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Associate of Arts in Faith-Based UX Design (Specialization in Digital Media)

Academic unitCollege of Computer ScienceTotal credits60Estimated duration2 yearsSource documentAssociate_of_Arts_in_Faith_Based_UX_Design__Specialization_in__Digital_Media_.docx

Program Overview

Official program overview

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

A.A. in Faith-Based UX Design

Total program length

60 semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Two academic years

General education

18 credit hours

Faith-Based UX Design core

30 credit hours

Professional application courses

9 credit hours

Capstone requirement

3 credit hours

The Associate of Arts in Faith-Based UX Design is a specialized two-year degree program housed within the College of Computer Science. This curriculum blends rigorous technical training in user experience research, interface design, and information architecture with a foundation in ethical stewardship and human-centered design principles. Students engage with both contemporary digital design methodologies and the philosophical frameworks necessary for creating impactful, accessible, and compassionate digital experiences within diverse community settings.

Beyond technical proficiency, the program emphasizes the intersection of technology and mission-driven service. By exploring user behavior and interface utility through the lens of community impact, students learn to design digital tools that enhance engagement and inclusivity. The curriculum challenges students to consider the long-term societal and ethical consequences of digital architecture, fostering a commitment to excellence and professional integrity in every design project.

The Associate of Arts in Faith-Based UX Design provides foundational study in user experience methodology, human-computer interaction, and digital strategy, seamlessly integrated with theological principles. Students explore the intersection of human development, digital communication, and ethical design standards to create meaningful environments for digital ministry. The curriculum emphasizes the application of technical skills and community resources to develop supportive digital service practices that effectively serve faith-based organizations and their diverse audiences.

Program Facts

Program facts

Degree abbreviation: A.A. in Faith-Based UX Design
Total program length: 60 semester credit hours
Normal completion time: Two academic years
General education: 18 credit hours
Professional application courses: 9 credit hours
Capstone requirement: 3 credit hours
Academic unit: College of Computer Science
Total credits: 60
Duration: 2 years

Program Description

Official program description

Learning Outcomes

Student learning outcomes

Analyze user behavior patterns to design inclusive and accessible digital interfaces.
Apply industry-standard UX research methodologies to evaluate the effectiveness of digital platforms.
Evaluate the ethical implications of algorithmic design and data privacy within communal digital environments.
Design high-fidelity interactive prototypes that demonstrate effective information architecture.
Integrate principles of servant leadership and ethical stewardship into the project management lifecycle.
Communicate complex technical design concepts to non-technical stakeholders in support of organizational goals.

Admission Requirements

Admission and entry requirements

Prospective students must possess a high school diploma or equivalent (GED). Applicants are required to submit an official transcript demonstrating a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. Additionally, candidates must provide a personal statement outlining their interest in the intersection of digital design and community service, reflecting an understanding of the university's mission and commitment to ethical practice. Culminating Project The Capstone Project serves as the final, integrative milestone of the Associate degree, requiring students to synthesize their technical design skills with their development in ethical reasoning and servant leadership. Students are tasked with identifying a specific digital communication or interface challenge faced by a real-world nonprofit or community-focused organization. The scope of the project includes conducting comprehensive user research, developing a prototype, and producing a formal implementation plan that addresses accessibility, utility, and ethical data stewardship. The project is weighted at 4 credit hours and demands a high level of academic rigor and professional maturity. Students are expected to demonstrate how their proposed solutions reflect a commitment to the mission of their chosen organization, ensuring that the technology serves the human needs of the community rather than just the efficiency of the machine. This work serves as evidence of the student's ability to navigate the complexities of digital design with wisdom, academic integrity, and a focus on long-term stewardship of digital resources.

