M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction

Entry Requirements for Postgraduate Programs

Application Fees : US$ 75

1. Academic Qualifications: International students applying for postgraduate programs are required to have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution. The minimum academic requirement is often a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, which is equivalent to 60% or above.

2. English Language Proficiency: 

   • IELTS: An overall score of 6.5 or higher, with no individual band score below 6.
   • TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet-Based Test): A minimum overall score of 80 with no band less than 17.
   • PTE (Pearson Test of English): A score of 53 or higher.
   • DET (Duolingo English Test): A minimum score of 115.

DePaul University is dedicated to supporting the academic aspirations of international students. The university offers various scholarships and financial aid opportunities to help make education more accessible. 

1. International Student Scholarships: DePaul University provides merit-based scholarships to international undergraduate and graduate students. These scholarships consider academic achievements, test scores, and other criteria.

2. Global Gateway Scholarships: These scholarships are designed for undergraduate international students who transfer from specific partner institutions to DePaul. They help facilitate a smooth transition.

3. Dean's Merit-Based Scholarships: DePaul's colleges and schools offer dean's merit-based scholarships to international students within their respective programs. These scholarships recognize outstanding academic achievements and contributions.

4. Graduate Assistantships: Graduate assistantships may be available to international students pursuing master's or doctoral degrees. These assistantships offer a stipend and sometimes a tuition waiver in exchange for research or teaching assistance.

5. International Experience Scholarship: This scholarship is for undergraduate students planning to participate in study abroad programs. It provides financial support to students seeking to gain global perspectives.

6. Vincent G. Rinn Family Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to international students with financial need. It helps cover tuition costs and promote diversity within the DePaul community.

7. Donor-Funded Scholarships: DePaul University administers a range of donor-funded scholarships, some of which are available to international students. These scholarships often have specific eligibility criteria and application requirements.

8. Athletic Scholarships: DePaul offers athletic scholarships for international student-athletes who excel in various sports. These scholarships may cover tuition and related expenses.

9. External Scholarships: DePaul encourages international students to explore external scholarship opportunities, both in their home countries and in the United States.

10. Fellowship Programs: Some academic departments and schools offer fellowship programs that provide financial support to international graduate students pursuing specific areas of study.

It's important to note that scholarship availability, criteria, and application deadlines can vary among programs and departments at DePaul University.

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) program at DePaul University is a cutting-edge and interdisciplinary course designed to prepare graduates for rewarding careers at the intersection of technology and user experience. With a focus on the design and evaluation of interactive systems, this program equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving field of HCI.

1. User Experience (UX) Designer: Graduates can pursue roles as UX designers, where they leverage their skills to create intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that digital products meet the needs and expectations of users.

2. Interaction Designer: Professionals in this role focus on designing the overall interaction between users and digital systems. They work on creating seamless and engaging user experiences across various platforms, considering factors such as usability and accessibility.

3. Usability Analyst: Usability analysts evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of digital interfaces. They conduct usability testing, gather user feedback, and provide recommendations to enhance the usability and overall user satisfaction of products.

4. Information Architect: Graduates can pursue careers as information architects, organizing and structuring content to improve the overall user experience. They play a crucial role in creating logical and intuitive information pathways within digital systems.

5. User Researcher: Professionals in this role conduct user research to understand the behaviors, needs, and preferences of target users. They use qualitative and quantitative research methods to inform the design and development of digital products.

6. Human Factors Engineer: Human factors engineers focus on optimizing the interaction between humans and technology. They apply principles of psychology and engineering to enhance the design of products and systems, with a focus on safety and efficiency.

7. Virtual Reality (VR) Interaction Designer: With the growing importance of virtual reality, graduates can explore opportunities in designing interactions for VR environments. They contribute to creating immersive and user-friendly virtual experiences.

8. Augmented Reality (AR) Developer: As AR continues to gain prominence, professionals in this role develop interactions for augmented reality applications. They work on integrating digital information seamlessly into the user's physical environment.

9. Accessibility Specialist: Graduates can specialize in accessibility, ensuring that digital products are designed to be inclusive and accessible to users with diverse abilities. They focus on compliance with accessibility standards and guidelines.

10. Product Manager: Some graduates choose to transition into product management roles, where they use their HCI expertise to guide the development of technology products from conception to launch, ensuring a user-centric approach throughout the product lifecycle.