Go Beyond the Core. Develop Deep Expertise.

The Master of Human-Computer Interaction – Advanced Study (MHCI-AS) is designed for students who want to build upon the breadth of the MHCI with an additional semester of specialized coursework, faculty mentorship, and research or innovation experience.

While the MHCI prepares students to shape the future of technology through interdisciplinary practice, the Advanced Study option provides the time and flexibility to develop expertise in a specific domain, engage in sustained research, work on an entrepreneurial project, or prepare for advanced technical, research, and innovation-focused careers.

About the MHCI Advanced Study Program

The MHCI Advanced Study program builds on the HCII's flagship MHCI curriculum by extending the program another semester, for a total of four semesters. Students complete the same core curriculum and a seven-month industry Capstone, then spend an additional semester pursuing an individualized plan of advanced study through specialized electives, independent study, and/or research in one of Carnegie Mellon's many research laboratories and centers. 

Working closely with faculty and their academic advisor, each student develops a personalized learning plan aligned with their career aspirations and technical interests. The Advanced Study program requires students to complete a minimum of 192 credits.  

Build Your Expertise

The additional semester allows students to pursue sustained work in emerging and specialized areas of Human-Computer Interaction, such as:

  • Human-AI Interaction 
  • Human-Robot Interaction
  • Responsible AI and Technology Policy
  • Healthcare Technologies
  • Accessibility and Inclusive Design
  • Physical Computing and Interactive Devices
  • Extended Reality Technologies
  • Data Visualization and Interactive Data Science
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Students are also encouraged to explore interdisciplinary opportunities across Carnegie Mellon University to create a specialization that reflects their unique interests and career goals.

Learn Through Research and Innovation

A defining feature of the Advanced Study program is the opportunity to engage in sustained work with the HCII faculty through independent study or participation in one of the department’s research labs and centers.

The program provides opportunities to contribute to ongoing research initiatives, develop advanced prototypes, produce technical documentation and academic papers, and pursue work suitable for dissemination in research or industry R&D environments.

Designed for Career Growth

The MHCI Advanced Study is ideal for students who want to:

  • Develop deep expertise in a specialized HCI domain.
  • Prepare for research and innovation roles in industry.
  • Build advanced technical or research skills.
  • Make a significant career transition into a new technology domain.
  • Gain research experience before pursuing future doctoral study.

This program is not a pathway to the HCII Ph.D. program. Students interested in doctoral study benefit from the additional opportunity to conduct sustained research, but admission to the HCII Ph.D. program remains a separate and independent process.