Master of Science in Human-Centered Computing (HCC)
The MS program in Human-Centered Computing (HCC) is interdisciplinary in nature, building on significant strengths within the Information Systems Department and incorporating coursework from both the Visual Arts and Psychology Departments. Human-Centered Computing focuses on the design, implementation, and evaluation of interactive information technology systems that are both usable and accessible. Most fundamentally, the goal of Human-Centered Computing is an understanding of how humans interact with information technologies and to use this information to improve the lives of those individuals
Students may be admitted to the program in either the Fall or Spring semesters. The MS program requires satisfactorily completing 30 credits (10, 3-hour courses) at the graduate level. The deadlines for the MS Program are June 1 for Fall and November 1 for Spring. All application materials must be on file in the IS department, by the stated deadlines, for expeditious review - incomplete files will be kept open for the following semester admission decisions.
To apply online:
Complete the UMBC on-line Application.
MS in HCC degree requirements:
The HCC MS builds on an understanding of design, computing, and people. Successful applicants will have demonstrated aptitude and/or interest in one or more of these areas as well as a clear interest in the others.Academic Admission Requirements:
- The majority of successful applicants have an undergraduate GPA well above 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
- All applicants are expected to read, speak, write, and understand the English language fluently. Those whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable combined TOEFL score is 550 (written) or 79 (Internet based). Students who have received post-secondary degrees from an U.S. institution and whose native language is not English may be required to demonstrate proficiency in English. (The TOEFL code for UMBC is 5835. The Information Systems Department does not have a designated code.)
- GREs are not required for the MS Program.
MS Degree Requirements:
Core Courses (15 credits)
- IS 613 - Graphical User Interface Design & Implementation
- IS 629 - Human Factors in Information Systems
- IS 636 - Structured Systems Analysis and Design
- IS 729 - Human-Centered Computer
- IS 760 - Human-Computer Interaction
Electives (15 credits)
- The following courses are examples, other courses can be taken as electives with permission from your adviser.
- IS 698 - Special Topics
- IS 706 - Interfaces for Information Visualization and Retrieval
- IS 728 - On-Line Communities
- IS 731 - Electronic Commerce
- IS 765 - Project Management
- HCC 710 - Graphic Design for Interactive Systems
(Representative topics would include computer supported collaborative work, speech interfaces, social informatics, as well as other topics that would be relevant to the program)
Additional Details:
- Each MS student is assigned a faculty advisor when admitted to the program.
- Graduate students may take no more than 3 classes per semester without prior permission from their advisor and the Graduate Program Director.
- MS students must maintain a B average, (i.e., 3.0 GPA).
- Graduate students may be recommended for dismissal after earning 3 Cs, 1 D or 1 F in any graduate level course.
- MS students may not count courses that are audited as part of the MS program and may not take courses under the Pass/Fail option.
- All graduate students should consult the University Graduate School Catalog, which contains the University's regulations and procedures for earning degrees.
- MS students who graduated from the IS BS program must substitute an additional elective for IS 636.
- If you took any cross listed courses, you cannot take the course at the graduate level for credit towards your degree.
- MS students may take ONE independent study. In order for a MS student to take an independent study course, the student must submit in writing to the IS department an abstract of the course of study. The student must have the written permission of the IS department before the student registers for credit.
If you need any further information, please contact Shannon Keegan (keegan@umbc.edu).