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Coding bootcamps offer short-term, intensive training and skills development that prepare students to pursue new careers. Students may enroll in coding bootcamps to change professional fields, shift to new positions in tech, or gauge interest in specific subjects. Some learners complete bootcamps just to learn something new.
User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design bootcamps can prepare participants for new careers in the UX/UI design field. Online UX/UI programs explore design thinking, data analysis, UX research and strategy, and responsive web design.
LinkedIn ranked UX design as one of the top five in-demand hard skills of 2020, making now a promising time to learn UX/UI design. This roundup of programs offers an excellent place to begin your UI/UX design bootcamp search.
What Is a UX/UI Bootcamp?
An online UX design bootcamp teaches enrollees to create user-friendly websites, applications, and products. A typical curriculum explores information architecture, design thinking, wireframing and prototyping, and user research.
UX/UI bootcamps focus primarily on UX/UI design. More general bootcamps may cover this topic briefly or not at all, spending most of the time on computer science fundamentals and programming languages. Bootcamps last 16.5 weeks, on average.
Students can find UX/UI bootcamps in various formats to meet their needs. Options include online and in-person delivery, along with full-time, part-time, and self-paced enrollment. Some universities provide access to UX/UI bootcamps, while others are delivered by independent providers.
Bootcamps can deliver a short, intensive, and affordable learning experience. Associate and bachelor's degrees usually take much longer to complete and may cost more. Traditional college programs may explore theoretical concepts in greater depth, while bootcamps emphasize career-relevant skills development and practical experience.
- Discover other bootcamp programs
- Compare types of coding bootcamps
- Read our guide to bootcamp programs
- Learn how to get into a coding bootcamp
Skills Learned in UX/UI Bootcamps
UX/UI bootcamps provide a broad, career-relevant foundation in user experience and user interface design. Students can develop technical skills in prototyping, wireframing, user research, and usability testing. They can also strengthen soft skills in collaboration, communication, and problem-solving.
Below, we describe four common skills covered in most online UX/UI bootcamps.
User Research: UX/UI students learn how the design process can best meet targeted users' needs. User researchers can stop potential design problems from occurring and explore new user-friendly design types. Both qualitative and quantitative research can guide this process. Prototyping: UX/UI bootcamps usually include practical experimentation to transform ideas into tangible realities. This part of the design process usually comes after the ideation phase. Designers use prototypes to test their designs, identify problems, and consider any necessary changes before creating the final product. Design Leadership: Leadership skills may include listening, finding purpose, and collaborating well with others. Adaptability, good communication skills, and flexibility are also signs of excellent design leadership. Collaboration: The UX/UI design process is inherently collaborative and involves teams of people working together. Involving other collaborators can help foster new ideas, identify problems, and add diversity. Working with other people is also a good way to find out about new design tools and techniques.
What Will a UX/UI Bootcamp Cost?
The cost of a UX/UI bootcamp varies depending on factors like program length, reputation, availability of student services, and provider. Make sure to calculate the total cost of your bootcamp before applying.
Costs to consider include tuition, required software or materials, and application fees. Other potential expenses include travel and living expenses. Financing options may include upfront payments, loans, deferred tuition, and income share agreements. Many schools offer discounts for students who pay their full tuition at the beginning of the program.
Some bootcamps may provide job guarantees, which allow enrollees to wait to pay until they find a UX/UI design job making a minimum salary. Income share agreements require graduates to pay a percentage of their salaries to cover tuition once they get jobs. Make sure to read financing contracts carefully to understand the fine print.
- Get more details about bootcamp costs
- Learn how to pay for a coding bootcamp
- Explore financial aid and scholarship options
- Use the GI Bill to pay for a coding bootcamp
What Jobs Can I Get After a UX/UI Bootcamp?
Online UX/UI bootcamps can open the door to exciting tech careers. UX/UI designers can find job opportunities across industries. Average salaries for graduates can start at around $66,000 for UI designers and increase to a median of more than $110,000 a year for software developers.
Explore the link below to learn more about different computer science careers.
UX Designers: These designers help make a user's interactions with software and hardware easier and more enjoyable. They design, test, and analyze prototypes and products. UX designers often collaborate with other designers, software developers, and data analysts. Important skills include experience with HTML, CSS, and Adobe Suite.
Average Annual Salary: $76,210
UI Designers: User interface designers arrange and create the part of a software program that end users see and interact with. They need to understand aspects of the entire software development lifecycle. These designers usually work in teams in offices, although some are freelancers.
