Design the future
9 - 12 months
6231251
This Program is Perfect For
- Aspiring or current UX/UI professionals
- Professionals aiming to formalize and showcase their skills
- Designers and developers looking to deepen expertise
Program review underway
As we evolve our programs to reflect today’s technology landscape, the certificate in User Experience and Web Design is under review and is not currently open for new enrollment. If you are enrolled in this certificate and are finishing up your courses, please reach out to us at extension@ucsc.edu. We will help you plan your journey.
Courses are open to everyone
You are invited to build and strengthen your teaching skills by enrolling in individual courses.
UX skills for an AI-driven, inclusive world
The User Experience and Web Design professional certificate program equips students with essential skills for designing modern, user-centered digital experiences. The latest industry-aligned curriculum integrates foundational UX principles with emerging trends, including accessibility, inclusivity, ethical design, artificial intelligence integration, and data-driven decision-making.
The UX and web design field continues to evolve rapidly reflecting advancements in technology, new user expectations, and evolving industry demands. We focus on the skills you need to be competitive in this dynamic field.
- AI-powered design solutions
- Accessibility standards
- Ethical design practices
- Hands-on learning
- Real-world application
You’ll work with the latest design systems and collaboration tools including Figma, Miro, and Jira.
Learning Outcomes
- Design user experiences that prioritize accessibility, inclusivity, ethical practices, responsible design, and user privacy.
- Conduct user research studies using industry-standard tools and methodologies.
- Integrate user-centered design principles.
- Employ industry-standard prototyping tools and data-driven design principles to solve real-world problems.
Courses
Program Requirements
Total: 6 courses (minimum 15 quarter units)
- Take 5 core courses (12 quarter units)
- 1 elective course (minimum 3 quarter units)
- End with a certificate of completion review
1. Required Course(s)
UEWD.X423
$950
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Oct. 1 - Dec. 10, Thu, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
- Flexible Attend in person or via Zoom at scheduled times.
UEWD.X423.(3)
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, 10-01-2026 | 5:30pm | 8:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 10-08-2026 | 5:30pm | 8:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 10-15-2026 | 5:30pm | 8:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 10-22-2026 | 5:30pm | 8:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 10-29-2026 | 5:30pm | 8:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 11-05-2026 | 5:30pm | 8:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 11-12-2026 | 5:30pm | 8:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 11-19-2026 | 5:30pm | 8:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 12-03-2026 | 5:30pm | 8:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 12-10-2026 | 5:30pm | 8:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
This class meets simultaneously in a classroom and remotely via Zoom. Students are expected to attend and participate in the course, either in-person or remotely, during the days and times that are specified on the course schedule. Students attending remotely are also strongly encouraged to have their cameras on to get the most out of the remote learning experience. Students attending the class in-person are expected to bring a laptop to each class meeting.
No meeting on Nov. 26, 2026. To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.
You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Required Tools and Materials: Figma - Create a Figma account for the 10 weeks for class projects.
Fall
UEWD.X416
$720
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Sep. 2 - Oct. 14, Wed, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
- Flexible Attend in person or via Zoom at scheduled times.
UEWD.X416.(17)
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, 09-02-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Wed, 09-09-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Wed, 09-16-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Wed, 09-23-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Wed, 09-30-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Wed, 10-07-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Wed, 10-14-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
This class meets simultaneously in a classroom and remotely via Zoom. Students are expected to attend and participate in the course, either in-person or remotely, during the days and times that are specified on the course schedule. Students attending remotely are also strongly encouraged to have their cameras on to get the most out of the remote learning experience. Students attending the class in-person are expected to bring a laptop to each class meeting.
To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.
You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Required Tools and Materials
- Figma
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
Fall
UEWD.X424
$720
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Jul. 7 - Aug. 25, Tue, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
- Flexible Attend in person or via Zoom at scheduled times.
UEWD.X424.(2)
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, 07-07-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Tue, 07-14-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Tue, 07-21-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Tue, 07-28-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Tue, 08-04-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Tue, 08-11-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Tue, 08-18-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Tue, 08-25-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
This class meets simultaneously in a classroom and remotely via Zoom. Students are expected to attend and participate in the course, either in-person or remotely, during the days and times that are specified on the course schedule. Students attending remotely are also strongly encouraged to have their cameras on to get the most out of the remote learning experience. Students attending the class in-person are expected to bring a laptop to each class meeting.
To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.
You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Required Tools & Materials: None
Recommended Tools & Materials:
Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner's Guide to User Research, 2nd Edition, Elizabeth Goodman & Mike Kuniavsky, Morgan Kaufmann, 2012, ISBN: 978-0123848697.
There is a newer 3rd edition that may be available by the start of the semester. Past editions have been a great overview of UXR methods and concepts.
The Design of Everyday Things, Don Norman, Basic Books, 2013, ISBN: 978-0465050659.
First published in 1988, any version is fine, but updated version will have more current examples. This is considered a class introduction to user-centered design methods.
Summer
UEWD.X414
$950
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Jun. 29 - Aug. 31, Mon, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
- Flexible Attend in person or via Zoom at scheduled times.
