University Launches Online Certificate in Customer and User Experience Research

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Montclair State University is now offering an online graduate certificate program in Customer Experience and User Experience Research (CX/UX Research).

Designed to meet the growing need for professionals in the field of customer experience (CX) and user experience (UX), the 13.5-credit, five-course program builds student expertise in understanding the needs of customers and the users of technological devices and services. The flexible, short-term online certificate provides an accelerated path to develop this highly specialized skill set.

“The program is very empowering because it trains students to listen and respond effectively to customer needs, and to help their organizations improve the products and services we use every day,” says Christopher Donoghue, associate professor and graduate program coordinator of the certificate.

In just 10 months, new students can gain the technical skills and software competencies needed to carry out customer surveys, focus groups and usability tests. They can also use the credits they acquire toward the Master of Arts in Social Research and Analysis.

Individuals with bachelor’s degrees in fields such as sociology, psychology and anthropology are highly valued in this industry because of their interest in people and human behavior. Those with specialized skills in business, computer science and mathematics also possess advantages. The certificate in Customer Experience and User Experience Research gives them a clear advantage in this field, especially because there are so few other opportunities like it.

“Competitors in the job market with training in both customer and user experience are sometimes called ‘unicorns’ because they can fill a job opening with a multifaceted skill set. UX researchers are more valuable when they understand survey methods, as are CX researchers when they understand what goes into the testing of an app,” explains Donoghue.

The new program joins Montclair’s growing number of online certificates that can be paired with the MA in Social Research and Analysis, such as Data Collection and Management, and Business Analytics.

All of these programs are now accepting applications.

For more information on Montclair State’s online graduate programs, visit montclair.edu/online.