Additionally, this bachelor’s degree can be completed as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves you time and money while giving you advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master’s degrees include:

• Master of Leadership and Management
• Master of Science in global technology and development
• Master of Science in public interest technology

Technical communication turns complex concepts into easy-to-use and understandable communication. In this program, you’ll learn the skills to transform dense data into clear, user-centered content. You’ll also create relevant and actionable information by evaluating your audience’s background, goals and experience.

This program includes hands-on projects using design thinking and problem-solving strategies, while teaching skills such as editing, web development, visual communication, usability testing and user experience. You’ll also learn market-standard digital tools to deliver pertinent content into the hands of users. In this profession, you may develop proposals, infographics, websites and tutorials.

Choosing the right technical communication degree for your career goals

If you’re looking to specialize, ASU offers several concentrations within the technical communication degree:

• Technical communication (general track): Covers writing, editing, design and usability across industries, preparing you for versatile roles.
• Data visualization: Teaches you to present data clearly using charts, graphics and storytelling.
• Social media management: Focuses on writing and strategy for platforms that connect organizations to targeted audiences.
• User experience: Explores how people interact with digital products and how to design content that improves those interactions.
• Medical and health concentration: Combines health care knowledge with communication strategies to support public health and patient education.

This program allows you to build a custom degree by combining two academic disciplines into one major.

You’ll select two concentrations from more than 40 available options, with advisors available to help you choose the ones best for you. It's an ideal program for those who are undecided on a major or want to pursue multiple areas of study.

One of the most popular combinations is to pair a concentration in business with a second focus in psychology. Other complementary options include:

• Applied business data analytics and business
• Business and project management
• Business and real estate
• Counseling/applied psychology sciences with family studies
• Family and human development and communication
• Personal health and integrative health
• Project management and sustainability
• Science, technology and society with technical entrepreneurship and management
• Sales and marketing essentials and organizational leadership

A culminating experience with a focus on experiential learning

IDS 401 is the program’s culminating experience in which you’ll arrange, plan and execute a learning project. Throughout this course, you’ll be guided in applying, analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating interdisciplinary concepts to a real-world problem.

You’ll choose from one of the three options below. The College of Integrative Sciences and Arts will work with you to help you find a project that fits your interests. No matter which you choose, the experience will integrate both your concentrations in a meaningful way:

• Applied study: The applied study is a traditional work experience where you’ll spend 120 hours at a site of your choosing putting your integration and concentration area knowledge into practice. In addition to the hours completed onsite, there will be an online class component where you’ll reflect on your internship work.
• Directed study: A directed study is a thesis, creative or research project that you’ll design in consultation with a faculty member. This option is best suited for you if you’re interested in graduate school or have a creative project you’re interested in pursuing. This can be a great way to start a CV, create a portfolio or design your own project.
• Research fellows: You’ll partner with School of Applied Sciences and Arts faculty to assist them with research and ongoing faculty-led projects. This option is highly competitive, so you should begin planning for this option early.

Upskill with a master’s degree

This bachelor’s degree can be completed as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves you time and money while giving you advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master’s degrees include:

• Master of Liberal Studies
• Master of Project Management
• Master of Science in organizational leadership

Throughout this program, you'll learn how to design and create solutions to today’s knowledge-based problems through a multidisciplinary approach. Since information technology encompasses a broad range of topics, you'll have the chance to tailor your learning to your interests. In addition to completing foundational coursework, you'll choose a focus area during your junior or senior year. Available focus areas include cybersecurity/security, information systems and networking.

Depending on your chosen specialization, you’ll dive into key topics, such as cloud computing, computer architecture, software development, data management and more. You'll also gain hands-on experience in programming languages, including Python, Java, Unix and SQL.

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop

This program prepares you to lead and tackle complex challenges in the fast-evolving tech industry. You’ll develop expertise in designing, implementing and managing cutting-edge technology solutions. By integrating critical thinking with practical skills, you'll learn how to enhance organizational efficiency and security through optimized technology. With hands-on experience, you'll gain proficiency in big data management, network security and innovative IT solutions.

Upon graduating from this ABET-accredited program, you’ll be ready to transform how organizations create and utilize information systems. Additionally, you’ll acquire in-demand skills, including configuring and managing computer and database systems, developing secure network architectures and mastering full-stack development.

