| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington | Washington |
| 2 | University of Michigan | Michigan |
| 3 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Georgia |
| 4 | University of Maryland | Maryland |
| 5 | San Jose State University | California |
| 6 | Arizona State University | Arizona |
| 7 | Purdue University | Indiana |
| 8 | University of California, Irvine | California |
| 9 | University of California, Davis | California |
| 10 | Michigan State University | Michigan |
Our 2024 rankings of the Top 10 public graduate UX/UI/HCI school programs in the US. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
University of Washington (UW) has several graduate programs for students who are interested in UX/UI/HCI. Most options are based in UW’s College of Engineering. Serving approximately 5,615 undergraduate students, the College houses the Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) Department, which has MS and PhD options.
Students with a bachelor’s degree and two years of work experience can also earn a User-Centered Design (UCD) certificate. This evening graduate program consists of four courses including three required courses (User-Centered Design, Usability Studies, and UX Speaker Series) and one elective. Sample electives include User-Centered Web Design; Interaction Design & Prototyping; and Information Visualization.
The College of Engineering at University of Washington also houses the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering which, in partnership with HCDE, the Information School, the Division of Design in the School of Art + Art History + Design, and faculty from other UW departments, comprises an award-winning research group known as Design: Use: Build (DUB).
This cross-disciplinary collective serves 33 students (from more than a dozen academic backgrounds), enrolled in a Master of Human-Computer Interaction and Design (MHCI + D). The project-based curriculum for the program consists of a core and electives. Examples of core courses include Design of Interactive Systems; Ideation Studio; Usability/User Research; and Interdisciplinary HCI+D Seminar (DUB Seminar). Elective examples include Interactive Information Visualization; Advanced Introduction to HCI; Usability Studies; Input and Interaction; Designing Information Experiences; and Advanced Projects in IxD.
Students may also take the Portfolio and Professional Practices course which focuses on creating a portfolio, both online and for a portfolio presentation. The course also addresses other professional practices, such as job searches.
After 11 intense months of study, the MHCI + D program at University of Washington culminates with a Capstone project. This three-course, 14 credit hour culminating experience includes the Capstone Planning Seminar; Research Studio; and Capstone Studio. In teams, students will choose a focus area such as health, assistive technology, travel, the environment, education, or retail. Student teams will navigate the iterative design, prototyping, and evaluation process, resulting in an exhaustive project solution and presentation.
The HCDE PhD at University of Washington is a 90 credit hour program designed for students seeking careers as researchers and scholars. During the first two years students will select a dissertation advisor, begin their research in a concentration area and complete academic coursework. Examples of concentration areas include Human-Centered Data Science; Inclusive Design; Socia Computing; and Science & Technology Studies. The remainder of the program consists of extensive research and the completion of the dissertation.
The HCDE MS at University of Washington is an interdisciplinary program that attracts students who are interested in designing, researching, and engineering interactive technology. 50 credits are required to graduate. This includes 26 credits of HCDE electives and elective courses in specialized content areas, and 24 credits of required courses such as Usability Studies; User-Centered Design; and Experimental Methods.
Specialized content areas include Design, Strategy, and Engineering. Course examples across areas include Designing a Human Centered Venture; Information Visualization; International User Experiences and Communication; Physical Computing and Prototyping; User-Centered Web Design; and Design and Management of Complex Systems. Elective examples include Empirical Traditions; UX Speaker Series; Web Design Studio; Programming Concepts; DUB Seminar; Computational Concepts in HCDE; and the Internship.
The HCDE MS program at UW culminates with a Capstone project. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in HCDE education, government, industry, and non-profits.
Across programs, examples of companies and organizations that have hired UW HCDE alumni include Boeing, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Google, Disney, Alaska Airlines, Intel, Expedia Group, IBM Designs, Intuit, Lyft, GoDaddy, Razorfish, T-Mobile, NBC Universal, Accenture, GE Digital, Capital One, Verizon, Publicis Sapient, Getty Images, Getty Images, Adobe, Nike, Starbuck’s, , Raytheon Technologies, Cisco, Uber, and Bungie, Inc.
