Jeff Siarto
Interim Program Director of UX, MS
Jeff Siarto is a designer, author, and software developer with over 20 years of experience designing and building user interfaces for the web. Prior to MSU, Jeff worked as the Director of User Experience at Element 84 where he led design initiatives for NASA's Earth Observation system, along with various public and private-sector geospatial projects
Program Overview
The Department of Information and Media offers a fully online, asynchronous masters-level program in User Experience (UX) to accelerate career prospects of early and mid-career professionals for leadership roles. UX focuses on humans interacting with technologies, as well as business goals, during the design process to create user-centered and socially responsive interactive technologies, applications, and information systems. The program enables students to earn a masters from one of the world’s leading programs without the expense and overall challenges associated with leaving their home or job. The 30-credit program emphasizes a “user-first” perspective, meaning it integrates knowledge of human-computer interaction with industry-relevant methods and social responsibility to prepare students for real-world experiences in the workplace, including technical and/or management careers in user-first experience design and human-centered research.
Program Outcomes
This premier online graduate user experience program combines user-first theoretical and practical knowledge of experience design that will help students build their skills and expertise to become champions of change, drivers of innovation, and creators of sustainable user experiences and engagements. With a Master of Science in User Experience from MSU, graduates will be prepared to:
- Become a UX leader, driving the technology behind product design and marketing
- Qualify for UX job roles such as designer, researcher, or project manager
- Design more usable and accessible websites, software, and products for diverse audiences
- Collect, analyze, and interpret user experience data to inform decision making
- Advance dynamic IT developments in the 21st century global workplace
Career Outlook
The User Experience program will position students for rewarding, well-paying careers in human-computer interaction, user experience design, and human-centered research. Graduates will have job titles that reflect the major UX areas:
- UX Design: UX designer, experience designer, interaction designer, or information architect
- UX Strategist: UX strategist, UX architect, UX product manager, or UX analyst
- Visual Design: Visual information designer, user interface (UI) designer, UI artist, or digital designer
- Research and Usability: UX researcher or usability researcher/specialist/analyst
- Content: Content strategist or UX copywriter
Career Pathways and Potential Earnings
Graduates of User Experience can expect job titles and median salaries similar to the following:
Career Pathways and Potential Earnings for User Experience Students
Target Occupation
National Median Salary (USD)
User Experience Designers
$98,093
Front End Web Developers
$90,938
Disclaimer: Salary data is sourced from © 2026 Lightcast, based on information from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Please note that this information is intended solely for reference purposes. MSU Online disclaims any responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies, omissions, or errors in the data.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 29th among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
- Veteran-Friendly 'Gold Status' 10 Years in a Row — Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, 2025
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$978.25
$978.25
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found on the "Estimate Your Cost of Attendance" page.