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Google UX Design Professional Certificate Program Guide
Validates practical skills in UX research, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing and creating high-fidelity designs in Figma.
Work through 7 courses in order, following the design process from research and problem definition to wireframes, testing and high-fidelity Figma prototypes. Along the way you build three portfolio projects. There is no final exam.
Understand the program
Courses
Rows are courses with Coursera's hour estimates, plus one optional AI course.
Course 1Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design
- Introducing user experience design
- Thinking like a UX designer
- Joining design sprints
- Introduction to the portfolio project
Course 2Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, and Ideate
- Empathizing with users and defining pain points
- Creating user stories and user journey maps
- Defining user problems
- Ideating design solutions
Example scenario: Users of a bike-share app say renting takes too long. Write a problem statement before you sketch any screens.
Course 3Build Wireframes and Low-Fidelity Prototypes
- Storyboarding and wireframing
- Creating paper and digital wireframes
- Building low-fidelity prototypes
Course 4Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts
- Planning UX research studies
- Conducting research with usability studies
- Analyzing and synthesizing research results
- Sharing research insights for better designs
Example scenario: Three of five test participants miss the checkout button. What would you change, and how would you test it again?
Course 5Create High-Fidelity Designs and Prototypes in Figma
- Starting to create mockups
- Applying visual design principles to mockups
- Exploring design systems
- Creating high-fidelity prototypes
- Testing and iterating on designs
Course 6Build Dynamic User Interfaces (UI) for Websites
- Plan a responsive website
- Create and test prototypes
- Participating in design critique sessions
- Document design work and search for jobs
Course 7Design a User Experience for Social Good & Prepare for Jobs
- Design for social good and strengthen your portfolio
- Build a professional presence
- Finding a UX job
Course 8Accelerate Your Job Search with AI
- Career exploration: Using AI tools to match your skills to roles.
- Applications: Building a resume and tracking applications with Gemini and Google Sheets.
Format
- Courses
- 7 + 1 optional
- Duration
- 106h
- Assessment
- Quizzes, 3 projects
- Delivery
- Online, self-paced
- Languages
- English
Enrolment
Anyone can enroll on Coursera, which offers a 7-day free trial and financial aid. Google Career Skills offers the same certificates for $49 a month.
Make a study plan
Coursera's course estimates add up to 112 hours, and Coursera suggests 6 months at 10 hours a week. Portfolio projects often take longer than the videos.
Most candidates spend 90–170 hours. Plan for the low end if you already work in design or research; allow more time if you are new to UX and want polished portfolio projects.
- 1Understand the programLook through the courses and how the program is graded.6 h
- 3Learn the core conceptsWork through the courses in order and complete the graded work.100 h
- 4Finish the programFinish the remaining assessments and claim your certificate.6 h
Learn the core concepts
The program is the course. Get feedback from working designers on your portfolio projects.
Best official programGoogle UX Design Professional Certificate
Best for Google certificatesGoogle Career Certificates subscriptionBest for Coursera catalogCoursera PlusMake the projects your own. Choose a problem from your own life or work instead of the default prompts. Recruiters have seen many case studies built straight from the course.
Finish the program
Complete the coursework on your own schedule.
- Finish all 7 required courses and the three portfolio projects. The AI course is optional.
- Retry any quiz you have not passed, and complete your peer reviews.
- Download your certificate and claim the Credly badge, which carries the ACE recommendation of up to 10 college credits.
- Publish your case studies on a portfolio site before you apply for jobs.
- Cancel your subscription and the free Google AI Pro offer if you do not want to keep paying. Google AI Pro renews at $19.99 a month.
Advice from learners
Go beyond the course prompts.
A 2024 graduate advised going above what the projects ask, for example by using a design system, and finding a UX niche to build projects around.
Add a UI course for visual skills.
One learner who finished the program said it is entirely about the UX process and recommended a separate UI course to improve visual design.