• Research Experience for Undergraduates
HCI Graduate Program
1620 Howe Hall
Ames, IA 50011
515-294-2089
Follow @isuhci
• Virtual Reality Applications Center
• Iowa State professor weighs benefit vs. risk of facial recognition technology
— ISU News Service: 05/08/2013
• MIRAGE lab mixes real and virtual to create new research opportunities
— ISU News Service: 02/14/2013
Why choose the HCI Graduate Program?
The HCI Graduate Program at Iowa State University has many advantages to its program of study. Here are a few.
Flexible Curriculum
Our program allows you to choose a flexible curriculum to fit your research interests. Three core courses are required, and then you take elective courses from a variety of disciplines. A list of just a few of the many courses that HCI students enroll in can be found at the course list.
Multidisciplinary teams and interdisciplinary collaboration
Our program provides many opportunities for students to work in multi-disciplinary teams and to collaborate across disciplines with faculty that represent more than 60 departments at the university. To see a list of HCI faculty go to the faculty page.
Financial Assistance
All of our students are required to have a half-time graduate assistantship, which includes a monthly stipend. More information about Graduate Assistantships can be found at http://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/finance/assistantships.html.
Students admitted to the MS program and receive a half-time graduate assistantship will receive a scholarship of 50 of their tuition. PhD students will receive a scholarship for 100% of their tuition.
Students with graduate assistantships receive student health care coverage free of charge and have the option to pay premiums to cover a spouse and children. More information about Health and Dental Insurance can be found at http://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/finance/healthinsurance.html.
Technological Resources
We offer some of the most advanced technological resources in the world. Our students have the opportunity to conduct research using the high tech facilities of the Virtual Reality Applications Center (VRAC), including the C6, the most immersive virtual environment in the world.
Placement after Graduation
Our graduates have been offered positions at companies such as Microsoft Corporation, Rockwell Collins, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Imvue, and EA Interactive. Many of our MA graduates have continued to further their education in a PhD program. Visit our alumni page to see the range of placement opportunities of our graduates.
Who should apply to the HCI Grad Program?
Admission into the HCI 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.
The Human Computer Interaction Graduate Program is looking for exceptional students to join our program. Specific requirements include:
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A GPA of 3.0 or better.
The ability to write software competently.
A minimum TOEFL score of 240(CBT), 95(iBT), or 587(PBT) for
non-native English speakers.
If you are interested in applying to the program, please fill out the pre-application.
Questions about the program can be directed to:
Pam Shill
Administrative Specialist
HCI Graduate Program
1620 Howe Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA
Phone: 515-294-2089
Email:
What do current students and alums say about the program?
Tom Batkiewicz really appreciates the resources available to him in the HCI program, including the faculty and the VRAC facilities.
Kevin Godby: “The HCI program appeals to me because it's at the intersection of computer science and psychology.”
Claver Hategekimana: “The PhD (HCI) program will provide me with advanced system development methodology and research skills essential for success in academia as well as on the job market.”
Lew Hill enjoyed the flexibility of the HCI program, especially the addition of a multidisciplinary user-centered focus to his research.
Jake Ingman: “I like the [HCI] program because it rides the edge of technological developments.”
Jared Knutzon chose a PhD in HCI for three primary reasons. First, he believes that the HCI field is on the cutting edge of technology. Second, he thrives in the friendly atmosphere of the program. Third, he enjoys the flexible research paths.
Ken Kopecky: “I'm in awe of all the exciting things I can learn about from people who are more than willing to share what they know.”
Michael Oren became interested in HCI because it blends both the humanities and sciences in new ways, encouraging cross-pollination of ideas.
Steven Pautz: “As technology continues to advance at an unchecked rate, the nature of our interaction with electronic devices must advance as well. Many upcoming technologies promise to revolutionize society, but no such revolution can happen without advances in user interaction. I believe Human-Computer Interaction is the key to these advancements, and that the contributions of HCI will be the keystone of the changes and improvements brought by these technologies.”
Tanasha Taylor: “The HCI program will enable me to research how to merge new technologies with assistive equipment to design new assistive technologies.”