Average Annual Salary: $66,390
Web Designers: These designers make websites more usable by creating website layouts, navigation, and functions. Web designers create prototypes, develop graphics, integrate video and audio into websites, and monitor website traffic. Popular employers include the computer systems design, publishing, and management industries. Many work as freelance employees.
Median Annual Salary: $77,200
Job Outlook (2020-30): +13%
Software Developers: Software developers create computer programs and applications. The BLS projects an excellent job outlook for software developers, spurred by the need for new applications on tablets, smartphones, and other devices. A software developer usually needs at least a bachelor's degree.
Median Annual Salary: $110,140
Job Outlook (2020-30): +22%
Other Computer Science Education Options
Interested students can pursue other computer science education opportunities beyond online UX/UI bootcamps. Some of these educational paths can replace or build on skills students learn in a UX/UI bootcamp. A degree may increase the number of available jobs to pursue.
Below, we describe other computer science education options and explain why someone may want to pursue one of these instead of a UX/UI bootcamp.
Associate Degree in Computer Science: A computer science associate degree can provide a strong option for someone considering a four-year degree in computer science but is still unsure.
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science: A computer science bachelor's degree provides a broad foundation in the practice and theories of the field. Its versatility can prepare students to apply for most entry-level computer science positions.
Master's Degree in Computer Science: A master's degree in computer science makes sense for someone who wants to develop advanced knowledge in the field. It can help graduates pursue higher-level positions with better salaries.
Ph.D. in Computer Science: People who want to develop expertise in computer science at the highest level can earn doctoral degrees in computer science. A Ph.D. can prepare graduates for university-level teaching and research.
Best UX/UI Design Bootcamps for 2022
Explore our alphabetical list of online UX/UI bootcamps in the U.S. accepting students in 2022. These schools offer intensive UX design bootcamps that can prepare participants to pursue tech careers. These programs are not casual, informational courses.
The 10 featured programs below are some of the most popular UX/UI design bootcamps based on name recognition. Each program's website mentions that its courses cover UX/UI.
Bethel School of Technology
Redding, California's Bethel School of Technology offers tech bootcamps grounded in Christianity. Students receive technical training while exploring their relationship with Christ.
UI/UX Design
Bethel Tech's online UX/UI design bootcamp takes 33 weeks to complete and includes more than 1,000 hours of career-relevant skills training. Each enrollee can earn up to 27 hours of transferable college credit and receive a certificate of completion.
The program explores design thinking, research methods, coding basics, and prototyping. Other topics include wireframes, data analysis, and product testing. Students complete and present capstone design projects for graduation. The program also develops soft skills in conflict resolution, accountability, and empathy.
Bethel Tech's Job Placement Assistance
Bethel Tech offers job skills development and job lead referrals. The school does not guarantee job placement.
Overview
Cost: $12,900
Format: Online
Length: 33 weeks
Other Courses Offered by Bethel Tech
Full Stack | Data Science | Cybersecurity | Bethel Kingdom Foundations Core
BrainStation
BrainStation helps people gain the skills they need to pursue new careers in tech. The school offers project-based bootcamps and part-time certificate courses online and in person.
UX Design Bootcamp
BrainStation's online UX design bootcamp offers full-time and part-time intensive study options. The curriculum explores UX research and strategy, user interface and app design, and responsive web design. The program's live classes include interactive, project-based learning with breakout room sessions. Subject matter experts give guest lectures and participate in panel discussions.
Students receive practical experience with real-world industry tools by completing portfolio projects with digital marketers, data scientists, web developers, and other BrainStation participants. Industry partners for portfolio projects include Mastercard, Google, and Adidas.
BrainStation's Job Placement Assistance
BrainStation boasts a 90% hiring rate within 180 days of graduation. The school maintains hiring partnerships with more than 6,500 hiring partners worldwide.
Overview
Cost: $16,500 (upfront)
Format: Online or on-campus; full-time or part-time
Other Courses Offered by BrainStation
Data Science | Web Development | Digital Marketing
CareerFoundry
CareerFoundry offers online tech education in UX/UI design, data analysis, and web development. The school can prepare participants with no previous experience to pursue tech careers.
UX Design Program
The online UX design bootcamp from CareerFoundry includes one-on-one expert mentorship, the chance to build a portfolio of real-world projects, and personalized coaching from the school's career services team. Students can choose part-time or full-time enrollment.
Industry experts created the program's skills-focused, practical curriculum. Coursework covers information architecture, design thinking, usability testing, and wireframing and prototyping. Participants get access to industry-standard design tools through special discounts and free trials.
