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Graduate Certificate in User Research

The Graduate Certificate in User Research provides students with in-depth knowledge and practical mastery of qualitative research methods rooted in ethnography, with an emphasis on how user research informs design thinking.

Degree Requirements

Degree requirements and course descriptions can be found in the graduate course catalog.

Course Descriptions

ANTH 540 FUNDAMENTALS OF DESIGN ANTHROPOLOGY (3-0-3) (F). Advanced introduction to anthropological contributions to design thinking, and the reciprocal impact of design thinking on the practice of anthropology. Exploration of the principles and practices of participatory design, interaction design, user-centered design, and behavior-centered design.

ANTH 541 ETHNOGRAPHY FOR USER EXPERIENCE RESEARCH (3-0-3) (F/S/SU). Advanced introduction to the ethnographic tradition in anthropology, and its adaptation for applications outside academia. Emphasis on ethnography in user experience research, and the place of user experience in design thinking. Includes practical exercises and ethical practices.

ANTH 542 EMERGING DIGITAL CULTURES (3-0-3) (F/S/SU). Explores contemporary ethnographic studies of the cultural impact of emerging digital technologies on multiple dimensions of social life, from the future of work to shopping and leisure, from political life to private experience. Considers influences on design decisions, and how those decisions impact the human condition.

 

How to Apply

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to have earned at least a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or a degree from a non-U.S. institution of higher education that is judged equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree by the International Admissions office and have an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 (based on a 4-point scale) computed for all undergraduate credits from the applicant’s most recent baccalaureate degree.

A prospective student may apply at any time and should follow the general graduate application procedures for degree-seeking students (See Graduate Admission Requirements).

Required Application Materials

The following items are required for the Graduate Certificate in User Research application:

  1. Graduate College Application – Complete the Graduate College application. Once you complete the Graduate College portion of the online application and pay the application fee, the User Research program application requirements will be made available to you.
  2. Transcripts – Please request official copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts to be sent to Boise State. Learn more about submitting transcripts to Boise State.
  3. Personal Statement – A 1000-word statement explaining how the Graduate Certificate in user Research relates to your broader professional goals. In this statement please address the knowledge and skills you hope to acquire in earning the certificate.
  4. Resume – A current Resume
  5. Two letters of recommendation – from a supervisor or academic instructor. Applicants will provide contact information for two references in the application system. Upon submission of the recommender contact information, an email will be sent to the recommender with a link to upload a letter of recommendation.