Jump to a section below to read our frequently asked questions:


Program & Curriculum FAQs

How many students are currently in the program?
Fall 2025 matriculation numbers: 57 MHCI with 1 continuing student.

I am a current student at CMU. Would I be eligible for the accelerated master's degree?
To be eligible to apply to the Accelerated Master of Human-Computer Interaction degree, you must be a Carnegie Mellon undergraduate student who is completing the BS in HCI or the additional major in HCI.

Does the department provide career counseling or job placement?
Carnegie Mellon has a centralized career services center called the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC). The CPDC offers a variety of career service resources for our students, including career fairs, networking and conferences within Carnegie Mellon and the School of Computer Science. The HCII also hosts HCII-specific career events, including portfolio reviews and networking events, throughout the year. Our students graduate with in-demand skills and have excellent job placement records. Interact with the alumni data by year and program on the CMU First Destination Outcomes Dashboard. 

What kind of jobs can I get with an MHCI degree and who employs HCI graduates?
MHCI graduates shape the future of technology across industry, government, healthcare, education, finance, and the nonprofit sector. They work at the intersection of people and technology, leading the design, development, evaluation, and governance of digital products, services, and AI-enabled systems.

Our alumni pursue careers as Product Managers, Product Designers, UX Researchers, UX Engineers, Software Engineers, Design Technologists, Human Factors Engineers, Accessibility Specialists, Service Designers, Policy Advisors, and founders of new ventures.

Graduates work at organizations ranging from startups and nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies and government agencies, including Amazon, Walt Disney, Apple, Bloomberg, Ford, Google, Walmart, IBM, Microsoft, NASA, JPMorgan Chase, Accenture, Meta, Riot Games, TikTok, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Honeywell, Samsung, and even the Chicago Bulls. Regardless of their role, they are prepared to collaborate across disciplines, tackle complex societal and technical challenges, and develop technology that is innovative, responsible, and centered on human needs.

The HCII is in the School of Computer Science. I do not have a strong programming background. May I still apply?
Yes! We encourage you to apply without having a strong programming background. We welcome students from many disciplines outside of computer science (e.g., design, psychology, business) Prior to starting classes in the fall, non-technical students will complete a programming requirement either by taking an external course or by completing the department's online programming course. This ensures all students, despite different backgrounds, are prepared for the technical requirements of the degree.

Will I have to take a lot of programming courses?
Once you have met the programming requirement, you will be expected to take either Programming Usable Interfaces (PUI) or Software Structures for User Interfaces (SSUI) as part of your degree requirements. The former course is intended for non-technical students, while the latter course is intended for students with a strong technical background.

May I complete the Masters of Human-Computer Interaction program online?
No, the CMU MHCI program is not available as an online degree. There is a requirement of in-person attendance for the duration of the program. 
 

Admissions FAQs

What are my chances of getting in? 
Admission to the MHCI program is highly competitive; the 2025-26 application cycle had a 23% acceptance rate. This rate varies from year to year. 

Our admissions process is holistic. We encourage applicants from nontraditional backgrounds or those whose transcripts may not fully reflect their potential to apply. Strong grades and test scores can be one indicator of academic preparation, but they are not the primary basis for admission. We seek applicants from a wide range of academic, professional, and personal backgrounds who are passionate about Human-Computer Interaction and motivated to shape the future of technology. We focus on your professional experiences, Statement of Purpose, recommendations, examples of your work, and your potential to contribute to and thrive in our collaborative learning community. 

May I apply for admission starting in the spring instead of the fall?
No, we only process admissions once a year. Applications are due in January for admission in the fall term of the same year.

I just finished my undergraduate work. Should I apply for the Master of Human-Computer Interaction program first as preparation for my Ph.D. work? 
The MHCI program is not intended to be a pathway or stepping stone to the HCII Ph.D. program. 

The MHCI is a professional master's degree designed to prepare graduates for careers shaping the future of technology through human-centered design, research, engineering, product development, and related fields. The HCII Ph.D. program, by contrast, is designed to prepare students for careers as independent researchers and academics.

If your primary goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction, we encourage you to apply directly to the HCII Ph.D. program rather than to the MHCI.

For students seeking additional research experience before pursuing doctoral study, we now offer the MHCI Advanced Study option, which provides an additional semester of advanced coursework and opportunities to work in university research labs. The MHCI Advanced Study program is designed to strengthen research experience and specialized expertise, but it is not a pathway or preferred route to admission to the HCII Ph.D. program.

If you wish to be considered for both the MHCI and HCII Ph.D. programs, you must submit separate applications to each.

If I am not accepted for the HCII Ph.D. program will I automatically be considered for admission to the MHCI program instead?
No. Because of the different educational goals of each program, their admissions processes are separate and applications are not shared between the two programs. As noted in the previous question, the two programs are designed to address different goals.

May I apply to the MHCI program and other HCII master's degrees? 
Yes, you may apply to any program, but students usually prefer one to the other. The programs have been designed to address different goals. Explore the different HCII master's degrees on our website.  

