MS in Human-Computer Interaction
Master of Science
Human-Computer Interaction
The
Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction prepares students to design, implement, and evaluate computer interfaces so that they are accessible and easy for people to use. This interdisciplinary degree integrates concepts and methods from computer science, graphic design and the social sciences to provide a comprehensive understanding of the user-centered design process.
Students in this program will acquire a broad range of skills including:
- Carry out the full user-centered design process
- Conduct usability tests
- Research users and their tasks
- Create the information architecture for a web site or complex application
- Develop working prototypes of dynamic web sites
Learn more about admission to this program.
Online Learning Options
This degree can be completed entirely online. CDM online degrees are delivered mostly through
COL-enabled courses, although other delivery technologies are also used. If a course is COL-enabled, any student registered in the course has access to the course playback. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize the COL resource wherever available. To complete this degree a student may take any combination of online and on campus courses. For more information on online learning at CDM visit the
Online Learning page.
Course Requirements
Prerequisite Phase
The goal of the prerequisite phase is to give students the background necessary for starting the graduate program. These prerequisite phase requirements can be fulfilled in one of three ways:
- The student takes the course and earns a grade of B- or higher
- The student takes a Graduate Assessment Exam (GAE) to test out of the course
- The faculty advisor waives the course because of equivalent academic background or work experience.
All students are blocked from enrolling in Graduate Phase courses prior to completing their prerequisites. Students must submit an online Change of Status request (through myCDM) when the Prerequisite Phase is completed to inform the Student Services offices that the block can be removed.
| IT 130 |
| IT 223 |
| IM 230 |
| OR IM 336 |
| IM 270 |
| HCI 402 * |
* HCI 402 is not currently offered online. Consult your advisor for determining suitable alternative coursework.
Foundation Phase
Students in the Foundation Phase may register for a maximum of four Advanced Phase courses.
Advanced Phase
| HCI 430 |
| HCI 445 |
| HCI 460 |
| HCI 454 |
Major electives
Students must complete
4 elective courses from the lists below:
- HCI Electives
| HCI 422 |
| HCI 432 |
| HCI 511 |
| HCI 521 |
| HCI 530 |
| HCI 590 |
- non-HCI Electives open to all HCI students
| CSC 423 |
| CSC 424 |
| CSC 428 |
| CSC 449 |
| CSC 451 |
| CSC 587 |
| ECT 433 |
| ECT 455 |
| ECT 480 |
| ECT 586 |
| IS 456 |
| IS 511 |
| IS 570 |
| ITS 427 |
| ITS 431 |
| ITS 560 |
| IT 432 |
| PM 430 |
| PM 440 |
| PSY 402 |
| PSY 404 |
| PSY 473 |
| PSY 557 |
| PSY 680 |
| SE 477 |
| SE 482 |
- Non-HCI electives requiring programming experience
Open electives
Student must complete
1 advisor-approved CDM elective. Elective courses are in the range of 420-699 and must be from the College of CDM.
Capstone
* HCI 594 is not currently offered online. Students should consult their advisor to determine suitable alternative course work.
Degree Requirements
Students in this degree program must meet the following requirements:
- complete a minimum of 52 credit hours (generally 13 courses) beyond the Prerequisite Phase
- earn a grade of B- or better in each Prerequisite Phase course
- earn a grade of C- or better in all graduate courses beyond the Prerequisite Phase
- maintain a graduate level GPA of 2.50 or higher while pursuing their degree
- achieve a graduate GPA of 2.50 or higher at the completion of all other requirements
Students with a GPA of 3.9 or higher will graduate with distinction.
For DePaul's policy on repeat graduate courses and a complete list of academic policies see the DePaul Graduate Handbook in the Course Catalog.