About the programme
Georgia Tech's Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction (MS-HCI) is a four-semester interdisciplinary degree run jointly by four schools. Students enter through one of four tracks: Interactive Computing, Industrial Design, Literature, Media and Communication (LMC), or Psychology. The track sets their specialisation courses and portfolio expectations.
Everyone takes the same three core courses together in the first semester, and then adds track courses and general electives, for 36 course credits. Between the second and third semesters, students are expected to complete a summer internship in an HCI role.
In the second year, students complete a 6-credit master's project and present it to faculty coordinators from the four schools. In 2026 the University System of Georgia Board of Regents gave the programme its Teaching Excellence Award for a department or programme.
- Format
- In person in Atlanta, full-time. International students and graduate assistants must take at least 12 credits a semester, or 6 in their final semester.
- Length
- Four semesters and 36 course credits, plus a summer internship and the master's project.
- Cost
- MS-HCI is billed at a professional-programme rate. For Fall 2026, each semester costs $8,315 (in-state), $19,530 (out-of-state) or $20,096 (international), which comes to about $33,260, $78,120 or $80,384 over four semesters. Mandatory fees of $758 a semester are extra.
- Admissions
- Fall entry only, with a 1 February deadline (11:50 pm EST) and decisions usually by mid-March. You need a 1,000-word statement, three letters and a 1-2 minute video. The GRE is not required or considered. A portfolio is required for the Industrial Design and LMC tracks, encouraged for Computing and not needed for Psychology.
- Tracks
- You can apply to more than one track, but each needs its own application, and admitted students join only one. The school expects a GPA of 3.0 or higher and at least TOEFL 100 or IELTS 7.5.
- Capstone
- A 6-credit master's project in the second year (minimum grade B), presented to faculty from the four schools.
Who it suits
Suits applicants who want two years with a built-in summer internship, and who want to pick a home discipline, whether computing, design, media or psychology. People who want to finish in one year, or study part-time, should look elsewhere.
Checked against Georgia Institute of Technology’s official programme pages in October 2026.
