Course of Study: Day MS

Download a copy of the Course of Study Form.

In addition to consulting the Course of Study form, students should solicit advice their Supervisory Committee Chair while developing their Course of Study:

The course of study for the Master's Degree in HCDE consists of 41 credits. The course of study must include:

  • two courses in Theory (min. 8 cr)
  • two courses in Research Methods (min. 8 cr)
  • coursework in Society & Systems (min. 4 cr)
  • coursework in New Media Design and Applications (min. 8 cr)
  • electives (no minimum)
  • one seminar (min. 1 cr)

Students must complete the HCDE Master's Degree within three years of admission; most finish within one to two years. Students who wish to propose a Master's Thesis (HCDE 700) should consult with their adviser.

The required HCDE graduate courses include:

  • HCDE 501: Theoretical Dimensions of HCDE
  • HCDE 502: Empirical Traditions in HCDE
  • HCDE 510: Information Design
  • HCDE 516: Experimental Research Methods
  • Choose one: HCDE 505: Computer-mediated Communication; HCDE 512: International HCDE; HCDE 520: HCDE Systems
  • HCDE 521: Seminar-Current Issues in TC (may be taken two times for credit)

Other courses that fulfill requirements in the four categories (Theory, Research Methods, Society & Systems, and New Media Design & Applications) must be approved by the student's Supervisory Committee Chair. For a complete description of the four thematic areas, please click here (.pdf) . Courses may include coursework not only in engineering, but also in fields such as computer science, cognitive science, psychology, linguistics, behavioral science, as well as other disciplines at UW. For a list of possible courses that can be used to fulfill requirements in each category, please visit  Courses by Category . (Please note that registration in courses other than HCDE graduate-level courses (500-level and above) may be subject to space availability and other restrictions.)

HCDE graduate students who wish to participate in an internship need to register under HCDE 601. Before registering for these credits, graduate students need to submit a proposal to the Masters Advisor for approval. Once approved, the student needs to contact the departmental academic advisor to register for internship credits. This request must be submitted at least three weeks before the quarter the internship would take place. HCDE 601 credits will only be opened if a student plans to participate in an internship. This course, with corresponding SLN will not appear on the university Time Schedule until such a request has been made. Internship credits do not apply to the overall 41credits required for the MS in HCDE program.

View a list of non-HCDE electives that past HCDE students have found useful. A list of HCDE archives of Courses of Study from past academic years is also available.