U of A Offers User Experience Training at Deep Discount Amid Pandemic

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas Professional and Workforce Development is providing online User Experience Certification classes by Nielsen Norman Group for only $99, a discount being offered to Arkansans during October thanks to grant funding.

The U of A is cutting the cost, normally $1,999, to assist Arkansans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online UX sessions are set for Fridays, Oct. 23 through Nov. 20. A state grant helped fund User Experience and other IT Readiness programs. Certification exam costs are separate.

“As a giveback to the Northwest Arkansas workforce during these challenging times, pricing for this round of UX training has been drastically reduced,” said Mark Berkowick, assistant director of workforce studies at the Global Campus. “Normal pricing will return for future UX training.”

Participants can register online to attend five day-long, immersive classes. Each class gives IT professionals the skills needed to enhance user experience for websites and applications, update valuable work skills and expand careers.

Contract trainers from Nielsen Norman Group, a world leader in research-based user experience, will teach the workshop’s classes: Design Thinking, Journey Mapping, Analytics and User Experience, Application Design for Web and Desktop, and Web Page UX Design.

All classes for the industry-recognized certification will be streamed live online and led by Nielsen Norman Group instructors. NN/g UX certification can be earned by completing all five courses and passing an exam for each course. Exam fees are not included in the cost of the training classes.

The UX Certification Program is open to all Arkansans. It is recommended that participants have 1 to 3 years of UX or product-design experience, actively work on or have started with an IT design team, and be familiar with Agile development.

U of A Professional and Workforce Development has temporarily suspended face-to-face training courses to align with the U of A’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. See the U of A Professional and Workforce Development website for more training options.

About Global Campus: The Global Campus supports U of A academic colleges and schools in the development and delivery of online degree programs and courses, self-paced online courses, and workforce development programs. It provides instructional design services, learning technology support, media production services, and assistance with financial administration, recruitment and marketing.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among fewer than 3% of colleges and universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.