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IU Indianapolis Bulletin » Schools » Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering » Graduate » Degree Programs » Master of Science » Human-Computer Interaction
Human-Computer Interaction (degree can be completed on campus or online)

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.
 

Degree requirements for the in-person/hybrid program

Print-friendly Plans of Study

Required Core

  • INFO-H 541 Interaction Design Practice
  • INFO-H 543 Interaction Design Methods
  • INFO-H 561 Meaning and Form in HCI
  • INFO-H 563 Psychology of HCI
  • INFO-H 564 Prototyping Interactive Systems

Required Selectives

Choose 3 from this list.
  • INFO-H 517 Visualization Design, Analysis, and Evaluation
  • INFO-H 565 Collaborative and Social Computing
  • INFO-H 566 Experience Design for Ubiquitous Computing
  • INFO-H 567 IoT Interface Design for Business Innovation
  • INFO-H 570 Tangible/Embedded
  • INFO-H 581 Experience Design and Evaluation of Access Technologies
  • INFO-H 582 UX Design Ethics
  • INFO-H 583 Conversational UI
Area of Emphasis in Digital MakingMS HCI students can pursue an area of emphasis in digital making by completing 9-12 credit hours of Media Arts and Science graduate-level sections that count towards 6 elective credits and 3-6 credits of selective courses in the HCI MS programs. The area of emphasis in digital making allows students to complement their HCI preparation with application development skills to produce interactive media experiences and environments, and explore their connections with local businesses as well as the national industry.  This area of emphasis is particularly well-suited to HCI MS students with a solid programming background. The Media Arts and Science graduate-level sections available for this area of emphasis include:
  • NEWM-N 501 Foundations of Digital Production
  • NEWM-N 505 Advanced Issues in Emerging Media Environments
  • NEWM-N 585 Experiential Innovation I – Advanced Visualization
  • NEWM-N 585 Real-world Emerging Wearable Technology Applications for Enterprise Business
  • NEWM-N 585 Motion Graphics

Open Electives

Recommended electives include:
  • INFO-I 595 Professional Internship
  • Any 500-level course on campus that complements your HCI background
  • Any additional course from the selective list after the first three.
Students must check for prerequisites and course availability from the respective schools and departments.

Final Project

Capstone OptionAll HCI students must complete a final MS capstone project by registering for two courses: H680 HCI Professional Practice 1 and H681 HCI Professional Practice 2, taken in two consecutive semesters. Each course includes a formally scheduled in-class time that students must attend. Students will work on one comprehensive, final MS HCI project that extends throughout the two courses, i.e., in both fall and spring semesters. Students will receive an official grade at the conclusion of each course/semester. Incompletes are not permitted.Thesis OptionThe MS Thesis option is reserved for students who possess a demonstrated ability to carry out publishable empirical research. Qualified students must find a research-active faculty member willing to advise them on a thesis by the end of the second semester.Students taking the Thesis option must take and successfully pass I575 Informatics Research Design or an equivalent research methods course decided in concert with the thesis advisor by the completion of their first year. It is the student’s responsibility to propose a thesis that can be completed within a two-semester timeline. To do this, students MUST provide their primary thesis advisor with a full thesis proposal and outline that includes a timeline for the writing of the thesis.

The M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction is a 36-credit-hour program that integrates computing, usability, interface design, the social sciences and other disciplines in the design and development of user-friendly technologies, software and information systems.
As a graduate, you’ll be well prepared for a career in private industry or academia, or for admission to the Ph.D. in Informatics program with a human-computer interaction specialization.
The program may be completed in two years by a full-time student. Part-time study options are available for domestic students. However, international students and any students funded directly by the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering (in the form of an assistantship or fellowship) must complete the program in two years.
A thesis or applied research project is required to complete your degree.
Plan of Study

