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Same school, new name. The School of Informatics and Computing is changing its name effective January 11, 2023. Learn more about the name change

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HCI Admissions

Admission Requirements for M.S. and Ph.D.

  • A bachelor’s degree
  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
    Due to the impacts of COVID-19 on testing centers around the world, the GRE is optional for Spring and Fall 2023 MS applicants. The GRE is still required for PhD applicants.

Successful applicants for the graduate degrees in Human-Computer Interaction will have knowledge and skills (from either past education or work experience) in one or more of the following proficiency areas:

Programming

Proficiency in programming/scripting, including:

  • One or more languages (e.g., JavaScript, Java, C++, Python)
  • A basic understanding of programming methodologies, such as system design and architectures or problem and algorithm analysis
  • Other computing knowledge, such as artificial intelligence and database administration

Design

Proficiency with the principles and processes of visual communication, industrial design, digital media, or other disciplines using design theory and practice, including:

  • Knowledge and application of 3D animation and/or modeling tools
  • Design methodologies for 2D and 3D product development
  • Conceptual modeling, prototyping, and product delivery
  • Fundamental concepts of visual communication (e.g., page design/layout)
  • Design principles, typography and color theory
  • Knowledge and application of a range of digital (vector and raster) authoring tools for Web or interface design

Social Sciences

Coursework in one or more of the following areas:

  • Psychology (general, cognitive, and behavioral)
  • Sociology and anthropology (ethnography)
  • Cross-cultural psychology and communication, information management, and/or information and library science
  • Business, product strategy, management, marketing and related areas.

Application Deadlines

Degree Fall Admission Spring Admission
Master of Science and Certificates Early Action: January 15
International: March 1
Domestic: May 1		 August 1 (international)
October 1 (domestic students)
Ph.D. January 15 N/A

How to Apply

Online Application

Complete your application through the Indiana University Graduate CAS Application.  Once you log on to the application, select the Add Program tab on the top menu, and search “Human Computer Interaction.”  Select the “Human Computer Interaction MS or Informatics PhD – Human Computer Interaction specialization” program from the IUPUI heading. The Graduate Admissions Committee will not review applications until the application fee and all required materials are completed and received by the deadline indicated.  No hard copies are required for application review.

Resume and Portfolio

Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) listing your education, work experience, research, honors and awards, and computer programming experience.

In addition to an updated resume or CV, applicants should submit a portfolio of projects (a link to an online portfolio or in PDF format). Applicants also should specify in the portfolio or resume their specific role and contribution to the portfolio projects. Applicants without an HCI-related background or experience should provide samples of projects completed in related areas, academic writing, published papers, software or programs, or any other evidence of scholarship or professional artifacts. There is no set format for the submission of the portfolio. The portfolio is the opportunity for the applicant to demonstrate persuasively the skills, knowledge, and potential ability to engage and contribute in high-quality, creative projects in human-computer interaction.

Personal Statement

Submit a 500-750 word personal statement in your own words indicating

  • Why you’re applying to the program
  • Your post-graduation career plans

(The IU Writing Center provides instructions on how to write a personal statement and avoid plagiarism.)

Transcripts

Upload transcripts and/or academic documents for every institution of higher education you attended to the online application. If a transcript is not in English, upload an English translation certified by the college issuing the transcript.  We do not require hard copies of transcripts for application review. You do not need to physically mail any documents for admissions purposes.

Applicants with a bachelor’s, master’s or professional degree from a non-U.S. institution are encouraged to submit an official course-by-course transcript evaluation completed by one of the following credential evaluators:

All transcripts and/or academic documents uploaded with the online application are considered unofficial. Your unofficial transcript will be used for application review and admission. If you are admitted, you must submit your official hard copy transcripts. If you are currently finishing your bachelor’s degree, you must submit a document that certifies the awarding of the degree.

We accept official electronic transcripts submitted directly from the awarding institution.  Those transcripts can be submitted to our admissions team at LuddyGRD@iu.edu.

We do not require transcripts from Indiana University campuses.

References

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required from either academic or professional sources.  Recommendation information is submitted though the online application by the applicant and an email request will be sent automatically to the recommender on your behalf.

GRE

All Ph.D. and M.S. applicants are required to complete the GRE within the last five years. The IUPUI school code for the GRE is 1325. Enter this code on the exam’s answer sheets. You are encouraged to upload a copy of your test score results in the Documents Section (under Test Score Report upload option) on the online application.

Due to the impacts of COVID-19 on testing centers around the world, the GRE is optional for Spring and Fall 2023 MS applicants. The GRE is still required for PhD applicants.

TOEFL, Duolingo, or IELTS

Submit proof of English proficiency if your native language is not English. Minimum score required:

  • 79 TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or 6.5 IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or 125 Duolingo.
  • 100 TOEFL and 7.5 IELTS required if pursing the online Human-Computer Interaction MS from your home country.

This requirement may be waived if you are a citizen of the United States or a country where English is the official language for higher education, or if you are completing your bachelor’s or master’s degree in the United States or a country that is predominately English speaking.

Upload a copy of your test score results in the Documents section (under Test Score Report upload option) on the online application.  Test results also may be sent through ETS to IUPUI school code 1325.

Application Fee

Pay your application fee of $70 through the online application.