Will I be interviewed? 
Most applicants are not interviewed as part of the admissions process. Our admissions committee typically makes decisions based on the materials submitted with the application.

In some cases, we may invite an applicant to a brief interview if we need additional information or clarification. If an interview is requested, we will contact you using the email address provided in your application.

Should I visit before I apply (and will that help my chances of being admitted)?
Visiting the department before you apply does not improve one’s chances of admission. Students who have been admitted will be invited to attend a virtual Spring Open House, an event for accepted students to meet with faculty and current students, explore curriculum and be welcomed into the department. 

Do my chances of getting admitted increase if I submit my application early? 
No, all applications are reviewed as a group once the application deadline has passed. Submitting early does not increase your chances of admittance. Submitting early does ensure that your application is complete and on time for review.

I have been out of school for some time. May I submit reference letters from my employers instead of from instructors? 
Yes, you may send us letters from your employers. Applicants should ask for recommendations from people who know them and their work very well.

Do I have to submit GRE scores?
GRE scores are optional.

Should you want to provide GRE scores please note the following:

  • GRE scores are only valid and accepted for the past five years.
  • We do not require students to meet a minimum requirement for GRE scores.
  • If submitted, your GRE score will be part of a holistic reviewing of applications and considered among all materials for an applicant.

Scores should be sent directly to the HCII using Institution code, 2074; Department code, 0402. Please allow 10 business days after you have submitted your application and paid the fee to have your scores marked as received in the application.

Do I have to take the GRE Subject test?
No, applicants to the MHCI program are not required to take any GRE Subject tests.

How high do my GRE scores need to be? 
We review all materials in a student's application and consider each in assessing admission to the program. Due to our unique approach, we do not set a minimum GRE requirement for applicants. 

What are the GRE and TOEFL institution and department codes?
GRE: Institution code, 2074; Department code, 0402
TOEFL: Institution code, 4256; Department code, 78

Do I have to take the TOEFL or IELTS?
If you will be studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa, and English is not a native language for you (native language…meaning spoken at home and from birth), we are required to formally evaluate your English proficiency.

We require applicants who will be studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa, and for whom English is not a native language, to demonstrate English proficiency via one of these standardized tests: TOEFL (preferred), IELTS, or Duolingo.  We discourage the use of the "TOEFL ITP Plus for China," since speaking is not scored.

We do not issue waivers for non-native speakers of English. In particular, we do not issue waivers based on previous study at a U.S. high school, college, or university. We also do not issue waivers based on previous study at an English-language high school, college, or university outside of the United States. No amount of educational experience in English, regardless of which country it occurred in, will result in a test waiver.

Submit valid, recent scores. If as described above you are required to submit proof of English proficiency, your TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo test scores will be considered valid as follows: You will need to submit an English proficiency score no older than two years. (Scores from exams taken before Sept. 1, 2022, will not be accepted.)

What is the minimum TOEFL requirement? IELTS?
For the iBT, minimum score required is 25 on each subsection (for a total minimum score of 100.) For the Paper Based Test (PBT), a minimum score of 600 is required. For the IELTS, minimum score of 8.5 with no subscore below 8 is required. 

Do I still need to submit a TOEFL/IELTS score if I have a degree from a U.S. educational institution?
Yes, the TOEFL or IELTS is still required. Your application will NOT be considered complete without the TOEFL or IELTS test.

MHCI continues to accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) for the Admission application. The English proficiency requirement cannot be waived for any reason. 

We strongly encourage applicants to take either the TOEFL or IELTS. In cases where these are not available, it is acceptable to take the Duolingo test. 

DET Minimum Scores:

  • Conversation = 105
  • Production = 120
  • Comprehension = 125
  • Literacy = 115

What if I have taken the GMAT? 
The MHCI program does not accept the GMAT.

If I am accepted, can I defer my acceptance to the following year? 
No, students who are accepted into the MHCI program may not defer their acceptance.

I applied last year. Can you reuse my application materials? 
No, you will be required to re-submit your application for this year's application cycle.

I submitted my application. When will I hear back?
Applicants will receive an admissions decision by March 15th of that application cycle.

 

Tuition & Financial Aid FAQs

Is financial aid available?
No. The MHCI program does not offer departmental financial aid or tuition support.

A limited number of university-wide fellowships and external funding opportunities may be available to eligible students. We encourage applicants to explore Carnegie Mellon's graduate funding resources, including the Rales Fellows Program, as well as scholarships and fellowships offered by external organizations.

Because funding opportunities vary from year to year and often have separate eligibility requirements and application deadlines, students are responsible for identifying and applying for these programs.

Where can I find information on graduate student scholarships and financial aid? 
An excellent source for general information on financial aid can be found at FinAid. The Carnegie Mellon Fellowships and Scholarships Office is also available for assistance. The HUB at Carnegie Mellon has more general information on graduate student financial assistance.

Do you have a list of scholarships that students have won in the past?
No, the HCII does not keep public records of this information. 

 

Additional questions?

Please email MHCI Program Manager, Jenn McPherson.