Experience Architecture – Michigan State University

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Experience Architecture (XA) is a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary major in the College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University. Students studying XA are forward-thinkers and are interested in gaining advanced skills in architecting or designing experiences for people in digital and physical environments. Our program gives students exposure to aspects of maneuvering and creating web sites or apps such as designing, coding, writing and digital rhetoric. Due to this well-rounded nature of the major, XA students are prepared for a number of careers or graduate programs.

Erin Campbell,
2019 XA Student of the Year

Ashton Keys,
2018 XA Student of the Year

featured News

A woman with short dark hair and glasses smiles outdoors. She is wearing a dark blazer, a black top, drop earrings, and a silver necklace. The background is filled with greenery and trees.

Kathleen Fitzpatrick Named New Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies

Kathleen Fitzpatrick has been appointed Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies for Michigan State University’s College of Arts & Letters, effective Aug. 15, 2025, following a year serving in the interim role. A nationally recognized scholar of digital humanities, Fitzpatrick is uniquely positioned to guide the college’s research and graduate programs, having spent her career creating open-source tools for academic collaboration while building resilient, sustainable scholarly communities. “Dr. Fitzpatrick brings a wealth of experience

May 27, 2025

A man with short gray and dark hair and a beard is pictured outdoors in front of a background of green and yellow foliage. He is wearing a dark suit over a light blue collared shirt and looks directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

Thomas Stubblefield Recommended as Dean of MSU’s College of Arts & Letters

Thomas Stubblefield has been recommended to serve as the next Dean of the College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University, effective July 1, 2025. Pending approval by the MSU Board of Trustees, he will succeed Yen-Hwei Lin, who assumed the role of Interim Dean in June 2024 following the departure of former Dean Christopher P. Long.

May 22, 2025

Inaugural Bill Hart-Davidson XA Leadership Award Presented Along With Other Top Experience Architecture Awards

A newly created award presented for the first time this year by the Experience Architecture (XA) program at Michigan State University honors the memory of Bill Hart-Davidson, former Professor in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Cultures (WRAC) and Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies in the College of Arts & Letters, who passed away in April 2024. A renowned scholar, teacher, and administrator, Hart-Davidson was a member of the College of Arts &

May 14, 2025

iOS Design Lab Is One-of-a-Kind with Support from Apple

A one-of-a-kind collaboration with Apple Inc. is providing valuable experience to some Michigan State University students who are designing and developing apps as part of MSU’s iOS Design Lab.

Student Shines as Gymnast & Young Professional

Between interning and travelling abroad, classes, and being a Big Ten student athlete, senior Experience Architecture major Anna Gamelo has plenty to show for her time at MSU.
Gamelo, who has consistently been on the Dean’s List the last four years …

Design & the Parameters of Possibility

The latest episode of the Liberal Arts Endeavor Podcast, titled Design and the Parameters of Possibility, is out. Dean Christopher P. Long spoke with Zachary Kaiser, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Experience Architecture, about how design has the potential to shape the world that we live, work, teach, and even eat in.

Students Learn About Accessibility in Silicon Valley

A study away program took 14 Michigan State University students, 13 of whom were from the College of Arts & Letters, to Silicon Valley where they visited large tech companies, networked with alumni, and tested accessibility in both digital and physical spaces.