A Flexible Degree Program

The User Experience Design (UX) program is open to all students. Courses are taught through a blend of in-person and online formats to allow for maximum schedule flexibility. Our program is structured to help you thrive, no matter your unique academic background or career aspirations.

Traditional undergraduate students can easily major in User Experience Design (UX) with a double-major, minor or double-minor in a related or complementary field such as Computer Science, Digital Media Management, Entrepreneurship, Graphic Design, Psychology or Writing and Rhetoric. 

Transfer students can accelerate their path to graduation with a BA in UX Design. With an associate’s degree, you can merge your prior accomplishments with our comprehensive UX curriculum to graduate in two years, even if you’ve never taken a UX class. If you’ve completed the Texas Common Core, you’ll be able to finish in two-and-a-half or three years. You could also consider adding a related minor like Digital Storytelling and Content Creation or Digital Marketing 

Degree Plan

Major Requirements: The BA in User Experience Design requires 36 hours of User Experience Design major courses focusing on areas such as UX foundations, ethical research, digital product design, front-end development and design for social impact.

General Education Requirements: The degree requires approximately 40 hours of general education courses which students complete over four years in addition to their major courses and electives.

View and download the full degree plan for the User Experience Design major (PDF).

A few examples of courses students take in the major:

• Interactive Technology – Focuses on the creation and delivery of digital content such as film, music and games, and provides a survey of technologies such as mp3, DVD, portable devices, broadband networks and wireless systems. The course also introduces tools and techniques to develop an Internet site.
• UX Methods – Examines the methods, processes, and tools used in UX Design. You’ll explore how to approach, identify, and address problems. Special focus will be given to studying users, aka people, and the systems that shape their experiences.
• Professional Practices – You’ll explore career options available within creative disciplines, develop a portfolio of your work, and build basic career management skills. A portfolio review and introduction of strategies for success as a creative professional allow you to begin planning for graduation and beyond. 

Many of the UX courses are taught online, immersing you in the digital spaces for which you’ll be designing. You’ll also get comfortable traversing the dynamic digital landscape where UX professionals work virtually with teams, clients and customers in town or around the globe. 

As a User Experience Design (UX) major, you’ll be immersed in hands-on projects, collaborative problem-solving, thoughtful observation and digital innovation both in and outside of the classroom. And, like all majors at St. Edward’s, the UX major will teach you to consider how diverse social identities influence your work, as people’s cultural backgrounds and physical abilities shape their expectations for the user experience.

Experiential Education

With every UX project, you’ll get the chance to learn by doing. You might create an educational website or VR tour, a productivity or food ordering app prototype or a proposal for an interactive museum exhibit. The UX classes you take will build your professional preparedness: 

• UX Studios (Digital Spaces and Hybrid Modalities) allows you to improve a user-experience scenario on campus. You’ll partner with other departments and offices across the university on UX-related initiatives and see your contributions used.
• UX for Social Good invites you to apply UX processes to address a social issue. As part of a team, you’ll research an issue, identify a community need and formulate a user-focused solution.
• UX Senior Studio challenges you to apply your skills and knowledge to collaboratively design a minimum viable product (MVP) for an on-campus, community or corporate partner.   

Student Organizations & Programming 

As a UX major at St. Edward's, you’ll have an array of opportunities for professional growth, creativity and community building. Some student favorites are:

• Women in Technology (WiT) focuses on empowering women-identifying students in technology fields. WiT is pivotal in building a supportive community and offering resources for professional advancement, including networking events, workshops, and guest speaker sessions.
• Innovation Lab, sponsored by the Munday Library, attracts tinkerers who enjoy working on projects involving origami, sewing, LEDs and simple circuits, projection mapping and creating art through programming.
• AI Club aims to demystify artificial intelligence for students. The club offers resources, workshops and discussions on AI developments that prepare students to leverage AI in their careers and personal projects.
• Command G, the graphic design group, enhances students’ design skills through studio tours, museum visits, lecture series, and screenprinting and risograph workshops. 
• Video Game Association hosts game nights — with a mix of console games, PC games, MTG, D&D and handheld games — as well as LAN parties and tournaments.
• Topper Studios is the digital media club. Members are involved in creating podcasts, YouTube channels, short films, music videos and comedy sketches, and helping their fellow students produce digital content. Students in Topper Studios also frequently make promotional videos for other clubs at St. Edward’s.
• The Computer Science Club helps students build their skills through events like Capture the Flag, a cybersecurity-focused programming competition.
• The St. Edward’s Maker Club attracts tinkerers and programmers who have worked on projects involving 3-D printing, soldering, programming LED strips, and creating art through programming.
• The Digital Media Center in the Munday Library is a resource for creating content and learning new skills. Here, you can produce and edit videos, podcasts and visual design projects with the help of your fellow students. The lab is equipped with top-of-the-line computers running the latest software including the Adobe Creative Suite. It also has a group editing/podcasting room, a green screen room and a “whisper room” used for voiceovers. If you are skilled at software, hardware repair, graphic design or video editing, you can apply to work in the lab as a digital media specialist.

