If you’re in our B.S. in Informatics program, good news: you can apply for our 4+1 M.S. program and earn both the B.S. and a Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction Design in just five years, increasing your expertise and your earning potential.
A five-year B.S./M.S. program
How it works
The program is designed so that highly motivated students can earn a master's degree in just one additional year. To do that, you'll take six graduate-level courses while you're still classified as an undergraduate. You need to request permission from your advisor. You can start your graduate coursework as early as your junior year if you are admitted into the 4+1 as a sophomore.
You'll be classified as an undergraduate through the last semester you are enrolled in undergrad requirements. You have to complete an additional 18 hours of coursework while classified as a grad student.
Costs
For the semesters you are in graduate status, you will pay the same tuition and fees as other M.S. students.
Undergraduate scholarships and funding
Transitioning to graduate student status may affect any undergrad scholarships or other funding you have. Make sure to check on this and plan for it.
When you'll get your degrees
Degrees are awarded separately as the degree requirements have been met for each degree.
Program overview
Students in the 4+1 M.S. program will complete the requirements for both degrees; they will take at least 144 (108 BS, 12 counted towards BS and MS-HCID, 24 MS-HCID) credit hours to earn their B.S. and M.S. degrees. The 12 credits counted towards both the BS and MS-HCID will be counted towards Advanced Informatics Elective requirements for the BS and graduate requirements for the MS-HCID.
Students should consult with their graduate advisors regarding appropriate graduate-level courses. Permission to enroll in graduate-level courses must be obtained from the MS-HCID program director. A student pursuing the MS-HCID degree would generally take MS program core courses with the graduate cohort they admit alongside. For instance, students would take I541 Introduction to HCI/d, I542 Foundations of HCI, and I543 Interaction Design Methods, and I590 HCI/d Studio Practice along with relevant electives in their junior and/or senior years as indicated in the sample plan of study.
Sample degree maps
Sample degree map I
(If admitted at the end of the junior year)
| Year | Courses | Credits |
| Fall (Senior) | I541 HCI/d Studio I: Introduction to HCI I542 Foundations of HCI/d I565 HCI/d Studio Practice | 9 credits for MS-HCID and 6 credits for BS |
| Spring (Senior) | I543 HCI/d Studio II: Advanced Research and Design Methods 6 cr. of MS-HCID or Specialization electives | 9 credits for MS-HCID and 6 credits for BS |
| May Graduation | B.S. Informatics | |
| Fall (Graduate) | I565 HCI/d Studio Practice 6 cr. of MS-HCID or Specialization credits | 9 credits for MS-HCID |
| Spring (Graduate) | I694 HCI/d Independent Capstone 6 cr. of MS-HCID or Specialization electives | 9 credits for MS-HCID |
| May Graduation | MS-HCID Graduation |
Sample degree map II
(If admitted at the end of the sophomore year)
| Year | Courses | Credits |
| Fall (Junior) | I541 HCI/d Studio I: Introduction to HCI | 6 credits for MS-HCID and 3 credits for BS |
| Spring (Junior) | I543 HCI/d Studio II: Advanced Research and Design Methods | 6 credits for MS-HCID and 3 credits for BS |
| Fall (Senior) | I542 Foundations of HCI/d I565 HCI/d Studio Practice | 6 credits for MS-HCID and BS |
| Spring (Senior) | Approved Graduate Electives (6 credits) | 6 credits for MS-HCID |
| May Graduation | B.S. Informatics Graduation | |
| Fall (Graduate) | I565 HCI/d Studio Practice 6 cr. of MS-HCID or Specialization electives | 9 credits for MS-HCID |
| Spring (Graduate) | I694 HCI/d Independent Capstone 6 cr. of MS-HCID or Specialization electives | 9 credits for MS-HCID |
| May Graduation | MS-HCID Graduation |
Ready to get started?
- Talk to your advisor as early as possible to make sure you’re on the right path.
- You can apply to the program after you complete 12 credit hours towards an informatics major or minor.
- Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in your major and program.