M.A. in Interaction Design — Admissions, Funding & FAQs

M.A. in IxD

Explore the Program

Program Overview
Learn about the IxD program, its focus on UX and interaction design, and career outcomes.

Curriculum and Courses
Explore the courses that make up the 30-credit master’s degree.

Admissions and FAQs
Review application requirements, deadlines and frequently asked questions.

Apply to UNT
Start your graduate application.

The University of North Texas offers a Master of Arts in Interaction Design (IxD) through the College of Visual Arts and Design. The program prepares students for careers in user experience (UX), interaction design and digital product development.

Students develop skills in user research, design strategy, prototyping and usability testing in a collaborative, studio-based environment that emphasizes critical thinking, communication and interdisciplinary problem solving. The 30-credit-hour degree can typically be completed in 16–24 months, depending on start term and enrollment. Students may also take individual courses to support professional development or complement a graduate degree in a related field.

Located in Denton, Texas, within the Dallas–Fort Worth region, the program connects students to one of the fastest-growing technology and design job markets in the United States, with opportunities to pursue internships, collaborate with industry partners and build professional networks while completing the degree.

Program Snapshot

Degree: Master of Arts in Interaction Design (M.A.)

Credits: 30 graduate credit hours

Completion time: 16 to 24 months

Format: In-person, studio-based courses

Class schedule: Evening courses, 6:30–9:20 p.m. — pursue your M.A. in IxD while continuing your professional career!

Location: UNT College of Visual Arts and Design, Art Building, Denton, Texas

Start terms: Fall or Spring

Attendance: Students may enroll in full-time or part-time attendance.

Apply Now: UNT Graduate Admissions

Who This Program Is For

UNT’s Master of Arts in Interaction Design is the only graduate program of its kind in North Texas and prepares students for careers in user experience design, product design and interaction design. The program is designed for individuals who want to build expertise in user experience research, interaction design strategy and digital product development.

Students in the program often include:

Designers seeking to deepen their UX and research skills
Working professionals transitioning into UX or product design
Graduates from fields such as marketing, communication, psychology or business who want to work in digital product development
Individuals interested in combining research, design strategy and technology to solve complex problems

Because courses meet in the evening, the program is especially well-suited for working professionals in the Dallas–Fort Worth region who want to pursue a graduate degree while continuing their careers.

Application Deadlines

Fall 2026 Admission

International applicants: May 15, 2026, 5 p.m. CDT

U.S. applicants: June 19, 2026, 5 p.m. CDT

Admissions review for Fall 2026 began Nov. 28, 2025. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.

Spring 2027 Admission

International and U.S. applicants: Sept. 11, 2026, 5 p.m. CDT

Admissions review begins June 19, 2026.

Applicants begin the process through the UNT Graduate Admissions portal.

Interested in the M.A. in Interaction Design?

Prospective students are encouraged to connect with the program to learn more about the curriculum, admissions and career opportunities in user experience and interaction design.

Next Steps

Explore the program overview.
Contact the program with questions about admissions or curriculum.
Begin your graduate application.

Apply to UNT Graduate Admissions

Frequently Asked Questions

Program Structure & Learning Environment

Learn how the Master of Arts in Interaction Design program is structured, when courses meet and what students can expect from the studio learning environment.

Interaction design is the creation of a dialogue between a person and a product, system or service, focusing on the interactive experience.

Interaction designers create effective and efficient ways for people to use digital products and services in everyday life. Their work focuses on designing experiences for websites, mobile apps and emerging technologies so users can achieve their goals easily and intuitively.

Interaction designers often collaborate with professionals in fields such as computer science, psychology, anthropology, business and technical communication. Their work typically involves user research, design strategy, prototyping and usability testing.

Successful interaction design aims to create experiences that are:

Desirable
Easy to understand
Effective at helping people achieve their goals

The Master of Arts in Interaction Design is a 30-credit-hour graduate degree designed to be completed in 16–24 months.

Key details include:

In-person instruction
Evening courses from 6:30–9:20 p.m.
Courses taught at the UNT College of Visual Arts and Design in Denton, Texas

Students may begin the program in either the Fall or Spring semester, though a Fall start allows the shortest completion timeline.

The program maintains small cohorts to support collaborative studio-based learning.

Typical enrollment includes:

Fall admission: approximately 9–14 students
Spring admission: approximately 4–6 students
Typical class size: 10–18 students

Most core courses are taught in the UNT Art Building, home of the College of Visual Arts and Design.

