Human-Computer Interaction (HCIM)
Graduate Degree Program
College: Information Studies
Abstract
In the HCIM program, students learn to design, evaluate, and implement new information technologies that are understandable, usable, and appealing to a wide variety of people. Our students develop a fundamental understanding of the technology design process, tool-building technologies, evaluation techniques, application areas for users, and the social impact of technology on the individual and community. The program prepares students to become human-computer interaction (HCI) leaders in industry and government, or to become successful in doctoral work in a particular specialization of HCI.
Our 30-credit program is typically completed in two years by full-time students, while offering flexibility to accommodate part-time and professional students. Our core curriculum grounds students in the fundamentals of HCI perspectives and methodologies, while electives offer in-depth insight into specialized areas of the field. Students are free to spend the summer in between working at an internship they secure, volunteering, taking courses, or developing their own projects of interest. The choice of an individual thesis or a client-based team capstone project allows students to demonstrate the skills they’ve acquired in the form best suited to their career goals.
Financial Assistance
The HCIM program is not able to offer applicants financial aid on admission. Many of our students apply for and secure graduate assistantships after being admitted to the program, but these positions are administered by individual faculty, departments, and offices, not by the program itself. For more information about scholarships and financial aid offered by the College of Information Studies, please see here.
Contact
For more information about applying to the HCIM program, please contact HCIM team at hcim@umd.edu.
Please visit the College of Information Studies website for details on upcoming Information Sessions or Open House programs.
iSchool Student Services Office
4110 Hornbake Building, South Wing
4130 Campus Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.2038
Email: hcim@umd.edu
Website: http://www.ischool.umd.edu/hcim
Relationships: Information Management (INFM) Information Studies (INFS) Library and Information Science (LBSC) Library and Information Science (online) (LBSO)
General Requirements
- Statement of Purpose
- Transcript(s): Uploading unofficial transcripts is sufficient for the purposes of the application review process. However, if you are offered admission and choose to enroll in the University of Maryland, you will need to provide an official and unopened transcript.
- TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students)
Program-Specific Requirements
- Letters of Recommendation (3)
- CV/Resume
- Supplementary Application
- Portfolio PDF Upload
All applicants to the College of Information Studies must meet the minimum requirements set by the University of Maryland Graduate School.
- Applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution.
- Applicants must have earned a minimum 3.0 average GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all prior undergraduate course work.
- Applicants must provide an official copy of a transcript for all their post-secondary work.
Admission to the HCIM program is competitive. Applicants are evaluated for admission to the program based primarily on academic achievement (GPA and prior coursework) and admissions essays. TOEFL score should be 100 or higher. GRE should be in the 40th percentile or higher for Verbal scores and in the 60th percentile or higher for Qualitative scores.
Application Deadlines
| Type of Applicant | Fall Deadline |
|---|---|
| Domestic Applicants | |
| US Citizens and Permanent Residents | January 5, 2024 |
| International Applicants | |
| F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas; A, E, G, H, I and L visas and immigrants | January 5, 2024 |
RESOURCES AND LINKS:
Program Website: https://ischool.umd.edu/
Application Process: gradschool.umd.edu/admissions
At the University of Maryland College of Information Studies (INFO College), faculty, staff, and students are exploring how people access and use information. From developing smart city technology to creating new archival methods, we seek to improve the individual experience as well as to foster connected communities. Through our research centers, labs and interest groups, we enable discovery, creativity, problem-solving, and fun while tackling real-world challenges and developing impactful solutions. All students are invited to participate in hands-on research and learning with our centers, labs and interest groups. Most groups also host public events bringing together thought leaders of the discipline. Click below to browse.
Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL)
The Human-Computer Interaction Lab has a long, rich history of transforming the experience people have with new technologies.
Organizational Teams and Technology Research Society (OTTRS) Interest Group
The OTTRS Interest Group aims to advance research and collaboration on the study of teams relevant to technology and information—e.g., teams and AI, technology to support different types of teams, collaborative learning, and ethics of teams and technology.
Center for Archival Futures (CAFe)
The Center for Archival Futures develops and disseminates human-centered approaches to creating the systems, processes, and institutions which enable the use of and care for digital objects and data over time. We take a holistic view of archives and digital curation—transcending disciplines and organizational contexts.
Social Data Science Center (SoDA)
The Social Data Science Center (SoDA) — a Center established by the College of Information Studies and the Joint Program in Survey Methodology (JPSM) within the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences — is an inter‐disciplinary academic and research center.
Search Mastery Interest Group
The Search Mastery Interest Group is committed to leadership in the advancement of search literacy as a high-priority component of a information literacy education.
Computational Linguistics and Information Processing Lab (CLIP)
The CLIP Laboratory at the University of Maryland is engaged in designing algorithms and methods that allow computers to effectively and efficiently perform human language-related tasks.
Trace Research & Development Center (Trace)
The Trace Research & Development Center has been a pioneer in the field of technology and disability, known for high-impact research and development.
Sociotechnical Cybersecurity (STC) Interest Group
The STC Interest Group examines and evolves current ideas around sociotechnical cybersecurity, including organizational, economic, social, legal, educational, psychological, and other human aspects of cybersecurity.
You can find a list of research projects here.
Please find the HCIM faculty directory here.