Program Overview

Master of Human-Computer Interaction

The Master of Human-Computer Interaction (MHCI) program at Carnegie Mellon University is the first program in the world dedicated to preparing professionals for careers related to human-computer interaction, user experience design, and user-centered research.

About the MHCI Program

• The MHCI program is a three-semester program completed over the course of a full calendar year (August-August).
• It is a professional degree that prepares students for industry and a career related to user experience, human-computer interaction, and beyond.
• Our program is interdisciplinary to its core. Each year, cohorts are made up of richly diverse student groups with varying degrees of industry experience and backgrounds in design, social science, business, and computer science among many others.
• MHCI is led by faculty who are driving and defining the world of HCI. They bring together expertise in computer science, cognitive psychology, behavioral science, design, and many are experts coming directly from industry. Our diverse range of faculty powers the interdisciplinary culture in the HCII.
• The flagship course of the MHCI program is the seven-month Capstone course, a research and design team project with an external industry client.
• MHCI is currently designated a STEM program.

The MHCI Experience

During the first semester, students learn core HCI methodologies and techniques in the required classes, while customizing their academic experience from the immense selection of electives across all of the schools at Carnegie Mellon University.

While completing the second and third semesters, students continue their diverse electives and complete a substantial industry capstone project with an external client. Our alumni praise the capstone course as being one of the most instrumental courses in their academic career.

Since our first graduating class in 1997, we have graduated more than 1,200 MHCI students who are now defining the ways humans interact with technology. They are user researchers, experience designers, product managers, entrepreneurs, and business owners, and software developers. More importantly, they are strategizing and defining the future of technology in companies around the world.

Curriculum

• The program integrates service and design thinking into a rigorous HCI curriculum that prepares our students to design and guide the future of human and technology interactions.
• Electives: Students can choose from a wide range of electives across all schools at Carnegie Mellon University.
• Sample Study Plans: Available to help students plan their academic path.
• Handbooks: Provided to guide students through the program.

Program Outcomes

• The MHCI program prepares students for careers in user experience, human-computer interaction, and related fields.
• Alumni have gone on to work in top companies, defining the future of technology and human interaction.

Program Details

• Duration: Three semesters, completed over a full calendar year (August-August).
• Degree: Professional degree.
• Interdisciplinary: Combines expertise from computer science, cognitive psychology, behavioral science, design, and industry.
• Faculty: Led by renowned experts in HCI, with a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise.
• Capstone Project: A seven-month research and design team project with an external industry client.
• STEM Designation: Currently designated as a STEM program.