Human-Computer Interaction

Damian Schofield, Program Director
396 Shineman Center
315-312-4628
www.oswego.edu/hci
Human-Computer Interaction Professors

General Information

The Master of Arts degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is designed to prepare the students to pursue a career in Human-Computer Interaction, Interaction Design, Usability Engineering and User Experience Engineering.

With the increasing infusion of complex computer technology in our everyday lives, the study of human-computer interaction (HCI) has emerged as the discipline that is concerned with the study and design of computer systems for human use. As defined by the Association of Computing Machinery Special Interest Group in Computer-Human Interaction, HCI is defined as the “discipline concerned with the design, evaluation and implementation of interactive computing systems for human use and with the study of major phenomena surrounding them.” As the field requires an understanding of both the computer systems that are being designed and the capability of the people using those systems, the study of HCI is inherently interdisciplinary, combining computer science and psychology along with other disciplines including graphic design.

The Master of Arts degree in HCI provides students with the background in human abilities and computer science needed to meet the challenge in designing usable and enjoyable computer hardware and software.

Admission

The students intending to enroll in the MA in Human-Computer Interaction must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. The applicants should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The applicants should have academic training in both computer science and psychology and show evidence of successful completion of courses equivalent to Csc 212 (Principles of Computing), Csc 241 (Data Structures and Programming Techniques), Psy 280 (Analysis of Psychological Data), and Psy 290 (Research Methods in Psychology).

Applicants should submit undergraduate transcript, GRE Aptitude Examination Scores, personal statement, and three letters of references, at least two of which are from academic sources. A 500 or better GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores are required for admission.

Degree Candidacy

It is the responsibility of the student to file for degree candidacy when 12 to 18 hours of graduate study have been completed. Hours over 18 are subject to forfeiture. The graduate director will conduct a review of the candidate’s academic performance. Evidence of graduate level ability and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better is required to qualify for the awarding of degree candidacy status.

Transfer Credit

Up to six credit hours of (approved) graduate credit from another institution may be transferred.

Programs

Master of Art (MA)

Post-Baccalaureate Advanced Certificate