Admissions
Application Deadline
Applications for Fall 2024 are open as of October 1, 2023.
The deadline to apply is January 15 , 2024, 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time.
Countdown to deadline:
Details on coming Admissions Info Sessions will be posted by October on the How To Learn More page.
Admission Requirements
The following are the minimum admission requirements for the Master of Human-Computer Interaction and Design (MHCI+D) program as set by the University of Washington Graduate School and the MHCI+D Program.
Hold the minimum equivalent of a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or its equivalent from a foreign institution. A 3-year bachelor’s degree alone does not satisfy this requirement unless it meets one of the following criteria:
- A 3-year Bologna bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 180 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits.
- A 3-year bachelor’s combined with either conferral of a master’s degree, or with conferral of a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD, 1-year minimum, full-time).
The UW does not accept WES evaluations of 4-year equivalency as sufficient to satisfy this requirement.
Have earned at least a 3.0 or B grade-point-average when converted into the 4.0 scale. Applicants may use:
- The most recent 2 years of study (or the equivalent of 2 full-time years, usually the last graded 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits);
- The overall GPA for the entire course of study;
- or the GPA for all courses in the applicant's major
Tools for converting from a different grading system are linked in the FAQ page.
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency which exceeds the minimum defined by the Graduate School .
Applicants must meet the requirement using one of the following methods:
- A bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an institution in the United States, Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom where English is the medium of instruction. While enrolled at the degree-granting school, the student must be in residence on campus.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a country not listed above with verification that the language of instruction was entirely in English.
- TOEFL Scores: TOEFL iBT: 106, with a speaking subscore of at least 26. Scores must be less than two years old at the application deadline. Scores must be sent directly to the UW by the Educational Testing Service using institution code 4854; if a department code is required, select 99. We accept MyBest TOEFL composite scores as a means of meeting these requirements.
- IELTS scores: IELTS: 7.5, with a speaking module score of at least 8.0. Scores must be less than two years old at the application deadline. Scores must be sent directly to the UW.
- DUOLINGO scores: Minimum score of 125. . Scores must be less than two years old at the application deadline.
Required Application Materials
In 500–800 words, please describe your unique interest in HCI and design, and explain what specific elements of the UW MHCI+D Program are aligned with your needs as an emerging HCI+D leader. Why this year? How have your prior experiences (professional experience, life experience, and/or previous studies) prepared you for this program and this field? How will this program assist you in your longer-term goals?
The personal statement is your opportunity to present your goals and experience as they relate to human-computer interaction and design. We’re interested in how you see the field and this program from your own personal perspective.Applicants must submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) showing their educational and professional experience. Relevant volunteer and leadership experiences may also be included.
This document provides a summary of your educational and professional activities. It shows a history of your most recent and most relevant education and career activities, and related volunteer work and interests.Three letters from professional or academic sources are required. These can be faculty members, mentors, supervisors and so on, but should not be from personal friends, counselors or ministers. Find references who can speak positively and in detail about your performance and about your capacity to undertake graduate studies. When asking for recommendation letters, we encourage you to ask potential recommenders if they are able to write you a strong letter and to emphasize what you hope their letter will highlight. Letters with specific examples are often the strongest. The letters should be submitted electronically and the Slate application system provides instructions. When recommender info is entered on the application, it will trigger a system message to the recommender with the specific link they need to upload their letter. Check with them to be sure they receive this. Remember to remind your letter writers that late letters may adversely affect your admission chances. You will be able to see when the letters have been submitted online by logging into your application status page.
Unofficial transcripts are required from all colleges and universities from which you earned collegiate level credit and/or a degree. These are uploaded by you, not sent from your university. These can be scanned documents or screen shots of an online 'student view' transcript many universities provide. Transcripts should include details for every course taken, including the course name, grade earned, dates taken, and number of credits. If the transcript is not in English, please include a translation. Official transcripts only need to be submitted to the UW Graduate School if you accept an admission offer.
Use this section to show us projects you have worked on that demonstrate your skills and interests. This can take the form of a design portfolio, your GitHub page, a link to research you were a part of in a research lab, or something else that demonstrates your role in an open-ended project. We are most interested in seeing your problem-solving process in the field you come from, more so than attempts to anticipate the product you might produce after completing this program. FORMAT: Please submit a one-page pdf that includes your name, a link to where we can find these supplementary materials online, and a brief explanation, if necessary. Materials can be presented on a portfolio/website, in a shared folder such as google or in other online formats. Do not submit portfolios through the application itself.
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency which exceeds the minimum defined by the Graduate School .
Applicants must meet the requirement using one of the following methods:
- A bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an institution in the United States, Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom where English is the medium of instruction. While enrolled at the degree-granting school, the student must be in residence on campus.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a country not listed above with verification that the language of instruction was entirely in English.
- TOEFL Scores: TOEFL iBT: 106, with a speaking subscore of at least 26. Scores must be less than two years old at the application deadline. Scores must be sent directly to the UW by the Educational Testing Service using institution code 4854; if a department code is required, select 99. We accept MyBest TOEFL composite scores as a means of meeting these requirements.
- IELTS scores: IELTS: 7.5, with a speaking module score of at least 8.0. OScores must be less than two years old at the application deadline. Scores must be sent directly to the UW.
- DUOLINGO scores: Minimum score of 125. . Scores must be less than two years old at the application deadline.
The $85 application fee is charged by the UW Graduate School. If you cannot afford the application fee, you can request an application fee waiver once your application materials are ready to submit and at least 7 days before the application deadline. More information here.
Application Steps
Step One: Prepare to Apply
- Learn about the MHCI+D Program. Explore the information available on this website to learn about the program and how you might succeed here. We are looking for applicants who know how their background and this program fit well together.
- Start preparing your personal statement and supplemental materials. These pieces will take the most work. Begin this early to ensure you will have time to put together a stronger case for your admission.
- Get transcripts from each college or university attended. Download unofficial transcripts or scan printed copies; you will need them for the UW Graduate School application.
- Identify people who are willing to write letters of recommendation for you. Three letters of recommendation are required to apply. Consider current or former employers or supervisors, as well as former teachers. Make sure the people you choose can judge your capacity to undertake graduate studies. You will need their email addresses for the Graduate School application.
- GPA preparation. Identify the method you will use to calculate your GPA, and the conversion you will be performing if necessary. You will be asked to report this GPA on the application form itself.
Step Two: Apply
- Once the application is available, start youronline applicationto the UW Graduate School. When you create your applicant profile, your login and password will allow you to save your application and return to it later.
- To apply to the MHCI+D program, select "Human-Computer Interaction and Design" from ther program list
- Upload all required documents
- Designate the people who have agreed to write letters of recommendation for you. Your recommenders will be sent an email with instructions directing them to a secure website to submit their letters.
- Pay the nonrefundable $85 fee
- Submit your application. After you’ve submitted your application, you cannot make further changes. You can check on its status at any time by logging into the application page.