HCI/UX/Information Studies programs to choose from

[divyam]

Hi all,

I've been looking to transition into the field of User Experience Research and Design and have been fortunate to be accepted into a large number of graduate programs for Fall 2020. I had this fear that I wouldn't get in anywhere and ended up applying to a huge mix of programs that I liked, but now I have a tough decision to make.

Here are the programs I'm considering:

1. University of Washington - HCDE
2. University of Texas - Austin MSIS
3. University of Michigan MSI
4. University of Maryland HCIM
5. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities HFE

Every time I attend an admitted students day I end up liking new things about each program. I am currently leaning towards the University of Washington's HCDE program. My only reservation with HCDE is that I know the cohort is larger, mixed with full and part time students, and has mostly evening classes. I am a little worried about the social aspect and also what to do with my time during the day. I'd consider getting a job but what I'd prefer would be to complete a program quickly and get into the field, still I know Seattle is a great place to be for UX and that HCDE is the most competitive program I've been accepted into.

I was doing my own research too but I was wondering if anyone had any feedback as applicants or students on any programs that I should give more consideration to or take off my list. Any information is appreciated while I try to make the best decision! Thank you 

[Jazzboom]

Hi,

I am design based and hope to be UX/product designer.

I got into UT Austin MSIS and Parsons MS SDM. I am deciding between them.

I wonder why do yo prefer HCDE than MSIS because MSIS one of my options!

I think UT's research and elective system really appeals to me to build strong capabilities as a ux researcher or designer (with  its relatively low expected cost in Texas)

[divyam]

Thanks for your response! I was really attracted to the reputation of the HCDE program. I'm coming from a psychology background and don't have a portfolio or work samples that would get me into UX and UI and I've heard consistently that UW HCDE is a school that people look to hire from. The job placement rate and salaries for graduated students are a huge draw as well. 

I was a little wary of choosing one of the Information Studies or Information Sciences programs just because they seemed a bit more general in scope than a program that was explicitly meant for HCI or Human Centered Design, but I'm not sure how much that would actually matter. I just found out about my MSIS acceptance today and am still taking everything under consideration.

[Jazzboom]

Oh I see

HCDE is a great program! Seattle is a great hub of Tech industry too. 

Actually I am leaning to UT Austin Information Studies because data handling is one the fields that I am interested in. 

Did you get any info about scholarships from UT Austin? I didn't get one and I really can't find any info...

[Jazzboom]

9 hours ago, divyam said:

Thanks for your response! I was really attracted to the reputation of the HCDE program. I'm coming from a psychology background and don't have a portfolio or work samples that would get me into UX and UI and I've heard consistently that UW HCDE is a school that people look to hire from. The job placement rate and salaries for graduated students are a huge draw as well. 

I was a little wary of choosing one of the Information Studies or Information Sciences programs just because they seemed a bit more general in scope than a program that was explicitly meant for HCI or Human Centered Design, but I'm not sure how much that would actually matter. I just found out about my MSIS acceptance today and am still taking everything under consideration.

Oh I see

HCDE is a great program! Seattle is a great hub of Tech industry too. 

Actually I am leaning to UT Austin Information Studies because data handling is one the fields that I am interested in. 

Did you get any info about scholarships from UT Austin? I didn't get one and I really can't find any info...

[ninja_mouse]

Hi, 

I’m a computer-science graduate. I’m currently working as a technical writer with TIBCO Software Inc. I’ve always been interested in HCI so I took up a few courses and also worked on a few projects of my own. 
My day job also involves a lot of aspects that are common between HCI and Technical communication (User research, information architecture, etc.)
I’m quite confident about my liking for this field. I was wondering if my qualifications are good enough to apply to good masters university programs for HCI/HCDE/Information Sciences.