HCI FAQ

1.     How do I apply to the MS or PhD programs?

Answer: The HCI Graduate program has a pre-application process that we ask students to go through before they apply to the Graduate College. No costs are associated with the pre-application process. The online pre-application form can be found at:

·          https://www.hci.iastate.edu/Apply/preapp.php .

After the form is filled out and submitted, we ask that you email your resume to gradapp@iastate.edu. Your references should also email their letters of recommendation to gradapp@iastate.edu. If you are applying to the PhD program, we ask that an e-portfolio demonstrating potential for research is also sent to gradapp@iastate.edu.

Links:

·         How to Apply

 

2.     How do I apply to the HCI Online MS program or the HCI Graduate Certificate Program?

Answer: Students applying to the HCI Online MS program or the HCI Graduate Certificate Program will fill out the Application for Graduate Admission to ISU form at:

·          http://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/forms/forms.html

You will also send application materials to both the Office of Admissions and to the HCI program. Please send the application, application fee, official transcripts and official examination results to The Office of Graduate Admissions, Iowa State University, 100 Alumni Hall, Ames, IA 50011. Please email a copy of your resume, statement of professional goals, statement of software development proficiency, and three letters of recommendation to the HCI program at pshill@iastate.edu.

 

3.     Should I send any pre-application materials to you in the mail?

Answer: We prefer to receive your pre-application materials electronically by email, but we will also accept application materials through the mail. It is not necessary to send them both by email and in the mail.

 

4.     Is the GRE required?

Answer: The GRE is required of students who have earned their undergraduate degree from an international institution only. It is not required of students who have earned their undergraduate degree from a US institution.

 

5.     Must I have an MS degree before I apply to the PhD program?

Answer: It is not required that students have an MS degree before they apply to the PhD program.

 

6.     Can I transfer credits into your program from another institution?

Answer: At the discretion of the POS committee, and with the approval of the program and the Graduate College, graduate credits earned as a graduate student at another institution or through a distance education program offered by another institution may be transferred if the grade was B or better. A maximum of 8 credits may be transferred into an MS program. A maximum of 36 credits may be transferred into a PhD program.

 

7.     How much time does it take to complete the programs?

Answer: It typically takes a traditional student 2 years to complete the MS program and an additional 3 years to complete the PhD. Because students in the Online MS program are working professionals taking courses on a part-time basis, it can vary greatly on the length of time to complete the Online MS program.  The Graduate College gives students up to five years to complete the program, but most are finished in approximately 3 years. The HCI Graduate Certificate can be completed in two, three or four semesters, depending on the number of courses taken each semester.

 

8.     What are the institutional or departmental codes to use if I want my GRE or TOEFL scores sent to your program?

Answer: If you would like to have your GRE or TOEFL scores sent directly to Iowa State University, please use the ISU code of 6306. Our program will receive the scores sent to ISU.

 

9.     What is a graduate assistantship?

Answer: One requirement for admission to the PhD and MS programs on campus is securing a graduate assistantship. A half-time graduate assistantship will require that you work for your major professor for 20 hours per week in exchange for a stipend. In addition, students with a graduate assistantship are also eligible for a tuition scholarship and health insurance benefits. MS students on a graduate assistantship receive a 50% tuition scholarship. PhD students on a graduate assistantship receive a 100% tuition scholarship.

Links:

·         http://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/common/finance/assistantships.php

 

10. Are there other resources that can help answer some of my questions?

Answer: Please refer to the HCI Handbook for specific program information. The Graduate College Handbook will give you general information about graduate programs.

Links:

·         Graduate College Handbook

·         HCI Handbook

 

11. What are the application deadlines for the HCI Online MS and HCI Graduate Certificate Programs?

Answer: Applications to the HCI Online MS and HCI Graduate Certificate program are accepted throughout the year. You will want to submit your application materials by the following dates so that we have enough time to process the application. There may be some flexibility in these deadlines. Fall Admission: June 1; Spring Admission: November 1; Summer Admission: March 1.

  

12. Can I still apply to the program if I do not have programming skills?

Answer: Students may still apply to the program if they do not have programming skills. These skills can be developed after the student has been admitted to the program and will be demonstrated by successfully completing one of the implementation courses listed below.

·         HCI 575 Computational Perception: This course requires that a student have a background in C++ programming language

·         HCI 574 Computational Implementation and Prototyping: This course will teach Python programming and does not require a background in programming.

·         HCI 573 User Interface Implementation for Web Application:  This course will teach PHP programming and does not require a background in programming.

·         CprE/ME 557 Computer Graphics and Geometric Modeling. this course requires that a student have a background in C++ programming language

If you do not have a background in a programming language, we recommend that you review some online tutorials on Python or PHP before you take one of these courses.  ISU students have access to   tutorials on Lynda.com.  Information about these tutorials can be found at:

·         http://www.it.iastate.edu/services/training  

13. What do HCI students typically do after graduation?

Answer: Our graduates have taken positions across the country as a usability engineer, software engineer, GIS Modeler, IT operations manager, game programmer, web developer, product engineer, program manager, faculty, and other positions. Some of the companies that have hired our graduates include Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Rockwell Collins, John Deere, Garmin, Saint Jude Medical Center, Raytheon, Hazen & Sawyer, Electronic Arts, and Oklahoma State University. Additional information about placement of alums can be found on the Alumni webpage at http://www.hci.iastate.edu/People/alumni.php

Links:

·         Alumni Page

 

14. What type of programming is required for admission to the program?

Answer: It is not necessary to have programming skills when you are admitted to the program. These skills can be developed after the student has been admitted to the program and will be demonstrated by successfully completing one of the implementation courses.