Program Structure

Official program structure

Program Details

Total Credits: 60
Duration: 2 years
Degree Level: Associate

Semester-by-Semester Curriculum

Official course sequence

Year 1

Semester 1

12 credits

Code	Course Title	Credits	Prerequisite
ENG101	Academic Writing and Rhetoric	3	None
View Description Focuses on developing clarity, structure, and professional tone in academic communication. Students refine their analytical writing skills through research-based essays. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
UXD100	Foundations of User Experience	3	None
View Description Introduces the core principles of human-computer interaction and user-centered design processes. Students analyze how design choices influence user accessibility and task efficiency. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
HUM110	Ethics and Digital Citizenship	3	None
View Description Examines the intersection of technology, individual responsibility, and community welfare. Students explore ethical frameworks for navigating digital spaces with integrity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
COM105	Digital Communication Strategies	3	None
View Description Analyzes effective communication strategies across various digital platforms and demographics. Students practice developing messaging that aligns with organizational goals and audience needs. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Semester 2

14 credits

Code	Course Title	Credits	Prerequisite
UXD150	User Research and Analysis	4	UXD100
View Description Teaches methodology for gathering user data through interviews, surveys, and observation. Students learn to interpret findings to improve interface usability and accessibility. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
MAT120	Data Interpretation and Statistics	3	None
View Description Covers essential statistical concepts to help students make data-informed design decisions. Emphasis is placed on the objective analysis of user metrics and behavioral feedback. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
BUS130	Principles of Organizational Stewardship	3	None
View Description Explores the management of resources, time, and human talent within mission-driven entities. Students learn how to align digital initiatives with the operational health of an organization. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
UXD200	Visual Design and Interface Prototyping	4	UXD100
View Description Introduces industry-standard prototyping tools for developing interactive wireframes and high-fidelity mockups. Focuses on the application of visual hierarchy and design systems. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Semester 3

13 credits

Code	Course Title	Credits	Prerequisite
SOC210	Sociology of Community and Technology	3	None
View Description Investigates how technology shapes interpersonal relationships and community formation. Students apply these concepts to design strategies for fostering engagement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
UXD250	Accessibility and Inclusive Design	4	UXD200
View Description Focuses on creating digital interfaces that comply with accessibility standards for users with diverse needs. Emphasizes the moral necessity of designing for all members of the community. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
MGT240	Project Management in Nonprofits	3	BUS130
View Description Discusses the lifecycle of managing digital projects under constraints common to nonprofit and mission-driven environments. Focuses on planning, scheduling, and stakeholder communication. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
THE220	Formation of Servant Leadership	3	None
View Description Examines the historical and philosophical development of servant leadership as a guiding principle for professional life. Students reflect on their own leadership style and ethical development. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Year 2

Semester 4

3 credits

Code	Course Title	Credits	Prerequisite
UXD300	Advanced Digital Strategy	3	UXD150
View Description Explores how to integrate user data and design research into broader organizational strategy. Discusses the impact of design cycles on long-term digital growth. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Major / Core Requirements

Major and core requirements

General education | 18 credit hours

Faith-Based UX Design core | 30 credit hours
Professional application courses | 9 credit hours

Electives

Elective requirements

Elective in Professional Practice

3
None
CAP400

ELECTIVE1 — Elective in Professional Practice: Allows students to explore specific industry skills such as web development basics or advanced user testing. Tailors the learning experience to individual career aspirations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

CAP400 — Capstone: UX Design for Community Impact: Requires the student to produce a comprehensive design project that integrates user research, ethical reasoning, and technical implementation. This project serves as a final demonstration of professional and spiritual readiness. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
RES280 — Research Seminar in Digital Ministry: Focuses on the critical analysis of digital tools used for organizational engagement and ministry. Students compile research on effective digital practices. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

ELECTIVE1 | Elective in Professional Practice | 3 | None

CAP400 | Capstone: UX Design for Community Impact | 4 | All prior UXD core courses
RES280 | Research Seminar in Digital Ministry | 4 | None

Final Project Requirement

Final project requirement

Capstone: UX Design for Community Impact

4
All prior UXD core courses
RES280
Research Seminar in Digital Ministry
4
None
UXD300 — Advanced Digital Strategy: Explores how to integrate user data and design research into broader organizational strategy. Discusses the impact of design cycles on long-term digital growth. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Capstone requirement | 3 credit hours

Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
ENG101 | Academic Writing and Rhetoric | 3 | None
UXD100 | Foundations of User Experience | 3 | None
HUM110 | Ethics and Digital Citizenship | 3 | None
COM105 | Digital Communication Strategies | 3 | None
Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
UXD150 | User Research and Analysis | 4 | UXD100
MAT120 | Data Interpretation and Statistics | 3 | None
BUS130 | Principles of Organizational Stewardship | 3 | None
UXD200 | Visual Design and Interface Prototyping | 4 | UXD100
Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
SOC210 | Sociology of Community and Technology | 3 | None
UXD250 | Accessibility and Inclusive Design | 4 | UXD200
MGT240 | Project Management in Nonprofits | 3 | BUS130
THE220 | Formation of Servant Leadership | 3 | None
Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
UXD300 | Advanced Digital Strategy | 3 | UXD150

Graduation Requirements

Graduation and completion requirements

To qualify for graduation, students must successfully complete 60 credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. This includes the successful completion of all core, required, and elective coursework. Students must receive a passing grade on the final Capstone Project, demonstrating both technical competence and the ability to apply ethical frameworks to real-world design dilemmas.
Beyond academic requirements, graduation from this program necessitates evidence of spiritual and professional formation. Students are expected to demonstrate alignment with the institution's commitment to integrity, service, and community engagement. This includes participation in required community service initiatives and periodic reflections on personal professional development, ensuring that graduates emerge prepared not only with technical skills but with the character and wisdom required for faith-informed service in their chosen fields.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities

Career Opportunities

Junior UX Designer
Digital Communications Coordinator for Nonprofits
Content Strategy Assistant
User Research Associate
Web Accessibility Specialist
Ministry Digital Outreach Assistant
Community Engagement Design Technician

Additional Official Information

Additional source information

Important Notices

The program educates ethical professionals who demonstrate technical excellence, servant leadership, professional integrity, and a commitment to apply sound principles to advance faith-based organizations, strengthen communities, and contribute responsibly.
HBIU is a lawfully operating nonpublic faith-based postsecondary institution that maintains its status under section 1005.06(1)(f), Florida Statutes. The University annually affirms its compliance with the requirements applicable to faith-based institutions in Florida through Commission for Independent Education.
HBIU accreditation from QAHE (for quality assurance in pre-tertiary and higher education mechanisms). QAHE offers globally recognized accreditation and quality assurance for higher education, training providers, and professional institutions worldwide. Students should consider the nature and scope of this recognition in relation to their individual certification and professional goals.
Transfer credit is evaluated individually based on course content, credit hours, grades, institutional documentation, program requirements, and applicable university policies. Although HBIU provides academically structured programs, no institution can guarantee that another college, university, employer, licensing board, or credential-evaluation service will accept its credits or credentials. Students are encouraged to obtain advance written confirmation from the intended receiving organization.
The program develops academic knowledge and applied competencies for service in faith-based organizations, nonprofit institutions, community programs, and related professional environments. Some occupations associated with the subject area may be regulated by governmental or professional authorities. A degree from HBIU demonstrates completion of the University's academic requirements but does not, by itself, confer professional licensure or legal authority to perform regulated services.
Where a program is related to an external certification, eligibility is determined exclusively by the applicable certifying organization. Certification bodies may establish additional requirements involving education, examinations, experience, background screening, continuing education, or membership. HBIU does not guarantee certification eligibility or examination approval unless a formal written agreement expressly provides otherwise.
Career and occupational information is provided to help students make informed educational decisions. Employment outcomes depend on factors such as the graduate's experience, geographic location, professional qualifications, employer requirements, economic conditions, interviewing ability, and any applicable licensure or certification requirements. Completion of a program does not constitute a promise of employment, promotion, job placement, or a particular occupational title.
This program is delivered through online instruction. Students must have access to the technology, equipment, internet service, software, and learning resources identified in the University's technology requirements.
Internship or field-experience participation is subject to academic eligibility, site availability, supervisor approval, and the requirements of the participating organization. The University assists students with the placement process but cannot guarantee placement with a particular organization, supervisor, location, or schedule.
Students are responsible for reviewing the catalog, understanding program requirements, providing accurate information, meeting academic and financial obligations, and verifying whether the program supports their intended educational or professional goals.
Completion of a University program does not authorize a graduate to use a professional title that is protected or restricted by law. Graduates must use titles that accurately reflect their education, credentials, employment role, and current licensure or certification status.
Degree abbreviation | A.A. in Faith-Based UX Design
Total program length | 60 semester credit hours
Normal completion time | Two academic years