How to get into a UX program at CMU?

In short: CMU’s flagship UX degree is the Master of Human-Computer Interaction (MHCI), a one-year, three-semester program run by the Human-Computer Interaction Institute. For the 2027-28 cohort the deadline is January 15, 2027. You apply with a short statement of purpose, a resume, three recommendations and a one-minute video essay; a portfolio is optional and the GRE is not required. Below are the details, plus what actually helps an application.

CMU or Carnegie Mellon University has a very strong goal to attract students from all over the world. There are no geographical limitations. My advice would be to choose a program in a university that fits your strengths and weaknesses. Remember, being a good UXer requires you to have other skills besides design. So, if you are coming from another background, you are in a good spot. But make sure to do a lot of research and feel the vibe of the programs.

Dealing with my own struggles of getting into CMU during my undergrad, I can easily say that one of the most useful things I learned was to identify the right person to ask. Dealing with the right person can mean anything from reaching out to someone who is already in the field to someone who has connections.

Just like any job, the more connections you have, the more successful your application will be. There are a lot of people who are very talented in UX but fail because they don’t know how to approach the right person. I’ve heard a lot of people saying they want to get into a masters program but they don’t know how to network. This is a huge part of getting into a masters program. You need to get to know someone who is already in the field or who can offer you a connection.

The best way to get to know someone like that is to get involved in the community. If you are a student and you are trying to get into a masters program, the best thing you can do is to get the UX community around you involved. There are a lot of local UX meetups and conferences that you can go to. Volunteering is also a great way to meet people outside of your own school.

If you are a student in a university, you can reach out to your school’s design club and get involved right away. I’ve seen a lot of people who are in the process of applying to a masters program and they feel like they don’t have any experience. You have an advantage of getting really close to someone who is already in the field. You can work with them or shadow them. It’s a huge opportunity to get a lot of experience and learn a lot of things.

Let’s take a look at some of the UX programs offered at CMU.

Master of Human-Computer Interaction (MHCI)

Students in the Master of Human Computer Interaction Design (HCI) program take coursework in HCI, interaction design, human factors, programming and systems design, and project management. A capstone project, likely a design project for a real client, is required. So, the program does not focus only on theory, but also on practical design.

Learn more about the program here: https://hcii.cmu.edu/academics/mhci

MHCI application requirements (2027-28 cohort)

According to the MHCI admissions page, checked in September 2026:

• Deadline: January 15, 2027, 3 p.m. Eastern.
• Statement of purpose: 500 words maximum, as a PDF.
• Resume as a PDF, and transcripts in English.
• Three letters of recommendation, submitted online by your recommenders.
• A one-minute video essay answering one of the prompts CMU provides.
• Examples of work: optional. A portfolio can help, but it is not required.
• GRE: optional.
• English test (TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo) if it applies to you, with high minimum scores, so check them early.
• Application fee: $100, with a waiver available for financial hardship.

The program runs from August to August and includes a seven-month industry capstone with an external client, and CMU describes the workload as 60+ hours a week. Plan your finances and commitments around that.

What makes an MHCI application stronger

• Show how you think, not just what you made. The statement and video are where you explain a problem you worked on, what you learned from users and what changed as a result.
• Lean on your background. MHCI teams are deliberately multidisciplinary, so engineering, psychology, business or design experience is an asset if you connect it to HCI.
• Pick recommenders who have seen you work on a team or a project, not the most senior name you know.
• If you include work samples, keep them short and focused on process and outcomes.

Accelerated Master of Human-Computer Interaction

CMU’s accelerated MHCI lets eligible students finish the same three-semester, 11-course master’s in as little as two semesters (8 months) after their undergraduate degree. It is only open to CMU undergraduates in the BS in HCI major or the HCI additional major who have completed the required HCI core courses, and they apply in the fall of their senior year (for the current cycle, by October 26, 2026).

Learn more about AMHCI: https://hcii.cmu.edu/academics/accelerated-masters

Master of Science in Learning Engineering (MSLE, formerly METALS)

The program formerly known as the Master of Educational Technology and Applied Learning Science (METALS) is now the Master of Science in Learning Engineering. It is a 16-month, four-semester program in the School of Computer Science with 6 core courses and 5 electives, and it concludes with a 2-semester, team-based capstone project for an external client. Graduates go on to work as learning engineers, educational technology designers, developers and consultants.

Learn more about the program here: https://hcii.cmu.edu/academics/msle

Master of Computational Data Science (Human-Centered Data Science Concentration)

This is one of the most valuable UX masters these days. The CMU Master of Computational Data Science program offers a concentration in Human-Centered Data Science, which looks at techniques applied to web interaction data, educational data, and other human-centered aspects of data science. The MCDS program is housed in the Language Technologies Institute (LTI) and is a collaboration of faculty from several areas of the School of Computer Science. This is for you if you are a talented UXer and also interested in data science.

Learn more about the program here: https://lti.cs.cmu.edu/academics/masters-programs/mcds.html

Master of Science in Product Management (MSPM)

Product managers lead the teams that bring new products and services to market. The MSPM program teaches students to apply design thinking and systems thinking to create new products and services that customers want. Students learn how to analyze customer needs, collaborate and communicate with cross-functional teams, and identify and manage risks and resource constraints.

Note: as of September 2026, the old MSPM website redirects to Tepper’s online AI Product Management Essentials graduate certificate, and MSPM is no longer listed on Tepper’s master’s admissions page. Check the program’s status with CMU before you plan an application.

Ph.D. in HCI

CMU’s Ph.D. program in human-computer interaction is rigorous, creative, and deeply interdisciplinary. The program blends elements of computer science, engineering, design, and psychology to train students as leaders in the field of HCI. The doctoral students engage in research from the moment they arrive, and take courses from across the computer sciences, the behavioral sciences, and the field of design. This program is ideal for those who want to pursue an academic career in research, or who want to work as an industry R&D manager, designing and developing new technologies.

Learn more about the program here: https://www.hcii.cmu.edu/academics/phd-hci

Conclusion

So, there you have it. This is not an exhaustive list of every good UX program in the world, but these are some of the most reputable programs. If you are a UXer, you have a great opportunity to build a career in a new and growing field. It is also a great time to make a switch if you are in another profession.

If you are a student looking for a place to start, I recommend you look at these programs and find the one that fits your profile. You can also look at other universities and colleges. If you are comparing schools, our list of the top grad schools for UX designers is a good next read. If you want more information about UX programs, check them out here: https://uxpickle.com/programs/