WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HCI PROGRAM AND THE DIGITAL MEDIA PROGRAM? CAN I APPLY TO BOTH?

The HCI program is interdisciplinary and students choose a home unit from Computer Science, Psychology, and LMC (the School of Literature, Media, and Communication, which is the home of the DM program). HCI-DM students take four courses in LMC (that is, within the Digital Media offerings). DM students are strongly recommended to take at least one course in HCI.

The Digital Media M.S. program (formerly known as IDT) emphasizes the representational aspects of the digital medium, seeing it as part of the traditions of representation that include books, theater, film, graphic and fine arts. 

HCI emphasizes the computer engineering and empirical psychology aspects of design, such as usability, user testing, and system design. Applicants to HCI-DM must submit the same Statement of Purpose and portfolio as applicants to the DM M.S. 

It is permissible to apply to both programs, but it requires two separate complete applications since the applications are screened and processed differently.