Established in 1861, University of Washington serves approximately 60,095 students across campuses in Seattle (main), Bothell, and Tacoma, Washington. Collectively, these campuses provide more than 470 programs and 845 degrees housed across 18 colleges and schools. University of Washington is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). UW Engineering is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
The School of Information at University of Michigan (U-M) houses one of the American Library Association’s longest continually accredited programs. It first received accreditation in 1926-27 and most recently in 2017. Leading to a Master of Science in Information (MSI), the program has as status of Continued accreditation. Serving approximately 1,800 students and known as UMSI, the School of Information provides five degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels.
Serving 590 students, the MSI is the school’s largest program. Highlights for this professional, interdisciplinary degree include courses taught by top professionals in their respective fields;
experiential learning; hands-on projects; access to courses and dual degrees at across 96 University of Michigan programs; internships; and career advising.
Consisting of 48 credit hours, the U-M MSI program explores human computer interaction (HCI) and user experience (UX); data science; digital archives; analytics; and library science. However, students have the opportunity to customize the curriculum by choosing coursework in user experience research and design, human computer interaction, and social computing; digital archives, library science, and preservation; or data science, data analytics, and computational social science.
UX, HCI, and Social Computing explores areas such as interaction design, usability testing, product design, mobile applications, virtual reality systems, website design, and social media. Course examples include UX Research and Design; User-Centered Agile Development; Developing AR/VR Experiences; Information Architecture; Graphic Design and Visual Communications; Building Interactive Applications; Needs Assessment and Usability Evaluation; Programming; Developing Mobile Experiences, and Pervasive Interaction Design.
The MSI program at University of Michigan culminates with a final project. Approximately 93% of graduates are working in their chosen field. MSI program alumni hold titles such as UX Designer, Digital Product Manager, Experience Designer Researcher, UX/UI Designer, Virtual Reality User Researcher, Senior UX Researcher, Product Design Manager, Project Manager, Interaction Designer, Senior Analyst, and Senior Backend Developer.
Program alumni have been hired at places such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, JPMorgan Chase, KPMG, Alibaba Group, Deloitte Digital, Samsung, U.S. Department of Labor, Ford Motor Company, Eli Lily, Cisco Systems, Meta, IBM, Ernst & Young, General Motors, Caterpillar, PNC, Visa, Transunion, Humana, Walmart Global Tech, Sams Club, Accenture, SoFi, CVS Health, Procter & Gamble, and Slalom.
University of Michigan is one of the first public universities in the nation. Established in 1817 in Detroit, Michigan, the school serves 52,065 students, making it the largest school in the state for the third consecutive year. U-M provides more than 275 degree programs across 19 colleges and schools. University of Michigan is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
With 15,245 students, five schools, and 19 degree programs, the College of Computing at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is one of the largest technology colleges in the U.S. Among the offerings here is an MS in Human-Computer Interaction (MS-HCI) that draws from four schools including Interactive Computing; Literature, Media, and Communication (LMC); Industrial Design; and Psychology.
This multidisciplinary program requires 36 credit hours, taken over four semesters. Regardless of the school, students will take the same fixed core courses. These include HCI Professional Preparation and Practice; Human-Computer Interaction Foundations; and Psychology Research Methods for HCI.
In addition, students will take courses related to their specialization, as well as electives across a wide range of areas such as Human-Robot Interaction; Human Factors; Technology Management; Computer Science, Industrial and Systems Engineering; and Cognitive Science. Specializations include Interactive Computing; Digital Media (DM, through the School of LMC); Industrial Design; and Psychology. With the exception of Psychology, all specializations provide numerous opportunities to immerse in HCI and related-coursework.
Across areas, students can choose from courses and electives such as Principles of User Interface Software; Human-Centered Computing; Interface Prototyping: Exploring Tools & Theories; Mixed Reality Experience Design; Human-Robot Interaction; Special Problems in Human-Computer Interaction; Prototyping Interactive Systems; Human-Centered Data Analysis; Service Design, Brand & Value Creation; Game Artificial Intelligence; Information Visualization; Physical Prototyping in HCI; Information and Communication Technologies and Global Development; Visualizing Communication for Interaction; Design of Interactive Environments; Discovery and Invention in Digital Media; Wearable Technologies for Health; Universal Design; and Web Design Accessibility.
In addition to access to in-demand courses, all Georgia Tech MS-HCI students have the opportunity to earn a Certificate in Technology Management from the College of Management. Students will also complete a mandatory internship during the summer after their first year of study.
