FAQ

About the Department and HCDE
Q: What is human centered design?
A: The goal of the Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering is to make technologies more useful and meaningful, and to make scientific information more accessible. Human-centered designers are often involved in the very beginning stages of a product's design, through its development, and to its final testing for usability and user support.


About the Undergraduate Program (BS in HCDE)
Q: I'm in high school. What courses should I be taking?
A: HCDE is an interdisciplinary program and as such almost any combination of high school coursework will work for prospective HCDE students. Our admissions committee is interested in strong written abilities as well as a mix of math and sciences. High school students are encouraged to take upper-division composition, math, and science classes. Computer application or programming courses are also be helpful.

About Graduate Programs
Q: Can I register for a single HCDE graduate course before I am admitted to the program?
A: Yes. Visit Single Course Enrollment for more information.

Q: How strict is the required 3.0 GPA for admission purposes?
A: The HCDE admissions committee takes all application materials into consideration. If your undergraduate GPA is below the required 3.0, then the admissions committee will look at your other admission materials for evidence of success in our graduate program. If the HCDE admissions committee wants to admit an applicant with a GPA below 3.0, then they must petition the UW Graduate School.

Q: What is the average GRE score of admitted students?
A: The HCDE department does not keep statistics on GRE scores for admitted students. However, the HCDE admissions committee is most interested in the Verbal score of the GRE general test; applicants should aim for a score of about 600 on this section.

Q: Will you accept GRE scores that are more than five years old?
A: No. If your GRE scores are more than five years old, you should plan to retake the GRE. Check www.gre.org for registration information.

Q: Will you accept TOEFL scores that are more than two years old?
A: No. If your TOEFL scores are more than two years old, you should plan to retake the TOEFL. Check www.ets.org for registration information.

Q: Will you accept other English tests other than TOEFL?
A: University of Washington requires international students take either TOEFL or MLT (Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency).

Q: Do international students need to take GRE?
A: Yes, all international students who want to study in our Master's or PhD program must take the GRE.

Q: Can I substitute the GMAT for the GRE?
A: No.

Q: If I start in the Master's program, can I still pursue a PhD in HCDE?
A: Yes. Much of the core curriculum for our Master's and Doctoral programs is the same, so transitioning to the PhD from the MS program is quite natural.

Q: What is the best undergraduate major to have in order to be accepted?
A: Because Human Centered Design & Engineering is interdisciplinary, the HCDE admissions committee admits students from all types of undergraduate backgrounds.

Q: What is the difference between the day Master's program and the evening Master's program?
A: The evening Master's program began in Autumn 2000 and in many respects is a mirror image of the day Master's program. The curricula for both programs are nearly identical. The same faculty teach for both the day and evening Master's programs. The number of credits required and the degree completion options are the same in both programs. There are three main differences between the day and evening HCDE Master's programs:

  1. The day Master's is state-supported, whereas the evening Master's is self-sustaining; therefore, there is a cost differential.
  2. The evening program holds classes in the evening and the day program holds classes in the daytime.
  3. Because the evening program is not state-supported, evening students wishing to take day courses in HCDE or a separate program must get permission of their advisor and the instructor of the course they wish to take. Evening students will pay evening tuition for the day course.
  4. Day students wishing to take an evening course also need permission of their advisor and the instructor. Day students will pay evening tuition for any evening course they take. 

The tuition for the evening Master's program is approximately $475/credit (for Washington State Residents and non-residents). The day Master's tuition is approximately $313/credit for Washington State Residents and $740/credit for non-residents.

Q: If I am in the day Master's program, can I take evening Master's classes (or vise-versa)?
A: No. Even though the day Master's and evening Master's are similar in many ways, the two programs are different from an administrative viewpoint. Because of this, only evening students are permitted to take evening classes and only day students are permitted to take daytime classes only. Applicants should apply to the program that they plan to graduate from.

About Campus Life
Q: Where do students normally live?
A: Students have a variety of housing choices. Some students apply for on-campus apartments; most students live off-campus, in areas such as University District, Capital Hill, or Lake Union. Please check hfs.washington.edu for more information.

Q: Is it safe to live near UW and Seattle in general?
A: Yes, the University District (where UW is located) is safe and provides a great academic atmosphere to students. Also, the area is patrolled by two police forces: the University of Washington Police and the Seattle Police.

Q: How about Seattle's transportation?
A: Seattle's public transportation system mostly consists of buses. Many students take the bus to get where they want to go around Seattle, and many use the bus to commute to campus. Students can use their UPASS sticker, affixed to their Husky Card, on any bus route. Please check the UPASS site for more information.

Q: What kinds of entertainment are available near UW?
A: The University District is a multi-cultural community. There are several shopping centers, theaters, restaurants, and other fun activities near UW. Try visiting University Way, Northgate Mall, and University Village for sources of entertainment.

Q: Are there many recreational and sports resources at UW?
A: The UW has advanced recreational and sports facilities. Located beside Lake Washington, UW provides a fitness center (IMA), intramural sports, a golf range, club sports, and water sports at the Waterfront Activities Center (WAC). The IMA is free for all registered students.

Q: What health care facilities are there for students?
A: There are plenty of medical resources available for students. The closest medical centers are Hall Health Center, UW Medical Center, and Sports Medicine Center. Many services are free for students. Please check UW Medicine for complete coverage of UW medical resources.

About Logistics
Q: Where is the HCDE Department located?
A: Our office is located in 423 Sieg Hall on the University of Washington campus.

Q: Where is the LUTE located?
A: The LUTE is also located in 423 Sieg Hall on the University of Washington campus. For more information, see the main LUTE webpage.

Q: Is the HCDE computer lab open on weekends and holidays?
A: The HCDE lab is open as long as Sieg Hall open. The hours of the lab are the same as the hours of the building as long as your card has been programmed for the card reader on the door.