CareerFoundry's Job Placement Assistance
Students benefit from a job guarantee that promises relevant employment within six months of graduation or a full tuition refund. CareerFoundry reports that it takes 78 days on average to find a job after graduation.
Overview
Cost: $7,505 (upfront)
Format: Online; full-time or part-time
Other Courses Offered by SCHOOL
UI Design | Web Development | Data Analytics | Digital Marketing
Coding Dojo
Coding Dojo prepares graduates for long-term success as STEM professionals. The school invites true beginners with no significant coding experience.
UI/UX Design Bootcamp
Coding Dojo's beginner-friendly online UI/UX design bootcamp incorporates real-world assignments, one-on-one career services, and portfolio prep. Classes include live interactive workshops, small group design critiques, and independent self-study. Students can access two hours of optional office hours weekly.
The curriculum explores concepting and prototyping, wireframing and prototyping, and developing a personal brand. Coding Dojo offers various scholarships for UI/UX design students, including a fund for students making less than $40,000 annually.
Coding Dojo's Job Placement Assistance
Coding Dojo boasts an 83.8% placement rate for students within 180 days of graduation. Graduates receive lifelong access to the school's career services.
Overview
Cost: $11,245
Format: Online; part-time
Length: 24 weeks
Other Courses Offered by Coding Dojo
Software Development | Data Science | Cybersecurity
Devmountain
Founded in 2013 before joining Strayer University, Devmountain offers immersive courses that prepare participants to pursue new tech careers. It offers hands-on, project-based programs created by industry experts.
UX Design Bootcamp
The 16-week UX design bootcamp from Devmountain can prepare students to apply for entry-level UX positions. Classes take place online or at Devmountain's campus in Lehi, Utah.
This part-time program suits working professionals and covers prototyping, visual design, information architecture, and analytics. Students also learn about accessibility and methodologies. The application process requires an online information form, a 20-30 minute consultation with an admissions counselor, and a skills review.
Devmountain's Job Placement Assistance
Devmountain's career support includes job search assistance, resume-building, interview prep, and employer networking.
Overview
Cost: $9,900
Format: Online or in-person; part-time
Length: 16 weeks
Other Courses Offered by Devmountain
Coding Basics | Web Development | Java Software Engineering | Python Software Engineering | Data Analytics | IOS Development | AQ Software | Cybersecurity
Flatiron School
Established in 2012 by a venture capitalist and self-taught computer programmer, Flatiron School became the first bootcamp provider to partner with the U.S. government in 2013.
UX/UI and Product Design Bootcamp
Flatiron School offers a UX/UI and product design bootcamp that can prepare students to apply for employment as digital product designers, web designers, and UX or UI designers in as little as 15 weeks. The UX/UI program offers online and on-campus options through full-time and part-time enrollment.
The curriculum explores ethical and inclusive design, designing mobile applications, and communicating design. Students also learn about product strategy, typography and color, and ideation and innovation. The bootcamp includes group work, paired design sessions, and lab time with instructional staff.
Flatiron's Job Placement Assistance
Flatiron School's career services include 180 days of one-on-one career coaching. Students get networking opportunities, resume help, and practice interviews.
Overview
Cost: $16,900 ($500 deposit)
Format: Online or on-campus; full-time or part-time
Length: 15 weeks (full-time) or 40 weeks (part-time)
Other Courses Offered by Flatiron School
Software Engineering | Data Science | Cybersecurity
General Assembly
Founded in 2011 in New York City, General Assembly now boasts programs in 39 cities and more than 100 learning products.
UX Design Bootcamp
General Assembly's industry-relevant UX design immersive bootcamp provides experience with wireframing, user research, prototyping, and usability testing. Students learn about teamwork, design critique, and UX/UI handoffs. The 12-week program can prepare graduates to pursue entry-level positions in UX design.
The full-time, online program includes pre-work on UX fundamentals and also offers 22 hours of optional, self-paced post-course learning opportunities. Each enrollee graduates with a portfolio of career-relevant projects.
General Assembly's Job Placement Assistance
Students can receive help from dedicated career coaches and access to exclusive networking events. General Assembly reports that 74.4% of 2020 graduates who participated in the school's full-time career services programs found jobs within six months of graduation.
Overview
Cost: $15,950 (upfront)
Format: Online; full-time
Length: 12 weeks
Other Courses Offered by General Assembly
Data Analytics | Software Engineering | Data Science | Front-End Web Development | Product Management
Kenzie Academy
Indianapolis, Indiana's Kenzie Academy trains future tech professionals with an emphasis on underserved populations. Kenzie Academy joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2021, which holds regional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education.
