MS in Human-Centered Design

Learn to design and manage human-centered holistic, accessible, and empathetic experiences and products.

The mission of the MS in Human-Centered Design is to develop strategic leaders by teaching theory, frameworks, and human-centered research methodologies, through the lens of storytelling and communication, to students seeking careers in experience design and research. Students may go on to hold titles like UX Researcher, UX/UI Designer, Product Manager, or Product Founder and Leader, and be able to work for existing companies or form their own. The program aims to strengthen students’ ability to lead strategic design thinking in today’s evolving landscape.

Learning Outcomes

Students completing the master’s degree program in Human-Centered Design will:

• Understand and utilize the holistic human-centered design process, through theory, frameworks, and critical analysis.
• Gain the skills required to lead and manage strategic design thinking in today’s evolving landscape.
• Develop adaptability, to both a multitude of roles and ever-changing technology.
• Implement accessibility, empathy, and storytelling into the design process.

Requirements

Students will earn 32 units over two terms, completing the master’s degree in Human-Centered Design in just one academic year.

Term One (Fall)

• COM CM 731 Human-Centered Design I (4 units)
• COM CM 732 Research Methods in User Experience Design (4 units)
• COM CM 733 Ideation and Design Thinking (2 units)
• COM CM 734 User Interface Design and Prototyping (2 units)
• 1 elective (4 units)

Term Two (Spring)

• COM CM 735 Human-Centered Design II (Capstone) (4 units)
• COM CM 736 UX Writing and Information Architecture (4 units)
• COM CM 747 Product Management & Leadership (4 units, 14 weeks) or COM CM 748 Leadership Communication (4 units)*
• 1 elective (4 units)

8 units from this list of approved electives (pending prerequisites or consent from instructor; students may have taken a similar class in their undergraduate experience):

• COM CM 500 Data Visualization
• COM CM 501 Design Strategy and Software
• COM CM 511 Design and Art Direction
• COM CM 519 Interactive Marketing Strategy
• COM CM 523 Design and Interactive Experiences
• COM CM 527 Brand Experience Marketing
• COM CM 529 Design Strategy and Software II
• COM CM 710 Media Theory
• COM CM 713 Media Law and Policy

*Only one of COM CM 747 or COM CM 748 can count toward the degree.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, in-person experience, with all students starting in September to ensure a cohesive cohort that includes students from the varied backgrounds welcome in this master’s degree program.

Admissions Information

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university to participate in this program. There are no GREs required. Applicants may come from any background.

The application must include the following:

• Online application
• Transcript(s) from all colleges and universities attended
• One letter of recommendation/reference letter
• Résumé/CV