Internships

Your UX faculty will mentor you through finding an internship opportunity, whether at a nonprofit, startup, agency or multinational corporation. An internship will extend your learning into the professional world, bolster your résumé and provide valuable industry insights and networking opportunities. Recent UX students have interned with:

• Royale, a creative agency known for its innovative approach to digital experiences
• Council on Foreign Relations, a nonpartisan organization influencing dialogue on global issues
• The Museum of Human Achievement, an organization pursuing access, inclusivity and affordability for artists

A degree in User Experience (UX) Design opens doors to a wide range of in-demand jobs.  Here's a sample of positions employers look for, plus additional majors and minors to consider that enhance your degree.

• UX Designers focus on improving the usability, accessibility and delight a person encounters when using a digital product. 
• UX Researchers specialize in understanding user behaviors, needs and motivations through observation techniques, task analysis and other research methodologies. (Consider a double major or minor in Psychology.)
• Interaction Designers create engaging interfaces that enable users to achieve their objectives in the best way possible.
• Information Architects organize information and content in a way that users can easily navigate and understand.
• Product Managers act as the bridge between the stakeholders and help define the direction and features of a digital product. (Consider a double major in Digital Media Management.)
• UI Designers or Product Designers ensure the digital product is optimally functional and aesthetically pleasing. (Consider a double major or minor in Graphic Design.)
• Content Strategists align the communication style and messaging with user needs and business goals. (Consider a double major or minor in Writing and Rhetoric.)
• Front-End Designers develop highly interactive and visually appealing websites and mobile apps. Coding knowledge is beneficial. (Consider a minor in Computer Science or the Coding for Non-Coders certificate.) 

A minor in User Experience Design can equip you with valuable creative and technical skills that benefit any number of other professional endeavors. As a minor, you must take the following courses, totaling 18 hours:

Required Courses:

• Intro to User Experience
• UX Methods
• Interactive Technology
• UX Studio: Digital Spaces
• UX Studio: Hybrid Modalities
• One of the following electives: 
  • UX for Social Good
  • Methods of Digital Production
  • Topics in UX

Are you a current student? Contact your advisor for next steps in declaring your major or minor.

At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.

View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Visual Studies webpage.

A Flexible Degree Program

The Digital Storytelling and Content Creation program is open to all students. Courses are taught through a blend of in-person and online formats to allow for maximum schedule flexibility

Traditional undergraduate students can easily major in Digital Storytelling and Content Creation with a double-major, minor or double-minor in a related or complementary field such as Animation, Communication, Computer Science, Graphic Design, Digital Media Management, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, User Experience Design, Video Game Development, or Writing and Rhetoric.  

Transfer students who enter with an associate’s degree can graduate in two years. If you’ve taken the Texas Common Core, you’ll be able to finish in three. Some courses within the program are offered online to allow you greater flexibility in balancing academics, work and family responsibilities.

Degree Plan

Major Requirements: 
The Digital Storytelling and Content Creation degree requires 30 hours of major coursework.

General Education Requirements: 
All majors require 44 hours of general education that students complete over four years, in addition to their major courses.

View and download the full degree plan for the Digital Storytelling and Content Creation major (PDF). View the Transfer Advising Guides for Digital Storytelling and Content Creation.

Student Organizations and Campus Resources 

Get involved with student organizations that give you the opportunity to apply your storytelling and content development skills in a cross section of digital mediums.

• Hilltop Views, the student news site, published both digitally and in print. Student journalists report news from the campus and greater Austin community. You can get involved as early as your freshman year as a writer, editor, photographer, videographer or designer.
• The Command G graphic design group furthers skills through studio tours, museum visits, lecture series, workshops, screen printing and risograph workshops.
• Topper Radio is the student-run radio station.
• Topper Studios is the digital media club. Members are involved in creating podcasts, YouTube channels, short films, music videos and comedy sketches, and helping their fellow students produce digital content. Students in Topper Studios also frequently make promotional videos for other clubs at St. Edward’s.
• The Digital Media Center in the Munday Library is a resource for creating your own content and learning new skills. Here, you can produce and edit videos, podcasts and visual design projects with the help of your fellow students. The lab is equipped with top-of-the-line computers running the latest software including the Adobe Creative Suite. It also has a group editing/podcasting studio, a green screen room and a “whisper room” used for voiceovers. If you are skilled at software, hardware repair, graphic design or video editing, you can apply to work in the lab as a digital media specialist.

Any student at St. Edward’s may minor in Digital Storytelling and Content Creation. The minor provides a broad-based introduction to the discipline of digital storytelling as well as an opportunity for students to explore — in more depth — a specific concentration.