Graduates of the MS-HCI program have been hired at companies across the U.S. and around the globe. Across programs, Georgia Tech alumni have been hired by companies such as Microsoft, Google, Boeing, Apple, IBM, Disney, Tesla, Intel, Cisco Systems, and Delta Airlines.
Georgia Institute of Technology was founded on October 13, 1885. The school opened in 1888, with 129 students enrolled in one degree program—the Mechanical Engineering BS. Today, Georgia Tech serves approximately 45,300 students from all 50 states and 149 countries.
More than 180 degree programs and minors are provided across six distinct colleges, 28 schools, and three campuses in Atlanta, Georgia (main); Georgia Tech-Lorraine in Metz, France; and Georgia Tech-Shenzhen in China. Georgia Institute of Technology is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The College of Information Studies (INFO College or iSchool) at University of Maryland (UMD) is home to the graduate Human-Computer Interaction (HCIM) program. Leading to an MS, the HCIM program provides opportunities to connect with one of more than 400 top government and industry partners through the INFO Corporate Partnership Program. Employers, corporations, and organizations engage with students through hands-on capstone projects, internships, and campus events.
Examples of industry and government partners include the U.S. Department of Defense, Smithsonian, National Archives, Department of the Interior, Microsoft, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Google, IBM, World Bank, CISCO, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Adobe, PayPal, Capital One, Fidelity, Verizon Wireless, Bloomberg, PBS, Nickelodeon, the Washington Post, American Airlines, Honda, BlueCross BlueShield, and Blackboard.
The College of Information Studies at University of Maryland UMD also provides hands-on learning opportunities at the school’s research centers and labs. Examples include the Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL); the Center for Archival Futures (CAFe); the Values-Centered Artificial Intelligence (VCAI) Initiative; and the Computational Linguistics and Information Processing (CLIP) Lab.
The interdisciplinary HCIM MS program at University of Maryland requires 30 credit hours. This includes 12 credits of core courses, 12 credits of electives, and six credits including two Capstone or Thesis courses. Core courses explore Human-Computer Interaction, User Experience, User Interfaces, Design, Research Methods, Data Analysis, and Programming. Electives allow students to focus in an area such as Data Visualization, Usability, or Privacy.
For the two-semester Capstone, students work in groups to conduct user research and prototype designs for real clients. This option allows students to gain valuable experience in project management, UX design, user research, and front-end development. The two-semester Thesis option is a self-directed research-focused experience that results in a 70- to 100-page thesis. This option is ideal for students who wish to pursue a research-intensive career or pursue a PhD.
The iSchool at University of Maryland has a 96.5% placement rate (employment or continued education). Graduates are prepared to pursue a variety of roles such as User Experience Designer, User Interface Designer, User Experience Researcher, Interaction Designer, Visual Designer, Product Designer, Information Architect, and Usability Analyst.
UMD iSchool alumni have gone on to reconstruct the New York Times UX; address Chicago’s information infrastructure; govern the American Library Association (ALA); and oversee social media for the United Nations. Alumni have also worked with (or currently work for) companies and organizations such as Google, Deloitte, Aspera (IBM), Capital One, PBS, American Airlines, the New York Times, Cisco, Johns Hopkins University, the NIH, Ericsson, PayPal, VistaPrint, and Blackboard.
Founded in 1856, University of Maryland is the flagship institution of the State of Maryland. The school employs more than 14,000 faculty and staff members that serve approximately 40,710 students. UMD provides more than 300 academic programs across 12 colleges. University of Maryland is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
The College of Humanities and the Arts and the College of Engineering at San Jose State University (San Jose State or SJSU) provide two graduate programs for students seeking careers in UX/UI/HCI. Options include the Master of Design (MDes) with a specialization in Experience Design (XD), and the Human Factors and Ergonomics MS (HFE MS).
Housed in the Department of Design within the College of Humanities and the Arts, the MDes with a specialization in XD is a two-year, multidisciplinary program that highlights advanced studio courses, seminars, and internship opportunities at the companies, museums, design firms, and start-ups in Silicon Valley. Students in this 60-unit program also have the opportunity to take on a teaching assistantship and/or collaborative projects with faculty as research assistants.
