Human-Computer Interaction Certificate

Working professionals and students looking for a focus in human-computer interaction can benefit from completing the Graduate Certificate in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). This certificate gives students the skills and knowledge needed to work in this new environment, which includes the Web, multimedia, usability, and still-developing technologies.

Designed in cooperation with industry experts, the HCI Certificate provides those involved in the design of human-computer interactions with the knowledge and skills they will need to create new and better ways for people to communicate with and through computers.

Students complete four courses to fulfill the requirements for the HCI Certificate. All graduate credits completed successfully under this certificate program (and not used to satisfy the credit requirements of an undergraduate degree at Rensselaer) can be applied towards the completion of the M.S. in  Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). The HCI Certificate may be completed part-time, by registering for courses on a non-matriculating (non degree-seeking) basis. The Certificate may also be earned as an elective portion of the M.S. degree programs in Technical Communication or in Communication and Rhetoric, by matriculated students registering either full-time or part time.

All students must complete the following required courses:

• Foundations of HCI Usability (COMM 6740)
• Studio Design in HCI (COMM 6810)
• Two additional HCI courses from an approved list.  Courses may include Information Architecture (COMM 6620), Psychological and Social Effects of Games (COMM 6xxx), Theory and Research in Technical Communication and HCI (COMM 6480), Interactive Technology: Designing for the Future (COMM 49xx), User-Centered Design (COMM 6770), HCI Prototype Production (COMM 69xx), Interaction Design for the 21st Century (COMM 69xx), Human-Media Interaction (COMM 69xx), Hypermedia Design and Development (COMM 6740), Interface Design: Theory and Application (COMM 4690), Visual Poetics and Narrative (COMM 6XXX) and Interactive Media Design (COMM 496x/COMM 696x).

(Note: The department may, from time to time, designate other courses that fulfill requirements for the HCI Certificate.)