UEWD.X414.(17)
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, 06-29-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 07-06-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 07-13-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 07-20-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 07-27-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 08-03-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 08-10-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 08-17-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 08-24-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Mon, 08-31-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
This class meets simultaneously in a classroom and remotely via Zoom. Students are expected to attend and participate in the course, either in-person or remotely, during the days and times that are specified on the course schedule. Students attending remotely are also strongly encouraged to have their cameras on to get the most out of the remote learning experience. Students attending the class in-person are expected to bring a laptop to each class meeting.
To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.
You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Required Tools and Materials: Create a Figma account for the 10 weeks for class projects.
Recommended Text: The Elements of User Experience: User-Centered Design for the Web and Beyond (Voices That Matter), 2nd Edition, Jesse James Garrett, New Riders, December 26, 2010. ISBN: 0321683684
Summer
2. Electives: (Choose One)
UEWD.X412
$950
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Jul. 1 - Aug. 26, Wed, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
- Flexible Attend in person or via Zoom at scheduled times.
UEWD.X412.(16)
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, 07-01-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Wed, 07-08-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Wed, 07-15-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Wed, 07-22-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Wed, 07-29-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Wed, 08-05-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Wed, 08-12-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Wed, 08-19-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Wed, 08-26-2026 | 6:00pm | 9:00pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
Students may still enroll if they missed the 1st class session. However, they need to communicate with the instructor via Canvas and catch up on all missed work prior to the 2nd class meeting.
This class meets simultaneously in a classroom and remotely via Zoom. Students are expected to attend and participate in the course, either in-person or remotely, during the days and times that are specified on the course schedule. Students attending remotely are also strongly encouraged to have their cameras on to get the most out of the remote learning experience. Students attending the class in-person are expected to bring a laptop to each class meeting.
To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.
You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Required Tools & Materials: Figma - https://www.figma.com/education/ (Figma is free for students)
|| Prerequisites:
Prerequisites / Skills Needed
Summer
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Spring
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Spring
3. Capstone Course: Required
UEWD.X490
$720
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Jul. 30 - Sep. 10, Thu, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
- Flexible Attend in person or via Zoom at scheduled times.
UEWD.X490.(18)
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, 07-30-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 08-06-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 08-13-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 08-20-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 08-27-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 09-03-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
| Thu, 09-10-2026 | 6:30pm | 9:30pm | Flexible | SANTA CLARA / REMOTE |
This class meets simultaneously in a classroom and remotely via Zoom. Students are expected to attend and participate in the course, either in-person or remotely, during the days and times that are specified on the course schedule. Students attending remotely are also strongly encouraged to have their cameras on to get the most out of the remote learning experience. Students attending the class in-person are expected to bring a laptop to each class meeting.
To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.
You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Required Tools & Materials:
Figma desktop app, https://www.figma.com/downloads
Client and project selection document
Claude AI plan: https://claude.com/product/overview
|| Prerequisites:
Prerequisites / Skills Needed
Summer
4. Completion Review:
O-CE0613
$95
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Schedule
Please enroll in the User Experience and Web Design Certificate Completion Fee only when all of the certificate requirements have been met and your final grades are posted.
Establish Candidacy
The class involved whiteboard sessions and collaboration projects which really prepared me well to start working in the industry and tackle UX design interviews.
Agnieszka Zimolag,
Product Design, Cloud at IonQ
Grade requirements
Please note that only letter grades of C or higher may be applied to a certificate, and in some programs, students may have more stringent requirements. Students in most employer- and government-sponsored payment programs, such as workforce development, as well as international students on F-1 visas, need to maintain a B average to meet their requirements.
See Grading and Credits Policy for further information.
Instructors
Program Chair
Nicole Sharratt
Chair | Head of User Experience, Leidos QTC Health Services
NICOLE SHARRATT, M.S., head of User Experience at Leidos QTC Health Services, has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. She has worked as a UX leader with B2B and B2C organizations and is passionate about growing innovative UX teams and future design leaders. She has been part of the AI movement both designing for and with AI to create award-winning products. Previous experience includes UX leadership positions at FICO, McAfee, TrendMicro, and Intuit, among other organizations. She earned her master's degree in Cognitive Psychology from UC Santa Cruz and a bachelor's degree from Humboldt State University. She began serving as chair of the User Experience and Web Development certificate program in 2025.
Certificate Program Advisory Committee
JUMAR T. BALACY
Instructor| UX Designer, Amazon
ARIN BHOWMICK, M.S.
Executive Vice President and Chief Design Officer, SAP
LUIS CALERO, M.A.
Go-to-Market Delivery Specialist, Cisco Meraki
SNEHA CHOWDHARY, M.S.
Senior Product Manager, UX & Human-Centered AI Design, Adobe
ILKIN GULIYEV, Masters & Extension Studies
User Experience Designer, Microsoft
ALEX HUGHES
Senior UX Manager, Best Buy
SHARMAINE MANALO, B.S.
Generative AI UX Prototyper, Apple
NICOLE SHARRATT, M.S.
Vice President of Product Design
Instructor | Chair, User Experience and Web Design Certificate Program, UCSC Silicon Valley Extension
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