The XD specialization requires 20 units. Students will select courses from the following options: Design Research Methodologies; Human Dimensions in Experience Design; Designing with Data & Emergent Technology; Graduate Studio: Experience Design (to be completed twice) and Professional Practices. Other course examples (core) include Contextual Studies; Graduate Seminar in Design; and Professional Writing in Design.
The culminating experience for the MDes at San Jose State University is the Master’s Project. Throughout this four-unit course, students will work with an approved faculty chair and committee to execute, publicly exhibit, and defend the merits of their Master’s project.
Graduates of the MDes program have gone on to work at tech companies, consulting firms, and start-ups such as Samsung, Chase, Whipsaw, IDEO, Tesla, Astro Studios, LinkedIn, Yelp, Airbnb, Lyft, and Volkswagen. Program alumni have also gone on to work in academia, pursue research careers, and enroll in PhD programs at top universities.
The Human Factors and Ergonomics MS at San Jose State University is housed in the College of Engineering’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE). This STEM-designated, interdisciplinary program that provides multiple tracks and emphasis areas that focus on Human-Computer Interaction; Human-System Integration in Workplace and Production Design; and User Experience, among others. Students in all options have ample opportunities to study UX/UI/HCI.
Across options, students will take courses such as Human-Computer Interaction; Interaction Design I-II; Usability Evaluation and Testing; Interactive and Interface Design; UI Design; Research in Human-Computer Interaction; Ethnographic Techniques; Ergonomics for Design; and Seminar in Perception. The culminating experience for the program is the Thesis (Plan A) or Project (Plan B).
Graduates of College of Engineering at San Jose State University are prepared for leadership roles in areas such as computer networking, manufacturing, government, healthcare, aerospace, internet and software, telecommunications, civil engineering, and many others. SJSU Engineering alumni have been hired at places such as NASA, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Google, Tesla, eBay, Apple, Cisco, SAP SE, Intel, IBM, Kohl’s, PayPal, and the City of San Jose.
Established in 1857, San Jose State University is Silicon Valley’s Public University. Serving approximately 36,000 students, the school provides more than 250 areas of study at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Programs at SJSU are housed across nine colleges and dozens of departments and schools. San Jose State University is accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
The College of Integrative Sciences and Arts at Arizona State University (ASU) is home to the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering—the nation’s largest engineering program. Housing eight schools, Fulton provides nearly 50 graduate and 25 undergraduate programs to approximately 31,815 students from all 56 states and nearly 160 countries. Within the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering is The Polytechnic School, which houses the User Experience MS (UX MS) program.
Students in this STEM-designated program will explore the design, development, and analysis of products and services, user interaction, UX research, communication, and content development. Required courses include Cross-Media Design Solutions; User Experience; Usability and User Experience; Fundamentals of Technical Communication; Methods and Tools in Human Systems Engineering; and Foundations of Human Systems Engineering.
Electives allow students to gain knowledge in different areas of UX. Two elective courses are allowed. Examples include Interaction Design, Planning and Implementation; Human Factors in Medical Systems; Content Management and Topic-Based Authoring; Product Design and Evaluation; Global Issues in Technical Communication; and Human Factors in Transportation. Students may also complete an internship.
The UX MS program at Arizona State University culminates with the User Experience Capstone. Students in this final course will create a document and synthesis of the graduate experience.
Graduates of the program are prepared for positions in areas such as User Experience, Human-Computer Interaction, User Research, Interaction Design, Design Research, Interface Design, Digital Visualization Design, Usability Testing, and Human Factors Research.
Thanks to Career Fairs hosted by the Fulton Schools throughout the year, UX MS graduates have the potential to interview with major companies and organizations such as the U.S. Federal Government, Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Oracle, Verizon, Cisco Systems, American Express, Honeywell, the U.S. Armed Forces, Deloitte, General Motors, American Airlines, Epic Systems, Intel, Cox Communications, Starbucks, Infosys Limited, Choice Hotels International, eBay, and PayPal.
Arizona State University opened on Feb. 8, 1886 as Territorial Normal School (TNS)—the state’s first higher education institution. On the first day of class, TNS welcomed 33 students to a four-classroom building in Tempe, Arizona. Today, ASU serves approximately 142,635 students from across the U.S. and close to 160 other countries. More than 800 degree programs are provided across four campuses, 16 colleges and schools, and ASU Online. Arizona State University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Engineering at ASU is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Purdue Polytechnic Institute is one of the 10 colleges of Purdue University. Serving approximately 5,605 students, this technology college provides more than 65 programs across seven departments and schools that emphasize innovation, hands-on learning, and interdisciplinary study. The Department of Computer Graphics Technology (CGT) here provides seven career-ready programs at all degree levels.