UX Design Certificate Program
Kenzie Academy offers a learner-focused UX design certificate program for working professionals. Students can graduate from this part-time, online UX design bootcamp in nine months with 20-25 hours of study each week.
Kenzie Academy's Job Placement Assistance
Kenzie Academy's career services team offers help with job search strategies, interview preparation, and resume writing.
Overview
Cost: $12,500
Format: Online; part-time
Length: 9 months
Other Courses Offered by SCHOOL
Full-Stack Web Development | Software Engineering
Springboard
Springboard offers online tech career preparation programs. The school boasts a leadership team comprised of 40% women.
UI/UX Design Bootcamp
Springboard's beginner-friendly online UI/UX design bootcamp can prepare students to apply for entry-level UI/UX designer jobs. The nine-month program develops career-relevant skills through hands-on coursework and a design project working with real clients. Students can graduate with portfolios of their work to show prospective employers.
The curriculum covers all stages of the UX/UI design process, including sketching, ideating, and design thinking. Participants learn about user-centered design, user research, and accessibility in design.
Springboard's Job Placement Assistance
Enrollees get one-on-one mentoring and dedicated career coaching from industry experts. Springboard guarantees that each graduate will find a job in six months or get a full tuition refund.
Overview
Cost: $11.900 (upfront)
Format: Online
Length: 9 months
Other Courses Offered by Springboard
Data Science | Data Analytics | Cybersecurity | Digital Marketing | Software Engineering | Tech Sales
Thinkful
This completely remote company, founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York City, employs more than 600 people who help students develop tech skills to pursue new jobs.
UX/UI Design Bootcamp
The online UX/UI design bootcamp from Thinkful can prepare enrollees to apply for tech roles in 5-6 months. The school offers free beginner-friendly practice exercises for anyone who wants to start exploring UX/UI design with no commitment.
Learners can develop skills in wireframe prototyping, user empathy, interactive design, and information architecture. Full-time students study with a cohort and devote 50 hours a week to the program. Part-time learners study independently for 20-25 hours a week.
Thinkful's Job Placement Assistance
Career services include personalized career coaching, unlimited technical interview practices, and LinkedIn and resume writing support.
Overview
Cost: $12,150 (upfront)
Format: Online; full-time or part-time
Length: 5-6 months
Other Courses Offered by Thinkful
Software Engineering | Data Science | Data Analytics | Digital Marketing | Technical Project Management
Burlington Code Academy
- UX-UI Design Bootcamp
- Online
- Full-time or part-time
- $12,000
Cornell University
- User Experience Design Certificate
- Online
- Part-time
- $2,520
Deep Dive Coding
- User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) Design
- Online
- Part-time
- $2,995
Designlab
- UX & UI Design
- Online
Ironhack
- UI/UX Design Bootcamp
- Online, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Miami, France
- Full-time or part-time
- $12,500
LearningFuze
- UI/UX Design Course
- Online or Irvine, California
- Part-time
- $3,995 (module 1) and $3,995 (module 2)
Louisiana State University, in partnership with Springboard
- UX/UI Design Bootcamp
- Online
- Part-time
- $12,555 (upfront)
V School
- UX/UI Design
- Online
- Full-time, part-time, or self-paced
Bootcamps offered in partnership with Trilogy Education Services
Trilogy Education Services partners with universities to offer bootcamps that can help people master tech skills and pursue new careers. Trilogy's programs focus on job readiness, learner support, and market-driven curricula.
- Columbia University
- George Washington University
- Northwestern University
- Rice University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Davis
- University of California, Irvine
- University of Denver
- University of Minnesota
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Texas at San Antonio
- University of Utah
Best Questions About UX/UI Design
Does UX/UI design require coding?
No. UX/UI design does not require coding. However, basic coding knowledge can give you an advantage over other UX/UI designers. Understanding some coding can also make it easier to collaborate with other tech workers and design better products.
Is UX/UI design a good career?
Yes. UX/UI design can offer high-paying jobs in an in-demand field. As companies move more information online, they need workers who can improve the user experience for websites and applications. Creative, analytical people can thrive as UX/UI designers.
How do I start a career in UX/UI design?
Enrolling in a UX design bootcamp is a good way to start a career in UX/UI design. Completing an internship can also help individuals pursue careers in this field.
Are UX design bootcamps worth it?
An online UX design bootcamp can provide the training and knowledge necessary to prepare students to apply for jobs in the tech field with strong salaries. To decide if a bootcamp is worth it, you can calculate your return on investment by comparing the cost of your bootcamp and your projected salary after graduation.
Featured Image Credit: Maskot | DigitalVision | Getty Images
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