UNT College of Visual Arts and Design

1201 W. Mulberry St.

Denton, TX 76201

Courses typically meet Monday through Thursday evenings from 6:30–9:20 p.m.

Some elective courses required for the program may be offered elsewhere on the UNT Denton campus.

Yes. Some courses in the program may be taken individually by students who meet UNT graduate admission requirements.

This option is often used by professionals who want to strengthen their knowledge of user experience or interaction design without completing the full Master’s degree.

Admissions and Application Requirements & Funding

Review application requirements, portfolio expectations and admissions policies for the Master’s in Interaction Design program.

Applicants must submit:

Online application through UNT Graduate Admissions
Résumé or CV
Portfolio or work archive containing 5–8 examples of work
Statement of intent (400–700 words)
Official transcripts
Application fee ($75)

Admissions decisions place strong emphasis on the portfolio, statement of intent and résumé.

Application Fee: The department does not issue application fee waivers. Limited waivers may occasionally be available through select Graduate Admissions recruitment initiatives or events.

Requests for application fee waivers should be directed to the Graduate Admissions office via email at GoGrad@unt.edu.

Prospective students are encouraged to review upcoming Graduate Admissions events for opportunities to learn more about the application process: UNT Admissions Events.

Applicants must submit an online portfolio or archive containing 5 to 8 examples of their strongest work. No exceptions.

Materials may include:

UX, IxD or UI design projects
Academic or professional writing
Research or systems thinking projects
Branding, product or interaction design examples
Collaborative or interdisciplinary work

Use of generative AI is permitted only if clearly disclosed and explained. Undeclared AI-generated work will result in automatic rejection.

Applicants must submit a 400- to 700-word, original, non-plagiarized, non-AI-generated statement of intent.

Strong statements clearly articulate the following.

Why the applicant is pursuing UX/IxD
Long-term professional goals
Leadership interests and problem-solving mindset

Clear, thoughtful writing is essential for admission, as is attention to detail.

No. The program does not require GRE or GMAT scores.

Applicants typically hold a four-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0, though admissions decisions are made holistically. Far greater emphasis is placed on the applicant’s portfolio, statement of intent and résumé.

International applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate strong English proficiency because of the writing- and discussion-intensive nature of the program.

Minimum requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall (7.0 preferred)

TOEFL: 85

Duolingo scores may be accepted by UNT Graduate Admissions, but are not recommended for the M.A. in IxD program.

More information: UNT English Language Proficiency webpage

No. The M.A. in Interaction Design program is not a STEM-designated degree.

Students are therefore:

Not eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension
Students are eligible for standard OPT and may qualify for up to a six-month extension if they complete an IxD-related internship for academic credit during the program.

Funding opportunities are competitive and based on:

Strength of application materials
Demonstrated need
Relevant academic or professional experience

Available opportunities may include:

Scholarships
Teaching Assistantships that must be applied for after admission and after enrollment
Research or project-based appointments
Professional internships (most often paid, typically $21–$32/hour)

Teaching Assistants must demonstrate strong spoken and written English proficiency and receive a faculty recommendation.

More information
UNT Financial Aid & Scholarships
UNT International Scholarships, Grants & Waivers

UX Careers, Salary

Explore typical UX career paths and salary expectations.

Graduates of the program pursue roles such as:

UX or Interaction Designer
UX Researcher or Strategist
Product Designer
Information Architect
UX Writer
Design Project Manager
Product Owner

Career outcomes depend on portfolio quality, professional skills and alignment with industry needs.

Interaction designers work in design consultancies, technology companies and organizations with in-house UX teams. The Dallas–Fort Worth region hosts hundreds of companies employing UX and interaction design professionals across industries, including technology, finance and healthcare.

Employers in the Dallas–Fort Worth region and beyond include organizations such as:

Salary varies depending on experience, skills, geographic location and employer type.

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas Workforce Commission, Glassdoor and Payscale suggest the median annual salary for interaction designers in Texas typically ranges from approximately $76,000 to $89,000 per year.

The highest salaries for interaction designers in Dallas can reach over $160,000–$184,000 annually for senior or lead roles. While the average annual salary is typically between $100,000 and $160,000, high-end roles, particularly in tech or specialized industries, can exceed this range, with some estimates citing top salaries as high as $330,000 in senior roles. Source: Zip Recruiter, UI/UX Jobs Board.

Next Step

Explore the M.A. in Interaction Design overview at the top of the page.