Computer Graphics Technology includes UX Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Animation, Data Visualization, Game Studies, and Digital Enterprise Systems.
At the graduate level, Polytechnic students can earn a Computer Graphics Technology MS (CGT MS) or a PhD in Technology. Serving 90 students, the CGT MS program has a STEM-designated UX Design concentration that requires a minimum of 15 credit hours. Students in the PhD program can customize the program and research areas by selecting CGT coursework or courses from any department or concentration.
Required courses for the UX Design concentration include Foundational Readings of User Experience Design; Qualitative Research Methods in Technology Studies; UXD Graduate Studio 1: Fundamentals; and UXD Studio 2: Cross-Channel. Students can choose additional courses from a list of “selectives.” Examples include Interaction Design Evaluation; Cognition for Interaction Design; Interactive Multimedia Development & Research; Cognition and Human-Computer Interaction; Information Technology Project Management; Crowd Powered Systems; Human Factors in Engineering; Job Design; Cognitive Engineering of Interactive Software; and Design Theory and Technology.
Graduate students also have access to the Design, Visualization & Cognition (DVC) Lab; the Design & Engineering for Making (DE4M) Lab; and UXD Grad Experience Studios. This experiential learning opportunity allows students to work in teams on real-world projects to solve design projects. Participating Studios students will graduate with at least 3.5 years of industry experience, contacts within the industry, and a clear understanding of industry job requirements.
Graduates of the CGT MS and Technology PhD programs at Purdue University are prepared to seek leadership roles across all industries that utilize UX Design. Job titles include UX/UI Senior Designer, Senior User Experience Engineer, UX Lead, Product Manager, Senior Front-end Developer, Senior Information Designer, User Researcher, UX Manager, User Interface Designer, UX Developer, and Interaction Designer. Potential employers include Deloitte, Microsoft, Amazon, DreamWorks, Google, JPMorgan Chase, and Salesforce.
Established in 1869, Purdue University serves approximately 52,210 students from all 50 states and 135+ countries. Approximately 11% of all students are enrolled in Purdue Polytechnic Institute. Purdue provides more than 400 programs across 11 academic colleges and schools. Purdue University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The Donald Bren School of Informatics & Computer Sciences (ICS) at University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine or UCI) is home to the Department of Informatics. Within the Department is the world’s only mixed format, low residency, one-year Master of Human-Computer Interaction and Design (MHCID). Fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and overseen by the Academic Senate of the University of California, the MHCID combines flexible online learning with in-person accelerated courses.
The curriculum for the MHCID program consists of coursework from the Arts, Business, Computer Science, Education, Humanities, Informatics, and Social Sciences at UC Irvine. Courses explore user experience design and development, visual design, user facing software development, human behavior and cognition, ideation and design processes, communication, universal design, current trends in user experience, and more.
Sample courses Overview of HCI and Design; User Needs Analysis; Design and Prototyping; User Experience and Evaluation; Advanced Design and Prototyping; Applying HCI and Design in Industry; and Interactive Technology Studio. The curriculum also consists of a three-day Spring Intensive, which provides the opportunity for hands-on instruction and networking with students, faculty, alumni, and advisory board members.
The Intensive also helps kick off the capstone project, which is the culminating experience for the MHCID program. The Capstone Project in HCI and Design (course 287) is a group project allows students to take all that they have learned to create a final project. Project teams of four to six students will work with industry partners to solve a variety of user experience challenges across industries such as healthcare, retail, education, and more. Past ICS partners include Boeing, Google, Blizzard Entertainment, Experian, Sony Picture Studios, and Thales Avionics.
The Capstone Project and Portfolio (course 288, Summer quarter) marks the completion of all capstone projects and development of professional portfolios. All projects are presented at the end of the program.
Graduates of the Master of Human-Computer Interaction and Design program at UC Irvine are prepared to pursue positions such as User Experience Designer, Product Manager, Software Architect, Interaction Designer, Creative Director, UX Engineer, UX Prototyper, Lead Designer, Social Media Director Product Designer, Systems Engineer, Front-End Developer, and Content Strategist.
