Human-Centered Interaction Design, M.S.

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The 36-semester hour graduate program in Human-Centered Interaction Design is designed to promote the human-centered collaborative mindsets that are required for careers in the research, specifications, and development of technologically-driven experiences. The program is interdisciplinary, bringing together the application of knowledge drawn from the social and behavioral sciences, information science, software engineering and project management. The student is taught a balance of theories, methods, skills, and processes.

Program Goals

Demonstrate foundational knowledge of theories and applications from human behavior and design science;
Communicate, collaborate and coordinate effectively across diverse populations and media;
Effectively research people, document problems, and determine research relevance;
Reflect on self as designer and professional; and
Design and produce engaging interventions facilitated by digital technologies.

Human-Centered Interaction Design Requirements

The following courses comprise the Master of Science in Human-Centered Interaction Design - 36 semester hours. The semester hour value of each course appears in parentheses ( ).

Complete the following Core courses - 18 semester hours:

HCID 500 - Design Perspectives (3 semester hours)
HCID 504 - Qualitative Discovery Research (3 semester hours)
HCID 510 - Theories of Human Interaction (3 semester hours)
HCID 520 - Users and Populations (3 semester hours)
HCID 540 - Design Tools and Processes (3 semester hours)
HCID 570 - Design Patterns and Contexts (3 semester hours)

Complete the following experiential courses - 6 semester hours:

GRAD 695 - Research Methodology and Writing (3 semester hours)
and
GRAD 699 - Graduate Thesis (3 semester hours)
or
HCID 695 - Design Research Studio (3 semester hours)
and
HCID 699 - Applied Project in Human-Centered Interaction Design (3 semester hours)

Complete the following Concentration:

Individualized Concentration (12 semester hours)

The Master of Science in Human-Centered Interaction Design student must take 12 elective credits (9 credits of existing courses with advisor consultation/approval and a 3 credit HCID 680 Special Topics course). Existing course offerings across Harrisburg University’s master’s degree programs will provide the student with opportunities to deepen their skills and knowledge of cognate areas in Analytics, Healthcare IT, E-Business, and IS/IT Management, dependent on the student’s interest. Upon acceptance to the program, the student will receive one-on-one advising to craft an appropriate program of study that balances the core focus in HCID, with complementary training from other Harrisburg University graduate programs. The intent is to provide the student with personally relevant training in subject and skill areas that align to the student’s career goals.