MSc in
Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Introduction
Explore the design methods, evaluation, and implementation of interactive computing systems for human use. Building on decades of research in psychology and human behavior, the human-computer interaction master’s degree focuses on the skills needed by user-experience researchers and computing professionals, including observing how people interact with websites and software and the design of new technologies to help them accomplish their goals. With computing moving rapidly away from the traditional desktop, companies need professionals that understand how evolving technologies can be designed to be intuitive, effective, and compelling for users.
Human-computer interaction addresses the design, evaluation, and implementation of interactive computing and computing-based systems for the benefit of human use. HCI research is driven by technological advances and the increasing pervasiveness of computing devices in our society. With an emphasis on making computing technologies more user-friendly, HCI has emerged as a dynamic, multifaceted area of study that merges theory from science, engineering, and design—as well as concepts and methodologies from psychology, anthropology, sociology, and industrial design—with the technical concerns of computing.
The MS degree in human-computer interaction provides the knowledge and skills necessary for conceptualizing, designing, implementing, and evaluating software applications and computing technologies for the benefit of the user, whether the user is an individual, a group, an organization, or a society. Human, technological, and organizational concerns are interwoven throughout the curriculum and addressed in team-and project-based learning experiences.
The program is comprised of four required core courses, up to three program electives (depending upon capstone option chosen), two application domain courses, and a capstone project or thesis.
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
RIT awards more than $37 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 5% of tuition all the way up to full tuition. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
RIT awards more than $30 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 10% - 40% of tuition. Our median scholarship amount is around 30% of tuition or $13,000. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
Optional Co-Op: cooperative education is paid work assignments with corporations and organizations around the U.S. and abroad. Co-op allows students to spend one or more semesters employed in a full-time, paid position related to their academic program before they graduate. Many students use co-op earnings to help finance their education.
Work-Study: graduate students studying full-time may apply to work part-time on campus. RIT has more than 9,000 jobs available each year, and students typically work 10 – 20 hours per week. International students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa may work up to 20 hours per week on campus and 40 hours during break periods.
Curriculum
Core courses
The core courses provide knowledge and skills in the conceptual and methodological frameworks of HCI and HCI research. Emphasis is on understanding human cognition as it applies to information systems plus interaction design, interface prototyping, and usability evaluation.
Electives
Students choose up to three electives, depending on which capstone option they choose to complete.
Program electives
Students select two elective courses. In select cases, students can petition for approval to include a course complementary to the degree program as a program elective.
Application domain courses
To gain breadth in a technical area to which HCI concepts can be applied, students complete two courses in any of the application domain areas. A special topic option is also available, with faculty approval, for individuals with interest in other HCI-related areas.
Self-defined Application Domain
Design your own concentration.
Web Development
Study the foundations of web technologies, enabling students to better understand how The Internet can be built to improve the experience of a diverse range of end-users.
Geographical Information Science and Technology
Research how digital technology is revolutionizing how humans view earth with topics in thematic cartography and geographic visualization.
e-Learning Technologies
The recent boom in online learning has created a need for professionals to design such systems. Students learn the fundamentals of instructional technology and interactive courseware.
Smart Device Application Design & Development
Smart devices are no longer limited to phones. Design and study human interaction with cutting-edge mobile technology.
Thesis/Capstone project
Students may complete a thesis or capstone project. This experience is meant to be an empirical study of an HCI problem, which can be the development of a software product through user-centered design processes. The results are either published in a peer-reviewed journal or publicly disseminated in an appropriate professional venue.
Curriculum
Human-Computer Interaction (capstone project option), MS degree, typical course sequence
First Year
- HCIN-600 Research Methods
- HCIN-610 Foundations of Human-Computer Interaction
- HCIN-620 Information and Interaction Design
- HCIN-630 Usability Testing
- HCIN-794 MS Human-Computer Interaction Capstone Proposal
- Application Domain Courses
- Program Elective
Second Year
- HCIN-795 MS HCI Project
- Program Elective
Human-Computer Interaction (thesis option), MS degree, typical course sequence
First Year
- HCIN-600 Research Methods
- HCIN-610 Foundations of Human-Computer Interaction
- HCIN-620 Information and Interaction Design
- HCIN-630 Usability Testing
- Application Domain Courses
- Program Electives
Second Year
- HCIN-796 MS HCI Thesis
Application domain courses
- eLearning technologies
- Geographic information science and technology
- Smart device application design and development
- Web development
Career Opportunities
Industries
- Internet and Software
- Design
- Research
- Scientific and Technical Consulting
Typical Job Titles
- Usability Analyst
- User Experience Designer
- Human Factors Engineer
- Usability Specialist
- Web Designer
- Interaction Designer
- Information Architect
English Language Requirements
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