With more than 1,200 faculty members and 10,000 staff, University of California, Irvine is the largest employer in Orange County California. Established in 1965, the school serves approximately 37,245 students enrolled in more than 220 programs across 18 colleges, schools, and divisions. University of California, Irvine is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is home to the only comprehensive academic design department in the University of California System. Part of the UC Davis College of Letters and Science, the Department of Design houses a range of resources to accommodate all majors. Students in the Department have access to prototyping labs, computer studios, tool rooms, and the Design Museum. Design Department students also have the opportunity to join clubs, participate in competitions, and access Handshake, which lists more than 100 industry internship and job opportunities.
At the graduate level, the UC Davis Department of Design has an MFA program that allows students to choose their own path. Students may work on collaborative projects with students and faculty; they may focus on intensive studio activity; they have the option to collaborate with across more than 100 departments and programs at UC Davis; or students may focus on sustainability and its relationship to the design practice.
MFA students may also choose an emphasis from nine areas. Examples include Interactive Design; Visual Communication; History and Theory of Design; Product Design; and Exhibition Design. For students interested in UX/UI/HCI, the Interactive Design emphasis is the most popular option.
The interactive Design emphasis is interdisciplinary, allowing students to pursue courses in areas such user experience, interface design, human-computer interaction (HCI), machine learning, wearable technologies, interactive objects, and data representation. Students may also pursue group and independent studies, as well as elective course outside the department in Computer Science, Cinema and Digital Media, Engineering, Science and Technology, and Psychology.
In addition to emphasis area courses and electives, Interactive Design students will take core courses such as Theories of Design; Studio Practice & Critique; Methodologies and Literature Review; Professional Practices and Ethics; and Collaborative Studio.
The Design MFA program at University of California, Davis culminates with the Thesis Exhibition. Graduates are prepared for advanced-level positions and leadership roles across industries. Department of Design alumni have been hired at companies, studios, and publications such as Apple, Disney, Vanity Fair, Whole Foods, Lululemon, Pottery Barn, and Gap, Inc.
University of California Davis opened in 1908 as the research and science-based instruction extension of UC Berkeley known as University Farm. Today, UC Davis is one of the nation’s top 10 public universities, and the largest in area of the 10-campus UC system. Serving 40,850 students, the school is also the third largest university in the UC System. More than 200 majors and graduate degree programs are provided across 11 colleges and schools. University of California Davis is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Michigan State University (MSU) is home to the College of Communication Arts and Sciences (ComArtSci). Within the ComArtSci is the Department of Media and Information (MI), which has two graduate degree programs for students interested in pursuing advanced roles in UX/UI/HCI. Options include the Media and Information MA with a focus in Human Computer Interaction, and the User Experience MS. Both programs are STEM-designated with access to labs, online courses, and opportunities to work on projects with real clients.
MA and MS students also benefit from small class sizes; faculty and media networks; and courses taught by faculty with research and professional experience. Course examples for the MA program include Usability and Accessibility; Interaction Design/Socio-Technical Systems; Understanding Users; and Theories of Games and Interaction Design.
MS students can expect to take courses such as User Research and Design; Current Topics in UX; Design for Interactivity; Quantitative Analysis and Insights in UX; Usability Evaluation; Programming Fundamentals for UX; and Social Science for Design.
To enhance the ComArtSci graduate degree programs, the Department of Media and Information encourages adding additional focus areas and/or building your own (e.g. HCI/Game Development or UX/Game Design); special topics; and participation in the MSU Internship Program. Examples of where students have interned include Apple, Fabrik Entertainment, ABC Studios, The Daily Show, and AutoZone.
The Media and Information MA and the User Experience MS programs at Michigan State University culminate with a final project or Capstone. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in UX/UI/HCI across industries. Examples include technology, government, education, gaming, retail, education, health care, insurance, travel, banking, and e-commerce.
Established in 1855, Michigan State University is a land-grant, public research institution that serves more than 51,000 students. One of the largest and greenest campuses in the U.S., MSU houses more than 100 institutes and centers including the Institute of Global Health and the Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. The school also houses over 400 programs of study across 17 degree-granting colleges. Michigan State University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
