Human-Computer Interaction Ph.D. Minor

The Human-Computer Interaction Ph.D. minor teaches students to apply HCI principles to challenges involving technology and human behavior. Students gain expertise in UX research and IoT, preparing for careers where technology and design meet. The fully online program offers convenience and can be finished in just two semesters.

What you'll learn

This 12-credit program covers interaction design, psychology, and research methods. Students complete required courses and choose a specialization like visualization or prototyping. Most courses are available online, so the minor can be finished fully online in about a year and a half. The program also offers flexibility to customize coursework with advisor approval.

The Ph.D. minor in HCI is a 12-credit hour program comprised of four (4) courses, each of which is 3 credit hours.

Required courses (9 cr.)

• • • INFO-H 541 Interaction Design Practice (3 cr.)
    • INFO-H 543 Interaction Design Methods (3 cr.)
    • INFO-H 563 Psychology of Human-Computer Interaction (3 cr.)

Specialization course

Select one from the following:

• • DSCI-D 517 Visualization Design, Analysis, and Evaluation (3 cr., was INFO-H 517)
  • INFO-H 561 Meaning and Form in HCI (3 cr.)
  • INFO-H 564 Prototyping for Interactive Systems (3 cr.)
  • INFO-H 565 Collaborative and Social Computing (3 cr.)
  • INFO-H 566 Experience Design for Ubiquitous Computing (3 cr.)
  • INFO-H 624 Advanced Seminar I in HCI (3 cr.)
  • INFO-H 634 Advanced Seminar II in HCI (3 cr.)

Currently, most of the courses are offered online and in the classroom; therefore, at the student’s discretion, the Ph.D. minor coursework may be completed entirely online in a minimum of one and a half years.

As the HCI program evolves and more courses become available, alternative HCI course sequences or substitute courses may be allowed to better fit the research interests of the Ph.D. student, in so far as they are approved by and in consultation with the HCC Department Chair or Program Director.

Grading policy

A minimum grade of B (3.0) is required in each course that is to count toward the minor. If a minimum grade of B (3.0) is not earned in a course, that course must be retaken. A course may only be retaken once. Students who fail to achieve the minimum grade of B (3.0) the second time they take a course will not be able to earn the Ph.D. minor.

Qualifying exam

The Ph.D. minor in HCI does not require a qualifying exam.

To be admitted to the Ph.D. minor in HCI program, you must be a currently enrolled doctoral student in good academic standing in any IU school. Students in other departments of Luddy Indianapolis also are welcome to apply.

Application deadline

• Fall Admission: August 1
• Spring Admission: December 1

Application procedure

If you would like to apply to the Ph.D. minor in HCI program, please submit an application package (PDF) via email to LuddyGRD@iu.edu. It must contain:

• Your resume, including the the IU Ph.D. program in which you are currently enrolled
• Your university student ID
• A personal statement (1 page)
• A brief message from your primary advisor who approves your request

Accepted students will be notified promptly.