Is it worth getting a master’s degree in UX/UI?

Dear JobArtist,

I’m in my final semester at the university, getting a BA in Communication with a minor in Graphic Design. I’m starting to explore the options for my next step; full-time job, maybe a master’s degree, and most preferably a job with an employer that is willing to pay for (or at least contribute to) my master’s. During the research for my next options, I came upon a master’s degree in Technical Communication with a concentration in Usability/User Experience from Northeastern University. Is it worth investing $33,000 in this degree? After all, the UX field is so young and still neglected by many. I’m afraid I might not make it in the field even with a master’s degree. Also, if I decide to do it, does it make sense to start a master’s degree right after bachelor’s? Or should I first spend a couple of years working in the field?

Yours,
UX Student

Dear UX Student,

Thank you for this question. First of all it is commendable to be so passionate about your education and pursuit for more. I think it is more often than not in today’s day and age that higher education can be taken a bit for granted. It is a given to some and in those some, I think many haven’t even begun to ask the questions you have. You are taking a very practical approach to your education and that is what I would like to focus on in my reply to you.

First off, I am not one to tell you how to invest your money. Education is certainly a more worthy cause than others, but this decision will ultimately be entirely up to you. Now with that, in addition to pursuing the search for schools with these interesting programs that connect your interests and have ties to UX/UI – I would simultaneously pursue careers that have those connections as well. This too, is an education. When I was searching for my first job out of college (undergrad) I did look for companies that offered tuition reimbursement programs and ones where I felt I would get great on the job experience.

You may feel on a roll right now with your education. Maybe it feels right for you to continue on while your momentum is strong. If this is the case, continue to explore your options, but I would not limit your initial searches to just one school/program. There may also be accredited shorter programs that offer your interests, or classes on sites like Corsera.org where you may take a free class or paid for credits class from a top University. Either way, I would continue to ask a lot of questions. Call the admissions department. Ask what their student placement or employment rates are after graduation. Ask if you can speak to Faculty within the department to get a better idea of if the description of the programs matches your wants for the field.

The key is don’t stop. Don’t stop pursuing your interests because what you will find is you can eventually come to some conclusions and answers. Part of the key is in the search. And your knowing what you are looking for is going to continue to help you ask the right questions – or better questions that will lead you into a path you can say you had a strong influence on as well.

Don’t be afraid. Fear has the tendency to hold us back. Always remember to lead with your passions and not your fears, because your passions bring the key to your happiness, your fears do not.

So continue to ask questions and ask them from the deepest place of your passions. People love helping others who can bring a fire and passion to the table no matter what your interests are and no matter where they end up in the future. Your journey has just begun and I am happy for you and where it will go.