The University of Washington's Master of Science in Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) prepares its graduates for leadership roles in user experience research and design, interface design, interaction design, product design, and human-computer interaction.

HCDE Master's students solve real-world problems with our award-winning interdisciplinary faculty and students from diverse professional backgrounds. A flexible schedule allows students to attend part time or full time. Courses are offered in-person and cannot be completed online.

Curriculum

Students in the HCDE Master's program take a minimum of 48 credits, 22 of which are required core courses. The remaining 26 credits include elective courses, seminars and Directed Research Groups. Upon completion of the HCDE Master's degree, students assume leadership roles in human centered design and engineering in academia, industry, government, and non-profits.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the HCDE Master's degree, students assume leadership roles in human centered design and engineering in academia, industry, government, and non-profits.

Graduates of the HCDE Master's program are able to:

• Evaluate and understand human needs as a basis for designing and engineering new technologies.
• Create visual, interactive, experience and systems designs and prototypes.
• Master conceptual frameworks that motivate interdisciplinary research and design in human-centered design fields.
• Select and critically evaluate user research methods for a variety of stakeholders and product contexts.
• Translate organizational requirements into interface and product solutions, while accounting for all stakeholder perspectives and working ethically and collaboratively.
• Communicate effectively in oral, written, and visual forms, while scaling communications to audience needs and sociotechnical contexts.