Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Undergraduate Certificate

Improving the human-machine connection

Interactive technology touches every area of study. And the multidisciplinary nature of human-computer interaction means people from many different specialties contribute to its success.

If you have a passion for how people interact with computers and technology, studying HCI may be a good fit, whether you’re coming from a background in design, psychology, programming, or another related field.

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Online

You can complete this certificate entirely online.

Financial Aid Eligible

This certificate is eligible for federal financial aid when added to a major.

Careers

Human-computer interaction focuses on the user experience. It’s the branch of informatics charged with developing technology that’s empowering, inherently usable, and socially relevant.

Human-centered computing draws from the human and the machine sides of the equation. Computer graphics, operating systems, and development strategies are all relevant. So are communication theory, graphic and industrial design disciplines, linguistics, social sciences, cognitive psychology, and user satisfaction.

The Undergraduate Certificate in Human-Computer Interaction may prepare you for such positions:

  • User experience designer
  • User interface designer
  • Information architect
  • User experience architect
  • UI/UX interactive designer/developer
  • Interaction designer
  • Web designer
  • Usability specialist

Certificate Requirements

The Undergraduate Certificate in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a 15-credit-hour program allowing students to become certified in the fundamental theory and application of human-computer interaction.

Students must earn a C- or higher in each course and maintain a 2.0 GPA to graduate.

This plan of study is subject to revision.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the undergraduate Human-Computer Interaction Certificate, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge in the following core competencies:

Basic Human-Computer Interaction Theory and Usability Terms, Principles and Practices

  • Understanding of human-computer interaction and usability terms, concepts, principles and practices
  • Problem space definition and conceptual models of interactive products
  • User-centered approaches to interaction design as applied to software and the web
  • User profiling, needs and requirements
  • Interface design principles and processes; including related areas of visual design
  • Cognitive and information processing
  • Processes and life-cycles of interactive product design
  • Interactive product evaluation and testing methods, both qualitative and quantitative

Ability to Understand and Demonstrate Basic Design and Evaluation of Interactive Products Up to the High Fidelity Prototype Stage

  • Interactive product interface design and prototyping based on user/needs assessments
  • Human-computer interaction principles and a user-centered approach to interaction design as applied to software and the Web
  • Apply evaluation and usability testing methods to interactive products to validate design decisions

Getting started

You can earn this as a stand-alone certificate, or as part of an undergraduate degree. To get started, you’ll need to be admitted to IU Indianapolis as an undergraduate student.

Current students

Contact your advisor to add this certificate to your major.

New students

You will need to apply to IU Indianapolis as an undergraduate student.