COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) at DePaul University prepares students with the skills needed to design, evaluate, and improve digital systems that are both effective and user-centered. A key focus of the program is the ability to plan and conduct ethical user research with human participants, using appropriate data collection methods and analyzing results through both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Students learn how to create, justify, and critically evaluate interface designs using established HCI theories and frameworks, ensuring that their design decisions are grounded in research and best practices. The program also emphasizes hands-on development, where students build interactive prototypes that simulate real user experiences and include enough functionality to support usability testing with participants. In addition, students are trained to design and conduct usability tests for both existing products and new prototypes, allowing them to assess user experience and identify areas for improvement. These learning outcomes ensure that graduates are well-prepared to approach design challenges systematically and effectivel.The program also leads to strong career outcomes in the field of user experience (UX) and related disciplines. Graduates pursue roles such as interaction designer, information architect, user experience designer, usability specialist, and user researcher. These positions involve working on the design and evaluation of digital products and services across a wide range of industries. DePaul HCI graduates are employed at leading organizations such as Allstate, GfK, Grainger, JP Morgan Chase, Microsoft, and Motorola, reflecting the strong industry relevance and professional value of the degree. Overall, the program equips students with both the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to succeed in designing user-centered technologies in today’s digital economy.