Choosing the right IT degree for you

ASU’s ABET-accredited online IT bachelor’s degrees build a solid foundation in engineering, mathematics and core industry concepts. While they share common elements, each program focuses on distinct career goals.

• BS in information technology
  • Covers a broad IT foundation with hands-on projects in network security, data management and more. Prepares you to develop technology solutions and optimize efficiency across industries.
• BS in information technology with a concentration in cybersecurity
  • Focuses on network forensics, security analysis, cloud security and risk assessment. Equips you to secure digital infrastructures and protect organizations from cyber threats.
• BS in information technology with a concentration in networking
  • Emphasizes network design, high-availability architecture, performance analysis and cloud networking. Provides skills to build and maintain secure, scalable IT infrastructures.

With each of these IT programs, you can pursue an Accelerated Master’s degree. Once accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves time and money while providing advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master's degrees include:

• Master of Science in information technology
   

IT vs. computer science vs. software engineering: How do they compare?

When comparing IT, computer science and software engineering degrees, each offers unique strengths. This information technology degree focuses on creating, developing, implementing and overseeing technology solutions for organizations, with an emphasis on applied skills such as network security and IT management. This program is a great fit if you're interested in hands-on, practical applications of technology.

ASU’s online Bachelor of Science in software engineering, on the other hand, is closely related to IT but dives deeper into the design and development of complex software systems. Differently, the Bachelor of Science in computer science is more theoretical, emphasizing the mathematical and scientific foundations of computing. If you don’t meet the GPA requirements for the computer science or engineering degrees, this online information technology degree is a great option to consider, with overlapping course topics. Additionally, you don’t need prior experience in IT, as the program teaches you from the ground up.

This Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications (ACCGC)-accredited program harnesses the principles of graphic design to communicate information and ideas. Throughout your coursework, you’ll gain a diverse skill set in design, including building websites, designing brochures, taking professional photographs and producing videography. You’ll also learn how to manage teams of people. Additional competencies you’ll gain include, but are not limited to:

• 2D and 3D motion graphics.
• Commercial photography.
• Front-end web design and development.
• Print technology.
• User experience design.
• Video production.

Who's a good candidate for this program?

The ideal candidate has a curiosity about information technology and a passion for digital creativity. Candidates may be working in the fields of graphic design, web design and development, the print industry, photography, video production or motion graphics. Professionals working in related areas of information technology, software programming, engineering or education would also be good candidates.

In addition to this program, ASU Online offers graphic information technology programs with concentrations in:

• Full-stack web development.
• User experience.

Additionally, if you’ve earned an Associate of Applied Science, ask your enrollment coach about transferring into our Bachelor of Applied Science in graphic information technology.

Earn your master’s degree while completing this bachelor’s program

This bachelor’s degree can be completed as part of an accelerated master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in as little as one extra year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves you time and money, while giving you advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master’s degrees include:

• Master of Science in graphic information technology.

As you progress through the Bachelor of Applied Science in internet and web development program, you’ll build foundational abilities in crucial areas like:

• Front-end development, including:
  • CSS
  • HTML
  • JavaScript
• Graphic industry business practices
• User-centered design
• Visual design

This program exposes you to valuable concepts, practices and tools that support effective design. This includes cross-media and cross-platform graphic applications, emerging web technologies, multimedia design, usability and user experience design.

Additionally, this BAS can also be completed as part of an accelerated master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one extra year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves you time and money, while giving you advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master’s degrees include:

• Master of Science in graphic information technology

Web developers: In demand and well-paid

As technology continues to evolve, web developers remain in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for web developers and digital designers is expected to increase 23% from 2021 to 2031. This is significantly higher than the projected average growth rate of 5% for all occupations.

Businesses also provide substantial compensation to designers and developers. As of May 2021, the median annual pay for these roles was $78,300, according to the BLS.

How is a Bachelor of Applied Science degree different from a BA or BS degree?

Bachelor of Applied Science degrees are designed specifically for students who’ve earned an Associate of Applied Science.

• Students who’ve earned an AAS from a regionally accredited institution may transfer 60 credit hours toward their BAS.
• Students who’ve earned an AAS from a regionally accredited Arizona community college may be eligible to transfer up to 75 credits toward their BAS.

Please plan to meet with an academic advisor to ensure your courses will meet degree requirements.

If you don’t have an AAS and aren’t planning to earn one, please check out related ASU Online programs such as the Bachelor of Science in computer information systems and Bachelor of Science in information technology.