back to impact
simplifying the path from degree search to enrollment
designing a mobile experience that helped adult learners compare programs, make informed choices, and move through enrollment with greater confidence.
15,000+
online degree programs available to explore and compare
industry
education
type
student counseling and enrollment platform
mandate
mobile product experience design
the platform
a us education technology company had spent decades helping adult learners research accredited online degree programs and make more informed education choices.
as student expectations shifted towards mobile, the company saw an opportunity to extend that support beyond research. the new experience needed to help prospective students move from comparing programs to applying, enrolling, and preparing for their first day.
clarient helped turn that ambition into a mobile enrollment platform built around the decisions students make along the way.
the enrollment brief
clarient was brought in to design the experience from the ground up across ios and android.
the engagement began with research into student needs, communication preferences, and enrollment barriers. From there, we shaped the information architecture, interaction model, visual system, and prototypes around the full journey from program discovery through post-acceptance onboarding.
our contributions
User Research and IdeationUX and UI DesignInformation ArchitectureInteraction DesignInteractive PrototypingUser TestingMobile Application DesignEnrollment Journey Design
the decision friction
choosing a degree is rarely one decision.
adult learners may need to weigh career goals, previous education, learning preferences, cost, admission requirements, and long-term outcomes before deciding where to apply. once that decision is made, the enrollment process introduces another set of steps, deadlines, and questions.
the product needed to bring those decisions into one experience without making students feel as though they were working through another administrative system.
the design response
we mapped the complete path from initial research through enrollment and post-acceptance onboarding.
that helped us identify where students needed more information, where the process could become simpler, and where timely guidance could prevent them from losing momentum.
make program choice easier
the experience helped students research and compare programs around their own goals and circumstances.
clearer navigation and structured information reduced the effort involved in moving between options and understanding what each program required.
keep students moving through enrollment
the application brought key enrollment steps into one guided journey.
students could understand what had been completed, what still needed attention, and what came next without piecing the process together across different channels.
put guidance where questions appear
ai and behavioral insights were used to support students throughout the journey.
relevant information could be delivered at the point it was needed, helping users work through admissions requirements, financial considerations, program selection, and post-acceptance steps with greater confidence.
make program choice easier
the experience helped students research and compare programs around their own goals and circumstances.
clearer navigation and structured information reduced the effort involved in moving between options and understanding what each program required.
keep students moving through enrollment
the application brought key enrollment steps into one guided journey.
students could understand what had been completed, what still needed attention, and what came next without piecing the process together across different channels.
put guidance where questions appear
ai and behavioral insights were used to support students throughout the journey.
relevant information could be delivered at the point it was needed, helping users work through admissions requirements, financial considerations, program selection, and post-acceptance steps with greater confidence.
the impact
clarient helped turn a fragmented enrollment process into a mobile experience designed around how adult learners actually make education decisions.
students could research degree programs, compare options, and move into enrollment without leaving the experience. the product connected discovery, admissions requirements, communication, and onboarding so that each stage felt like part of one journey rather than a separate task.
the mobile interface was deliberately kept light and easy to move through. clear navigation and focused screens reduced the amount of information competing for attention at any one time.
the platform also worked with the client’s existing technology infrastructure, allowing the mobile experience to support established recruitment and enrollment processes rather than creating another disconnected system.
the platform also worked with the client’s existing technology infrastructure, allowing the mobile experience to support established recruitment and enrollment processes rather than creating another disconnected system.
ai-supported guidance added another layer of help. students could receive timely information based on where they were in the journey, from choosing a program through application and post-acceptance preparation.
round-the-clock mobile access also gave prospective students more freedom to continue the process around work, family, and other commitments.
for the client, the result was a more connected way to support student recruitment, enrollment, and retention. for learners, it meant a clearer route through one of the more consequential decisions they make about their future.
the larger value was not simply putting enrollment on a phone. it was bringing research, decision-making, guidance, and onboarding into one experience that could keep students moving forward.