Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction (HCIM) - College of Information (INFO)

Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction (HCIM)

Create innovative technologies.

The Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction (HCIM) program at the UMD College of Information (INFO) prepares students to create innovative technologies that transform the way people connect to information. Our students learn to design, evaluate, and implement new information technologies and interfaces that are usable and appealing.

The curriculum blends theory, practical skills (such as UX/UI, data analysis, and design), and hands-on learning with partner organizations and industry professionals – preparing our graduates to apply their skills directly and immediately in their careers.

Located just outside the nation’s capital, students have access to all of the social, cultural, internship, and job opportunities that Washington D.C. has to offer.

Connect With Program Team

Interested in a Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction?


What You Will Learn

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES

Capstone Track

  • Carry out a full lifecycle design project by working closely with an industry client (via the iConsultancy)
  • Use Agile design processes to collaborate, design, and deliver a project solution within a consultancy team
Thesis Track

  • Research, write, and defend an academic thesis
  • Work with thesis advisor and committee
  • Product a publishable thesis submittable for presentation at CHI or similar conference
All Tracks

  • Design
  • Research
  • UX Strategy

CROSS-DISCIPLINARY

Choice of electives, including but not limited to:

  • Data visualization and design
  • Health informatics
  • Inclusive design and accessibility
  • Game design and augmented reality design
  • Social computing
  • Machine learning
  • Generative AI in UX
  • UX Business
  • Usability Testing
  • Visual Design
  • Information architecture

Through capstone projects students build relationships with the INFO College’s 400+ top industry and government partners, such as Microsoft, Google, IBM, Adobe, PayPal, Capital One, Fidelity, World Bank, CISCO, Verizon Wireless, PBS, Nickelodeon, Blackboard, Honda, American Airlines, BlueCross BlueShield, NIH, IRS, U.S. Dept of Defense, Smithsonian, National Archives, Department of the Interior, Bloomberg, the Washington Post, Nasa, Wise Cities, Flikshop, Montgomery County, MD; Praxis Impact, Hometown Heroes, Mathventure, and University Park Maryland.

Explore More

START YOUR JOURNEY TODAY

Curriculum

Curriculum:

Through an interdisciplinary curriculum – with perspectives from information studies, computer science, engineering, design, education, psychology, and the social sciences – students in the UMD Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction (HCIM) program are uniquely prepared to leverage information technology for positive social impact, develop interfaces for users of all ages and abilities, and understand modern design methodology. The HCIM program requires 30 credit hours of academic work to be completed:

  • 4 Core Courses (12 Credits) that teach our students Programming, Human-Computer Interaction, User Experience (UX), User Interfaces (UI), Research Methods, Data Analysis, and Design
  • 4 Elective Courses (12 Credits) that allow students to specialize in areas such as Privacy, Usability, Youth Learning, Data Visualization, and more
  • 2 Capstone or Thesis Courses (6 Credits)

Learn more about the HCIM curriculum and course planning.

Create a schedule that works for you:

We offer both in-person and online classes, allowing you the flexibility to create a hybrid schedule that works for you. We do not offer this program fully online.

As a student in the program, you can choose to participate full-time and earn your degree in as little as two years – or take your time and set your own pace.

Reputation
  • The world renowned Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL) creates more hands-on learning opportunities for students
  • #1 in Maryland – HCI Masters Program (Edurank)
  • #6 in USA – HCI Masters Program (Edurank)
  • #10 in USA – UMD – Public Institution for Patents Awarded (IPO Assoc)
  • #10 in USA – UMD – Public Institution for Research Spending (NSF Survey)
Faculty

Expert Faculty

AT THE FOREFRONT OF HCI

Dr. Jessica Vitak

Dr. Jessica Vitak
Professor, HCIL Director

Dr. Sheena Erete

Dr. Sheena Erete
Associate Professor

Dr. Stephanie Valencia²

Dr. Stephanie Valencia²
Assistant Professor

Dr. Galina Madjaroff Reitz

Dr. Galina Madjaroff Reitz
Principal Lecturer, Director of HCIM

Meet More HCIM Faculty

Career Paths & Salaries

As technology becomes increasingly integral to our daily lives, there is a growing need for skilled information technology professionals who can create easy-to-use, meaningful technologies for diverse populations.

“Professors at INFO taught me not only the fundamentals of UX design, but also how to be an advocate for design.” – Jenny Hottle, HCIM Alumna, Product Designer for the New York Times

Career paths: User Experience Designer, User Experience Researcher, User Interface Designer, Interaction Designer, Information Architect, Usability Analyst, User Researcher, Visual Designer, Product Designer

Graduates have worked at: Google, Capital One, American Airlines, Blackboard, Washingtonian, Cvent, Informatica, Ericsson, Deloitte, Microstrategy, New York Times, Cisco, PBS, Johns Hopkins University, PayPal, VistaPrint, NIH, Aspera (IBM), and many more top organizations

Graduate placement rate: (2021 UMD Career Center survey): 96.5% placement (employment or continued education); 95% of graduates report that their education at the UMD INFO College supported their career goals.


Average Salaries for Potential Jobs

PURSUE YOUR PASSION

$146K (UX Designer)
$132K (UX Product Designer)
$215K (UX Product Manager)
$157K (UX Researcher)
$105K (Project Manager)
$141K (UX Engineer)
$147K (UX Consultant)
$141K (UX Strategist)
$135K (Usability Analyst)
$105K (Visual Designer)

INFO’s HCIM graduates work at various organizations, including but not limited to: Google, Adobe, Cisco, Epic Games, The New York Times, Medstar Health, Amtrak, IBM, Intuit, Capital One, Duo, Federal Government, Fidelity Investments, Volvo, Flikshop, Library of Congress.