Students who wish to earn a Digital Storytelling and Content Creation minor must take the following required coursework, totaling 18 hours, plus one 3-hour elective course.

Required Courses: (15 required hours + 1 elective = 18 hours)

• Introduction to Digital Storytelling and Content Creation – DSCC 1301 
• Visual Studies 1 – VISU 1311 
• Digital Media Production and Design – JOUR 3314 
• Interactive Storytelling – VGAM 3328 
• Collaboration in the Digital Workplace – DSCC 4331 

At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.

View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Visual Studies webpage.

Required Courses (18 hours)

Students who wish to earn an Art History minor must take the following coursework with at least nine (9) hours of upper-division coursework.* 

• Art History I
• Art History II
• Modernists + Others –or– Topics in Contemporary Art

Students select three elective courses from among Topics in Art History (repeatable), History of Photography, PHIL 3310 (Aesthetics), and either Modernists & Others –or– Topics in Contemporary Art (whichever not taken for the required 9 credits).

Are you a current student? Contact your advisor for next steps on declaring your major or minor. 

*Art Majors (already taking 12 of these credits for the major) must take an additional three (3) credits in electives to fulfill university requirements for minors.

Through the Art History minors, students have access to local art, artists, exhibitions and art programs for critique experience. Students have also used local internships in galleries or museums toward their minor.

At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.

View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Visual Studies webpage.

Degree Requirements

Major Requirements: The B.A. in Video Game Development requires 56 hours of major courses, which include courses in computational foundations, digital media, visual studies, and game development. 

General Education Requirements: The degree requires approximately 40 hours of general education courses which students complete over four years in addition to their major courses and electives.

• View and download the full degree plan for the Video Game Development major (PDF).

A few examples of courses students take in this major:

• Interactive Storytelling – This seminar contrasts traditional storytelling with the particular challenges of interactive narrative. Students develop an ability to craft interactive narrative and explore the range of storytelling techniques available in video games.
• Game Design Studio I – Designed as a portfolio course, this course explores gameplay in 2D space and gives the student the opportunity to expand their game design portfolio by creating interactive projects using sound game design tools and methods.
• Introduction to Game Audio – This course will give students a solid understanding of physics of audio and sound design techniques used to record and produce sound effects, ambient tracks, and dialog for video games.  

Skills You Will Gain

Upon completing the Acting program, you’ll be ready to…

• Confidently craft interactive narratives;
• Expand your game design portfolio by creating interactive projects using sound game design tools and methods;
• Understand the physics of audio;
• Adapt to new technologies and consumer needs;
• Implement sound design techniques used to record and produce sound effects, ambient tracks and dialog for video games.

At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.

View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Visual Studies webpage.

Degree Plan

Major Requirements: 
The BA in Photography and Media Arts requires 51 hours of major courses, which include a combination of visual studies and photography coursework.

Electives: 
Students complete 6 hours of elective courses in photography, focusing on a range of different topics. Past topics include: Installation Strategies, Documentary Photography, Digital Darkroom, Alternative Processes and Photographic Book Design.

General Education Requirements: 
The degree requires 42–57 hours of general education courses that students complete over four years in addition to their major courses and electives. There is ample opportunity to minor in other areas in addition to the major and general education courses.

View and download the full degree plan for the Photography and Media Arts (PDF) major.

A few examples of courses students in this major take:          

• Intermediate Digital Imaging: Students build visual solutions while learning and working with techniques such as panoramic imagery, large-scale composite image prints, image post-production and handmade books.
• Large Camera – This course in black-and-white photography focuses on the use of the view camera, view camera optics, metering techniques and basic Zone System techniques.
• Studio and Location Projects – This course introduces students to the professional use of the studio, studio lighting and studio production techniques.
• Video – This course is an introduction to the theory and technical aspects of video production with an emphasis on the aesthetic and communicative potential of the medium.

For more details and course descriptions, view and download the Undergraduate Course Bulletin (PDF).

Skills You Will Gain

Upon completing the Photography and Media Arts program, you’ll be ready to …

• Cultivate your ability to think and create while mastering contemporary digital imaging technologies.
• Shoot and process black and white film.
• Gain experience in the creation of video/film narratives.
• Create silver gelatine prints.
• Break new ground with contemporary digital technologies.
• Think outside of the box through electives like Documentary Photography, Photographic Book Design and other approaches to the media arts. 
• Photograph and perform professional quality, post-production techniques and DAM (digital asset management) of your work. 

Experiential Learning

Every Photography and Media Arts student completes a semester-long internship class. Students have worked with professional commercial photographers, media production houses, a national network affiliate TV station, the Austin History Center, and a documentary film producer. They have also interned with well-known exhibition venues including those specializing in work by women artists and Latino/indigenous artists of color. Internships are conducted both locally and outside of Austin.

