Prepare to be immersed in a project-based, hands-on user experience environment. By earning a master’s in HCI, you’ll explore emerging field research, learning how to create effective interactive systems for companies in Indiana and worldwide.
Students in our professional, research-focused program collaborate with industry leaders on real-world projects. They gain valuable insight from faculty in human-centered design, social computing research, and the Internet of Things.
Through your classes and Capstone project, you’ll develop the UX design and research skills essential for a professional career in the field.
Pushing the limits of interaction design
At a glance
Format
- On-campus/hybrid
- Online
Start dates
- Fall
- Spring
Ready to get started?
Program details
- A bachelor's degree and a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is optional for master's applicants.
Successful applicants should have knowledge and skills in one or more of the following areas:
Programming
Proficiency in:
- One or more programming languages (e.g., C, C++, Java, Javascript, or Python)
- Programming methodologies, such as system design and architectures or problem and algorithm analysis
- Other computing knowledge, such as artificial intelligence and database administration
Design
Proficiency with:
- Principles and processes of visual communication, industrial design, digital media
- Knowledge and application of 3D animation or modeling tools
- Design methodologies for 2D and 3D product development
- Conceptual modeling, prototyping, and product delivery
- Fundamental concepts of visual communication (e.g., page design/layout)
- Design principles, typography, and color theory
- Application of digital authoring tools for Web or interface design
Social Sciences
Coursework in:
- Psychology (general, cognitive, and behavioral)
- Sociology and anthropology (ethnography)
- Cross-cultural psychology and communication, information management, or information and library science
- Business, product strategy, management, marketing, and related areas
Upon completion of the M.S. in HCI program, students will:
- Evaluate and create interfaces by applying HCI theories, terms, principles, and methods including user experience, user-centered, and interaction design theories and practices; interactive product design and development processes and lifecycle; user profiling to interaction design (needs and requirements); system requirements and product assessments; prototype design theory and practice; and product usability evaluations and testing methods.
- Apply psychological and cognitive principles and theories to human factors and user experience design.
- Research and develop interactive collaborative systems by applying social computing theories and frameworks.
- Design novel ubiquitous computing systems by researching and applying relevant HCI and informatics theories and frameworks.
- Design effective, usable, and human-centered interactive systems using prototypes and proof of concepts.
- Critique interaction designs on their usability, human-centeredness, and satisfaction of requirements; evaluate the fitness of requirements, goals, and research methods; make recommendations; and create and defend alternative designs.
- Effectively communicate in digital, oral, and written form the processes, ideas, outcomes, and implications of HCI projects.
- Articulate decisions and reasoning behind decisions made related to interaction design choices, design and research methods.
- Exhibit sound judgment, ethical behavior, and professionalism in applying HCI concepts and value-sensitive design to serve stakeholders and society, especially in ethically challenging situations.
- Collaborate in teams fairly, effectively, and creatively, applying group decision-making and negotiation skills.
Career outcomes
85%Employed / Continuing Education
$92,500Median starting salary
Job titles
- Business application analyst
- Product marketing manager
- Software engineer II
- Sr. UX strategist
- UI/UX designer
Hiring companies
- Amazon
- Apple
- Dow
- Harman
- Interactive Intelligence
- Lilly
- Kronos
- Meta
- Microsoft
- Pixar
- Roche
HCI student deepens design thinking skills as Google intern
Sangeetha chose Luddy because of the diverse and cutting-edge courses offered and the school’s commitment to practical experience through internships and industry collaborations.
Read more about Sangeetha's internshipHCI student team “Green Basket” wins Agrinovus HungerTech Challenge
The winning team GreenBasket developed CropSpots, a click-and-collect model that delivers farmer’s market goods to areas of frequent community engagement instead of homes.
Learn more about the HungerTech ChallengeMeet our faculty
Professor, Human-Centered Computing
Associate Professor, Human-Computer Interaction
Associate Professor, Human-Computer Interaction
Associate Professor, Human-Computer Interaction
Lecturer, Human-Computer Interaction
Associate Professor, Human-Computer Interaction, Artificial Intelligence
Associate Professor, Human-Computer Interaction
Associate Professor, Human-Computer Interaction
Associate Professor, Data Science, Human-Computer Interaction
Lecturer, Human-Computer Interaction