Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Undergraduate Certificate
Improving the human-machine connection
Technology isn’t going away. And neither are the people who built it.
Help transform what can be a battle with tech into a collaboration, through the study of human-computer interaction. And do it on your terms. By earning a Human-Computer Interaction undergraduate certificate through the IU School of Informatics and Computing at IUPUI, you’ll have the option to take many classes online.
Wide-ranging expertise
Interactive technology touches every area of study. And the multidisciplinary nature of HCI means people from many different specialties contribute to its success.
If you have a passion for how people interact with computers and technology, HCI may be a good fit, whether you’re coming from a background in design, psychology, programming, or another related field.
A human-machine balance
Human-computer interaction focuses on the user experience. It’s the branch of informatics charged with developing technology that’s empowering, inherently usable, and socially relevant.
Human-centered computing draws from the human and the machine sides of the equation. Computer graphics, operating systems, and development strategies are all relevant. So are communication theory, graphic and industrial design disciplines, linguistics, social sciences, cognitive psychology, and user satisfaction.
Certificate Requirements
The Undergraduate Certificate in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a 15-credit-hour program allowing students to become certified in the fundamental theory and application of human-computer interaction.
- INFO-I 270 Introduction to HCI Principles & Practices
(May count towards the Social Sciences General Education Requirement) - INFO-I 275 Introduction to HCI Theory
(May count towards the Social Sciences General Education Requirement) - INFO-I 300 Human-Computer Interaction
- NEWM-N 450 Usability Principles for New Media Interfaces
Choose one:
- NEWM-N 328 Visualizing Information
- INFO-I 400 Topics in Informatics: Experience Design and Evaluation of Access Technologies
- INFO-I 400 Topics in Informatics: Fundamentals of Assistive Technologies
- INFO-I 467 Internet-of-Things Interface Design for Business Innovation
For any academic advising questions, please contact our advisors.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the undergraduate Human-Computer Interaction Certificate, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge in the following core competencies:
Basic Human-Computer Interaction Theory and Usability Terms, Principles and Practices
- Understanding of human-computer interaction and usability terms, concepts, principles and practices
- Problem space definition and conceptual models of interactive products
- User-centered approaches to interaction design as applied to software and the web
- User profiling, needs and requirements
- Interface design principles and processes; including related areas of visual design
- Cognitive and information processing
- Processes and life-cycles of interactive product design
- Interactive product evaluation and testing methods, both qualitative and quantitative
Ability to Understand and Demonstrate Basic Design and Evaluation of Interactive Products Up to the High Fidelity Prototype Stage
- Interactive product interface design and prototyping based on user/needs assessments
- Human-computer interaction principles and a user-centered approach to interaction design as applied to software and the Web
- Apply evaluation and usability testing methods to interactive products to validate design decisions
Getting Started
Students can seek this certificate in addition to their major or as a stand-alone certificate.
Prospective students must first be admitted to IUPUI as an undergraduate student.
Current IUPUI students should email Jill Mathews at jilmathe@iupui.edu to declare the HCI certificate.
The undergraduate HCI certificate is not currently eligible for financial aid as a stand-alone certificate.
