A Unique Program that Provides Rich Outcomes

The Professional Master's Program (PMP) in Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) at the University of Washington fosters and advances students' knowledge and skills in the design and evaluation of information products, technologies, and user interfaces. The MS in HCDE curriculum, which comprises 48 credits, focuses on helping students refine their skills in the design, production, and evaluation of technical information. Within this curriculum, students can choose to create their own specialization through elective coursework or choose one of two formal concentrations: User-Centered Design (UCD) or Global Technology & Communication Management (GTCM). In addition to cutting-edge coursework offered in the evening, students may work in directed research groups, where they conduct research with faculty on research and real-world projects.

The program—which is designed to accommodate both full time and part time students—prepares students for leadership roles in information design, user interface design, usability testing, human-computer interaction, technical communication, and related specializations. Graduates of the program find jobs as user experience designers and architects, user researchers, content strategists and publishers, programming writers and editors, web designers, information developers, instructional designers, documentation managers, globalization managers, product and program managers, technical writers and editors, etc.

High-growth Field with Many Career Opportunities

In addition to the MS program, HCDE offers two graduate certificates. Students can choose to earn a certificate in User-Centered Design as a stand-alone credential or roll those credits into the 48-credits required for the MS degree. This four-course certificate focuses on user-centered design theories, skills, and practices, and gives students the opportunity to develop, evaluate, and test real-world user-centered design projects. As of autumn 2011, HCDE will also offer a three-course graduate certificate in Global Technology & Communication Management, which students can earn as a stand-alone credential or they may choose to roll the credits into the MS degree. HCDE MS, UCD, and GTCM students work side by side with award-winning, approachable faculty in directed research groups, often taking a leadership role in these small teams. Research topics are updated quarterly and typically include funded (e.g., NSF, NIH) projects.

UW Quality

Located in Seattle, the University of Washington routinely ranks among the best universities in the nation (US News & World Report) and has a beautiful campus in the heart of the city. HCDE is a department in the College of Engineering and benefits from the research traditions of a leading research institution. Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Boeing, Intel and other prominent corporations have offices in the Pacific Northwest, making Seattle the perfect location from which to launch an exciting career.