Hands-On Learning and Research

Through internships, class projects, capstone projects, and events, students build relationships with the INFO College’s 400+ top industry and government partners, such as Microsoft, Google, IBM, Adobe, PayPal, Capital One, Fidelity, World Bank, CISCO, Verizon Wireless, PBS, Nickelodeon, Blackboard, Honda, American Airlines, BlueCross BlueShield, NIH, IRS, U.S. Dept of Defense, Smithsonian, National Archives, Department of the Interior, Bloomberg, the Washington Post, Nasa, Wise Cities, Flikshop, Montgomery County, MD; Praxis Impact, Hometown Heroes, Mathventure, and University Park Maryland.

Our students also have opportunities for hands-on learning at the INFO College’s world-renowned research centers and labs, such as the prestigious Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL), home of KidsTeam. KidsTeam engages children as technology design partners, developing real-world products. Watch the KidsTeam in action! Another great way to learn about the HCI research happening at the INFO College is to browse our HCI news.

Discover INFO’s world-renowned research centers and labs
  • Human-Computer Interaction Lab – HCIL
  • KidsTeam: Children & Adults Working as Design Partners – engaging children as technology design partners, developing real-world products. Watch the KidsTeam in action here!
  • Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland – AIM
  • Maryland Initiative for Digital Accessibility – MIDA
  • Immigration and International Information Research Alliance – i3r@UMD
  • Values-Centered Artificial Intelligence (VCAI) Initiative – VCAI
  • Social Data Science Center – SoDa
  • Campus Computing Community – 3C
  • Discover more centers and labs here.
  • Learn about HCI research happening at the INFO College by browsing our HCI news feed.
Student Community

INFO’s faculty, staff, and 3000+ students come from over 63 countries and create a welcoming and encouraging environment. 56% of students identify as male, 45% female, 1% other; 63% of students identify Asian (29%), Black (24%), White (22%), Hispanic/Latino (9%), Biracial (4%), American Indian or Alaskan Native (<1%), Pacific Islander (<1%), Unknown/Other (12%). The INFO College is committed to bringing together many perspectives to foster deeper understanding and innovation.

At UMD students can also choose from hundreds of student organizations, including INFO student organizations, service opportunities, and social activities.

Tuition / Costs

Tuition

  • In-State (Maryland resident) tuition and fees will amount to approximately $28,500 to complete 30 credit hours.
  • Out-of-State tuition and fees will amount to approximately $58,000 to complete 30 credit hours.

View our detailed breakdown of tuition & fees.

Financial Aid

The UMD INFO College provides financial aid to select current students who demonstrate academic excellence. Students may also reduce their tuition costs by serving as a TA or GA at UMD, but please note that these positions are competitive. There are also additional sources of financial aid offered by the University and by outside sources. Learn more about financial aid.

Admissions / Pre-Reqs

Application Deadline:

The deadline to apply to the Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction (HCIM) program is January 6, 2025 for admission to the following Fall (August) semester. A new cohort starts each Fall. We do not have Spring semester admissions for the HCIM program.

Application Requirements:

  • Must have earned a 4-year baccalaureate degree
  • 3.0 GPA on prior undergraduate or graduate work
  • GRE scores are optional (not required)
  • A TOEFL,  IELTS, or PTE score is required for international applicants (more information below)
  • No prior programming or computer science education is required
  • A portfolio of 3-5 pieces (PDF or online), that showcases how your skills and experience connects to human-computer interaction through the lens of art/design, the social sciences, or technology (you can learn more about the portfolio requirement in the FAQs above)

You will be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores if you do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution or from one of the English speaking countries. Please check on the list of English speaking countries and options for providing evidence of English proficiency here.

  • See the Graduate School’s English Language Proficiency Requirements for instructions on submitting scores. The University of Maryland’s TOEFL Institution Code is 5814.
  • You can find English language proficiency requirements here. Please note that your English proficiency scores (including listening, writing, reading, and speaking sub-scores) must satisfy the criteria for full enrollment to be accepted to the HCIM program. HCIM is a very rigorous program that requires an excellent command of the English language. Therefore, Bridge and Intensive English programs are not an option for applicants to the HCIM program. Please see the minimum English Proficiency Scores Requirements for full HCIM admission:
    • iBT TOEFL: Total 96 (Speaking 22, Listening 24, Reading 26, Writing 24)
    • IELTS: Overall 7 (Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7, Speaking 6.5)
    • PTE: Total: 68 (Writing 68)

For international students: The Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction (HCIM) program is a STEM-OPT certified program. This meets F1 Visa STEM requirements.

More About HCIM Admissions

Meet HCIM Alumni

HCIM graduate Matthew Alexander
Matthew Alexander, HCIM ’22
Product Designer,
Cisco Meraki

HCIM alumni Sparsh Paliwal
Sparsh Paliwal, HCIM ’23
Product Designer,
Adobe

 

Connect With Program Team   Apply Now

 Masters Home

Recent News

Panorama shot of front-end developer team brainstorming UI and UX designs for mobile app on paper wireframe interface. User interface development team planning for user-friendly UI design.

Photo licensed by Adobe Stock via InfiniteFlow

INFO Students Partner with Nonprofit to Overhaul Accessibility and Make a Bigger Impact

June 16, 2025 | Laurie Robinson

HCIM students gain real-world UX design experience working with the American Occupational Therapy Foundation on a website redesign

More News

Upcoming Events

Sep 10 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 - 6:00 pm
To: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 - 1:00 pm
May 01 Friday, May 1, 2026 - 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
More Events