Online Master of Science Degree Program

The Human Computer Interaction Graduate Program is proud to announce the addition of an Online HCI MS degree program beginning with the Fall 2008 semester. This degree program was created from the growing demand from business and industry for a masters program that provides education in the field of Human Computer Interaction.

Students in this program will take a total of 30 course credits, with nine of the credits coming from three core courses and three of these credits from a capstone course. Students will be required to come to campus to present the results of their capstone course.

Online MS Required Courses

Listed below are the core (required) courses for the HCI Graduate program. Additional courses may be added at the direction of the Program of Studies Committee. Sample curricula for the Masters program are shown below.

• HCI 575X - Computational Perception.
• MIS 655 - Organizational and Social Implications of Human Computer Interaction (fall course).
• Psych 521 - The Cognitive Psychology of HCI.

Note: A grade of 'B' (3.0 GPA) or better is required for each of the core HCI courses.

Course Delivery

Courses are available online through Engineering Distance Education using streaming media over the web. The courses consist of recorded lectures delivered using streaming media technology as well as teacher-student interaction via chat-room, email, and phone conversations. More information about the streaming media technology used to deliver the courses is available on the Engineering Distance Education Support page.

Tuition and Fees for Online Courses

Students taking online courses are assessed in-state tuition plus a distance education fee and a computer fee. Additional information about tuition and fees can be found on the Engineering Distance Education tuition and fees page.

Admission to the Online HCI MS Program

The Online HCI MS program is most appropriate for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a scientific, engineering, business, or artistic discipline, who are pursuing a professional career, and who already have a strong base of information technology skills.

The program requires that admitted students have undergraduate degrees from an accredited university and have graduated with a GPA that places them in the upper half of their graduating class. Demonstrable programming skills will be required. A minimum TOFEL score of 240(CBT), 95(iBT), or 587(PBT) will be required of all non-native English speaking students. Candidates may be considered for admission by the HCI supervisory committee if they do not meet all these requirements but otherwise show outstanding potential. However, all students must meet the university’s minimum requirements for admission.

Other admission requirements for the Online HCI MS program include the following:

• Transcripts, test scores and other indicators that the student applicant can be successful at the graduate level.
• 3.0 GPA.
• GRE for all international students.
• TOEFL 240 (IELTS 7.0) for non-native English speakers.
• Demonstrated ability to write software competently.
  For those who do not have the required computing background, we provide an introductory survey course, with appropriate follow-up material.

The Online HCI MS Graduate Program Application Process

• Fill out the Application for Graduate Admission to ISU form. Please mention somewhere on the form that you are interested in the HCI Online MS degree program.
• Send the application, application fee, official transcripts, and official examination results, if required, to:
   
  
  • The Office of Graduate Admissions
    Iowa State University
    100 Alumni Hall
    Ames, IA  50011
     
    
• Send your resume, a statement of professional goals, a statement of software development proficiency, and three letters of recommendation electronically to , or by mail to:
   
  
  • Attn: Pam Shill
    Human Computer Interaction Graduate Program
    Iowa State University
    1620 Howe Hall
    Ames, IA  50011
     
    A suggested template for letters of recommendation is available on the ISU admissions website.
     
    
• Contact with questions about your admission status.