Core (24 cr.)
  • INFO H501 Introduction to Informatics (3 cr.)
  • INFO H541 Interaction Design Practice (3 cr.)
  • INFO H543 Interaction Design Methods (3 cr.)
  • INFO H561 Meaning and Form in HCI (3 cr.)
  • INFO H563 Psychology of HCI (3 cr.)
  • INFO H564 Prototyping for Interactive Systems (3 cr.)
  • INFO H590 Ubiquitous Computing (3 cr.)
  • INFO H590 Social Computing (3 cr.)
Final Project or Thesis (6 cr.)
Final Project Option
All HCI students must complete a final project by registering for two courses: H680 HCI Professional Practice 1 (offered ONLY in the Fall) and H681HCI Professional Practice 2 (offered ONLY in the Spring). Each course includes a formally scheduled in-class time that students must attend. Students will work on one final project that extends throughout the two courses, i.e., in both fall and spring semesters. Students will receive an official grade at the conclusion of each course/semester. Students are encouraged to propose a project that can be realistically completed by the conclusion of H681, the Spring semester. Incompletes are NOT permitted.
Required Courses
  • INFO H680 HCI Professional Practice 1 (3 cr.) – Required for Final Project
    Note: Pre-requisites: INFO H541, H561, H543, H563, and H564 
  • INFO H681 HCI Professional Practice 2 (3 cr.) – Required for Final Project
    Note: Pre-requisites: INFO H680
Thesis Option
The Thesis option is reserved for students who possess a demonstrated ability to carry out publishable empirical research. Qualified students must find a research-active faculty member willing to advise them on a thesis by the end of the second semester.
Students taking the Thesis option must take and successfully pass I575 Informatics Research Design by the completion of their first year. They should also take an additional statistics course prior to their final regular semester. As with the final project, an incomplete will NOT be permitted. It is the student’s responsibility to propose a thesis that can be completed within a two-semester timeline. To do this, students MUST provide their primary thesis advisor with a full thesis proposal and outline that includes a timeline for the writing of the thesis.
Required Course
  • INFO H694 HCI Thesis (6 cr.)
Electives (6 cr.)
his plan of study applies only to students enrolled in the 100% fully online HCI MS program.Semester offering may vary – check the campus registrar for most updated schedule of courses.Online courses are typically offered in 100% asynchronous mode (noted as WWW on the Registration page), with weekly paced activities, but no synchronous online meetings. At times, online courses may be scheduled in “Hybrid-Distance” mode, which means fully online but with required weekly online meetings at a schedule time. Check mode details when registering for courses.Recommended course load for online students: If you are a full-time graduate student, we recommend you to take no more than three graduate courses per semester. If you’re already working full-time, we recommend you to take one or two courses per semester. On average, a graduate course of 3 credits requires approximately 9-12 hours of workload per week, including class attendance.

General Core (15 credits)

  • INFO-H 541 Interaction Design Practice
  • INFO-H 543 Interaction Design Methods
  • INFO-H 561 Meaning and Form in HCI
  • INFO-H 563 Psychology of HCI
  • INFO-H 564 Prototyping for Interactive Systems

Specialized Selectives (15-21 credits)

  • INFO-I 501 Introduction to Informatics
  • NEWM-N 510 Web Database Concepts
  • INFO-H 517 Visualization Design and Analysis
  • INFO-H 565 Collaborative and Social Computing
  • INFO-H 566 Experience Design for Ubiquitous Computing
  • INFO-H 570 Tangible and Embodied Interaction
  • INFO-I 575 Informatics Research Design
  • INFO-H 581 Experience Design and Evaluation of Access Technologies
  • INFO-H 582 UX Design Ethics
  • INFO-H 583 Conversational User Interfaces
  • INFO-I 590 Programming for Interaction Designers
  • INFO-I 595 Professional Internship
Additional selectives may become available.

Open Electives (0-6 credits)

Any relevant online course (500 or higher).
  • HERR Visual Design for User Interfaces
  • INFO-B 505 Informatics Project Management
  • INFO-H 554 Independent Study in HCI
Additional electives may become available.
Last Updated:  3/2024