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Human Computer Interaction Specialization of Study

The specialization in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) provides students with a greater level of understanding and competence in public and private sector best practices with a human-centered perspective. The specialization prepares students with a good understanding of human factors (physical, cognitive, affective, and motivational) and their implications to IT design, evaluation, use and management.

To complete the HCI specialization, students in the IM degree program must take the two required courses (*) from the list below. In addition:
  • students in the main campus IM program must then take two more courses from the list
  • students in the mid-career IM program in Washington DC must take one more course from the list
  • students in the Maxwell School MPA or MAPA graduate programs who want the HCI specialization must take IST 618: Information Policy, the two required (*) courses, plus one more from the list:
  1. IST 654* Information Systems Analysis
  2. IST 649* Human Interaction with Computers
  3. IST 553 Information Architecture for Internet Services
  4. IST 617 Motivational Aspect of Information Use
  5. IST 629 Organizational Information Security
  6. IST 641 User-Based Design
  7. IST 720 Advanced Topics in User Information Needs

Coursework targeted directly for preparation for the following HCI-related positions:
  • Human Factors and Usability Specialists
  • IT Architect/Analyst/Developer/Consultant
  • Project Consultant/Manager/Director
  • Resource Planning Consultant/Manager/Director

Core competencies expected, and often required, in HCI-related positions:
  • strong competency in aligning IT solutions with human-business-management-organization requirements;
  • competency in human-centered practices of controlling cost, schedule, performance, and risk involved in IT development;
  • strong competency in human-centered systems development lifecycle methods and management for various IT projects;
  • high proficiency in evaluating IT design for its usefulness, usability, and human-centeredness;
  • deep understanding of human characteristics (physical, cognitive, affective, motivational, behavioral) as both resources and constraints for organizational information systems development, use and management;
  • strong presentation, organizational, communication, and leadership skills;
  • understanding in implications and impacts of IT design and use on individuals, organizations, and societies.
As the number of women in the field of technology continues to increase, the ladies of the iSchool recognizd a need to capitalize on the presence and strength of women in the information management field. WIT’s goals include raising female awareness by hosting school-based events and assisting with recruiting young women into information management programs, both undergraduate and graduate. Membership is open to all iSchool women. If interested, contact staff advisor Barbara Settel for more information.
Information Management graduate students Kate Holloway and Andrew Farah stand with Mark Cuban, billionaire entrepreneur, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and CEO of HDNet at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Festival in Austin TX. The iSchool sponsors travel for students, like Farah and Holloway, looking to attend conferences, trips or presentations relevant to their areas of study.
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