·         HCI 575 Computational Perception: This course requires that a student have a background in C++ programming language

·         HCI 574 Computational Implementation and Prototyping: This course will teach Python programming and does not require a background in programming.

·         HCI 573 User Interface Implementation for Web Application:  This course will teach PHP programming and does not require a background in programming.

·         CprE/ME 557 Computer Graphics and Geometric Modeling. this course requires that a student have a background in C++ programming language

If you do not have a background in a programming language, we recommend that you review some online tutorials on Python or PHP before you take one of these courses.  ISU students have access to   tutorials on Lynda.com.  Information about these tutorials can be found at:

·          http://www.it.iastate.edu/services/training 

 

 

15. What are the admission requirements for the MS and PhD programs?

Answer: Admission into the HCI MS and PhD program depends on a combination of your academic qualifications, area of interest, research specialties, and the current research needs of the faculty. Evidence of creative talent, the ability to speak and write English clearly, and promise for a successful career are also important considerations for entry into the HCI Graduate program. Specific admissions requirements include:

·         3.0 GPA or better.

·         The demonstrated ability to write software competently. This requirement can be met during your course of study in the program.

·         A minimum TOEFL score of 95(iBT), or 587(PBT) for non-native English Speakers.

·         GRE for international students only.

·         Transcripts, test scores, and other indicators that the student applicant can be successful at the graduate level.

·         Eportfolio for PhD applicants demonstrating the student's potential for research.

Meeting or exceeding these guidelines does not guarantee admission. An HCI faculty member must agree to work with and support you as a major professor. Your complete file is made available for members of the HCI faculty to review.

Links:

·         Admission Requirements

 

16. What are the admission requirements for the Online MS and Graduate Certificate Programs?

Answer: The HCI Online MS program and HCI Graduate Certificate programs are 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 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 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.

Admission into the certificate program does not guarantee admission into the masters or doctoral programs. If a student who receives a certificate wishes to obtain admission into the masters or doctoral programs, the student will need to apply for admission and gain acceptance into the programs by meeting the admission requirements of these programs. Credits earned towards the certificate may be counted towards the masters and doctoral degree requirements if approved by the student's program of study committee.

 

17. Is there an online MS program?

Answer: Yes, the HCI Online MS program began accepting students in the Fall of 2008. Students in this program take 27 course credits plus a three-credit capstone course. An oral presentation is required for the capstone course. These credits may be earned online. The diploma and transcripts for students earning the Online MS degree state that the student earned their Master of Science in Human Computer Interaction. It does not state "online" on your diploma or transcript.

 

18. What is the eportfolio that is required for admission to the PhD program?

Answer: The eportfolio is an electronic collection of documents that demonstrates your potential for research. Most eportfolios are contained on a website, with links to the documents you want to show. Your eportfolio should include documents to demonstrate your potential for research. You might want to include any research projects that you have been part of in the past. Or you might include a problem that you encountered on the job that you used creativity to solve. Some students include examples of code that they created, as well. You may also want to include any writing samples or publications you may have had and any papers or posters from any conferences you may have attended and presented at. Any information that you can include that will supplement your other application materials will be helpful.

 

19. When will I be notified of my application status?

Answer: Students will be notified by email when their completed application package has been sent to the three faculty members listed in their pre-application. If you feel that you can add value to this process by contacting the faculty member directly with additional information about yourself, please feel free to do so. Applications are made available to all HCI faculty for review. If a faculty member is found that will support the student both financially with a graduate assistantship and programatically by serving as the student's major professor, the student will then be invited to apply to the ISU Graduate College for formal admission to the university. Students may contact Pam Shill at pshill@iastate.edu at any time throughout this process for an update on their admission status.

 

20. How do I apply to the HCI Graduate Certificate program?

Answer: Students applying to the HCI Graduate Certificate program will fill out the Application for Graduate Admission to ISU form at:

·         http://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/forms/forms.html

You will also send application materials to both the Office of Admissions and to the HCI program. Please send the application, application fee, official transcripts and official examination results to The Office of Graduate Admissions, Iowa State University, 100 Alumni Hall, Ames, IA 50011. Please email your resume, statement of professional goals, statement of software development proficiency, and three letters of recommendation to the HCI program at pshill@iastate.edu.

Links:

·         Applying to Certificate Program

 

21. Are my references required to use the recommendation letter template?

Answer: The suggested template is not required for letters of reference. The template gives persons writing reference letters some idea of the type of information that we find helpful about a potential student. They may write a letter without using the template, if that is easier for them. Letters of recommendation may be sent to us via email. The template for letters of recommendation can be found at

·         http://hci.iastate.edu/Academics/docs/Applicant_Recommendation_Form.doc.

 

22. What is the cost of one online course in the Online MS degree program?

Answer: Off-campus students enrolled in the HCI Online MS program and taking online courses are assessed in-state engineering tuition, plus a distance education fee and a computer fee. The cost of one three-credit online course in the Spring of 2013 is approximately $1902.50. More information about tuition and fees for online courses can be found at:

·            http://www.distance.iastate.edu/information/costs.php 

Tuition and fees are subject to change.

 

23. What is the cost of one online course in the HCI Graduate Certificate program?

Answer:  Off- campus students taking online courses and enrolled in the HCI Graduate Certificate program are assessed in-state tuition plus a distance education fee and a computer fee. The cost of one three- credit online course in the Spring 2013 is approximately $1639. More information about tuition and fees for online courses can be found at:

 http://www.distance.iastate.edu/information/costs.php . 

Tuition and fees are subject to change.