Program Overview

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Master of Science in Human Centered Design & Engineering

The University of Washington's Master of Science in Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) prepares its graduates for leadership roles in user experience research and design, interface design, interaction design, product design, and human-computer interaction.

Program Overview

• HCDE Master's students solve real-world problems with our award-winning interdisciplinary faculty and students from diverse professional backgrounds.
• A flexible schedule allows students to attend part time or full time.
• Courses are offered in-person and cannot be completed online.

Why HCDE?

• HCDE is an inclusive, interdisciplinary academic community.
• Graduates of HCDE receive engineering degrees and find jobs as user experience (UX) researchers and designers, systems analysts, design researchers, usability evaluators, web and information developers, and more.
• The University of Washington is located on a beautiful campus in the city of Seattle, and our students have access to the many prominent corporations that call the Pacific Northwest home.

Our Students

• The Master's program in HCDE attracts students who are interested in researching, designing, and engineering technological interactions from a human perspective.
• Our students have a variety of academic and professional backgrounds, with an approximate breakdown of one-third from technical and engineering backgrounds, one-third from social sciences backgrounds, and one-third from design backgrounds.
• About half of our students are working professionals, studying as part-time students; the other half of our students study full-time.

Curriculum & Program Objectives

• Students in the HCDE Master's program take a minimum of 50 credits, 24 of which are required core courses.
• The remaining 26 credits include elective courses, seminars, and Directed Research Groups.
• Upon completion of the HCDE Master's degree, students assume leadership roles in human-centered design and engineering in academia, industry, government, and non-profits.

Program Objectives

• The program aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to excel in human-centered design and engineering.
• Students will develop a deep understanding of human-centered design principles, methods, and tools.

Degree Requirements

• A minimum of 50 credits is required for the completion of the degree.
• 24 credits are required core courses.
• 26 credits include elective courses, seminars, and Directed Research Groups.

Course Descriptions

• The program offers a range of courses that cover topics such as human-centered design, user experience research, interface design, interaction design, product design, and human-computer interaction.
• Courses are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, methods, and tools of human-centered design and engineering.

Directed Research Groups

• Directed Research Groups provide students with the opportunity to work on real-world projects and apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the program.
• Students work in teams to design, develop, and test innovative solutions to complex problems.

Admissions

• The online application is first made available no later than September each year through the UW Graduate School's application portal.
• The annual application deadline for the HCDE Master's program is on January 15 (except in years when that date coincides with a holiday or weekend, in which case it is slightly adjusted).
• Students begin the program in the following autumn quarter only.
• Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate deferment requests to any quarter/year beyond this time for accepted applicants.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is required for admission to the program.
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for admission to the program.
• Applicants must submit official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement as part of the application process.

Application Deadlines

• The next application deadline is January 14, 2026.
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the deadline.

Tuition and Fees

• The tuition and fees for the HCDE Master's program vary depending on the student's residency status and the number of credits taken.
• For more information on tuition and fees, please visit the University of Washington's website.

Research Areas

• The HCDE department is involved in a range of research areas, including human-centered design, user experience research, interface design, interaction design, product design, and human-computer interaction.
• Faculty members are actively engaged in research and provide students with opportunities to participate in research projects.

Careers

• Graduates of the HCDE Master's program have gone on to work in a range of industries, including technology, healthcare, finance, and education.
• Career paths include user experience researcher, designer, systems analyst, design researcher, usability evaluator, web and information developer, and more.