Advanced Facilities

Students majoring in Photography and Media Arts study leading digital imaging practices and learn traditional darkroom and (analog) film-based camera skills. Many photography programs across the U.S. have scaled back or eliminated their wet process facilities. St. Edward’s maintains a fully-equipped photo lab that allows students to print 35mm to 4x5 inch film. Students also gain experience in the creation of video/film narratives. 

Photo Lab

In addition to the digital capture/scanning and large format printing facilities you should expect at any top-line university program, we provide darkroom facilities for film processing, printing and alternative processes. Large-format cameras and lenses; studio and location strobe equipment; portable flashes, tripods, and light meters; and other equipment are available for students to check out at no charge. 

Studio and location skills are also taught in our professional studio facility. Digital work is completed in the Visu Printing Lab equipped with scanners and large format printers dedicated to the Visual Studies Department.

Art Gallery

The Department of Visual Studies Fine Arts Gallery is a teaching space featuring rotating exhibitions from outside the university and exhibits by current students. Painting, printmaking, installation, video, sculpture, ceramics, design and photography are on view, depending on the season’s schedule. 

Courses can support any other academic program, and students majoring in other fields are welcome to minor in Photography and Media Arts. In addition, several courses may be taken as electives by non-majors.

Required Courses:

• Visual Studies I
• Analog Photography I
• Styles & Themes (topic varies by semester)
• Intermediate Digital Imaging
• History of Photography​

Elective Courses:

In addition, students select three elective courses in the major. Courses students can choose from include:

• Styles and Themes (repeatable when topics vary)
• Studio and Location Projects
• Topics in Photography and Media Arts

At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.

View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Visual Studies webpage.

Major Requirements: The BA in Graphic Design requires 49 hours of graphic design major courses, which include a combination of introductory coursework, visual studies, art, and graphic design.

General Education Requirements: The Graphic Design degree requires 57 hours of general education courses that students complete over four years in addition to their major courses and electives.

View and download the full degree plan for our Graphic Design major.

At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.

View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Visual Studies webpage.

Major Requirements: The Bachelor of Arts with a major in Art requires 58 hours of core coursework. Students focus on media exploration and skill development through courses in painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpture. Art history courses support both contextual and conceptual development that is essential for emerging artists, and students conclude their studies through the culminating experience course sequence: Senior Studio I and II, which require the development of an independent creative project, a senior exhibition in the Fine Arts Gallery, and a thesis paper

General Education Requirements: The Art degree requires an average of 38–44 hours of general education courses that students complete over four years in addition to their major courses and electives.

View and download the full degree plan for our Art major.

Students who wish to earn an Art minor must take the following coursework, totaling 24 hours, with at least 9 hours of upper-division coursework. This includes four required courses: 

• Foundations of Art and Design
• Drawing I
• Clay: Handbuilding
• Art History I or Art History II

Students select three elective courses in Art History I, Art History II, Drawing II or Watercolor I, Sculpture: Materials, or Clay: Wheel Throwing.

Are you a current student? Contact your advisor for next steps on declaring your major or minor.

At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.

View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Visual Studies webpage.

The Asian Pop Culture Club is your home for discussions of all things anime, K-pop, and other aspects of Asian pop culture.

Are you an editorial cartoonist? Submit your work to Hilltop Views, the weekly student newspaper, which covers news from the campus and greater Austin community.

B. Hooved is the student humor journal, inspired by our Hilltopper goat mascot.

Command G is the graphic design club. Members visit local museums and design studios, host critique nights, and create their own designs in button-making, screen-printing and risograph workshops.

The St. Edward’s Maker Club attracts tinkerers and programmers who have worked on projects involving 3-D printing, soldering, programming LED strips, and creating art through programming.

Topper Studios is the digital media club. Members are involved in creating podcasts, YouTube channels, short films, music videos and comedy sketches, and helping their fellow students produce digital content. Students in Topper Studios also frequently make promotional videos for other clubs at St. Edward’s.

The Digital Media Center in the Munday Library is a resource for creating your own content and learning new skills. Here you can produce and edit videos, podcasts and visual design projects with the help of your fellow students. The lab is equipped with top-of-the-line computers running the latest software including the Adobe Creative Suite. It also has a group editing/podcasting room, a green screen room and a “whisper room” used for voiceovers. If you are skilled at software, hardware repair, graphic design or video editing, you can apply to work in the lab as a digital media specialist.

Major Requirements: The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation requires 60 hours of coursework. The Animation program offers a mixture of video game animation courses and fine arts courses to support both technical and conceptual development that is essential for emerging animators. 

General Education Requirements: The degree requires 54 hours of general education courses that students compete over four years, in addition to their major courses and electives.

View and download the full degree plan for our Animation major.

For more information about the Animation minor:

At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.

View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Visual Studies webpage.