In the department of Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE), students and faculty come together to design solutions for global challenges by tailoring technology to human needs and interests. By employing engineering approaches rooted in a broad range of disciplines, we investigate the interaction of people with technology and technical development. From user-centered design to human-computer interaction, we are designing the future. Students in HCDE build a strong foundation in designing user-experiences (UX) and -interfaces (UI), creating information visualizations, conducting usability research, designing for the web, and building web technologies. Students join research groups and collaborate with faculty to address a wide range of research and design challenges. HCDE graduates find jobs as multimedia and web developers, usability engineers, interface designers, user experience researchers, and information architects at high-tech companies.
Human Centered Design and Engineering (HCDE) undergraduate students learn design and engineering processes to solve problems through a deep understanding of people and their contexts. Students in the HCDE Bachelor of Science program graduate with an engineering degree and a strong foundation in designing user experiences and interfaces, creating information visualizations, conducting user research, designing for the web, and building web technologies. Upon graduation, students find jobs as user experience (UX) researchers and designers, multimedia and web developers, usability engineers, interface designers, and information architects at technology companies.
Engineering Undeclared Students
See section on College of Engineering Admission for additional details on Direct-to-College admission and placement process for Engineering Undeclared students. The deadline to submit a request for placement in an engineering major occurs annually on July 1.
If the number of Engineering Undeclared students requesting the major exceeds the department capacity for such students, a matching process is implemented. Factors considered include performance in prerequisite courses, quality of overall academic record, content of personal statement, applicable work or extracurricular activities, and other special circumstances as disclosed by the applicant.
Engineering Undeclared students in good standing with respect to the continuation criteria described below may request placement into an engineering major after completion of minimum requirements as specified below:
Students in good standing who do not meet the placement requirements by July 1 will be placed into a major on a conditional basis pending the completion of all placement requirements. Additional advising resources will be available to these students. See section on College of Engineering Continuation Policy for Engineering Undeclared Students for additional details.
Other Current UW Students and Transfer Students
Current UW students without Engineering Undeclared status and transfer students may apply. Admission is competitive.
Factors evaluated include performance in prerequisite courses, quality of overall academic record, demonstrated ability to handle rigorous course load, record of honors, content of personal statement, applicable work or extracurricular activities, and other special circumstances as disclosed by the applicant.
All students must make satisfactory academic progress in the major. Failure to do so results in probation, which can lead to dismissal from the major. For the complete continuation policy, contact the departmental adviser or refer to the department website.
The Bachelor of Science in HCDE prepares students with the tools and methods necessary to research, design, and build innovative products and interactive systems. Students tailor coursework to meet their academic and professional goals by selecting electives in the areas of information visualization, advanced usability and user research, human-computer interaction, physical computing, UX prototyping techniques, and user interface design. In addition to traditional coursework, students join research groups and collaborate with our world-class faculty to examine a wide range of design challenges and emerging ideas.
180 credits
General Education Requirements
Basic Skills
Areas of Inquiry
Major Requirements
82 credits
Department of Human Centered Design and Engineering Policy on Double Degrees
Students majoring in human centered design and engineering may not earn a double degree with the Bachelor of Science in Informatics degree or any of its credential options, or the Bachelor of Design degree in Interaction Design.
As of winter quarter 2024, the option credential in Data Science is no longer offered. As of autumn quarter 2023, the option credential in Human-Computer Interaction is no longer offered. Please refer to the UW Seattle General Catalog Archive for information about these option credentials.
Student Outcomes and Opportunities
The Department of Human Centered Design and Engineering prepares students to assume positions in industry, government, and non-profit organizations and to apply to graduate programs.
Of Special Note: The HCDE department is an inclusive, hitersiciplinary academic community. Students generally call their professors by their first name and have the opportunity to work individually on projects and research supervised by HCDE faculty. Undergraduate students are encouraged to work in research groups and to attend conferences and professional meetings.
An engineering degree. The program provides experience for students interested in studying the conception, design, implementation, use, evaluation, and effects of technologies. HCDE's interdisciplinary faculty hold graduate degrees from fields such as computer science, industrial engineering, information studies, design, education, English, linguistics, public policy, and technology and society studies. The faculty's research and teaching focus on six areas of study: influencing awareness, thinking, and behavior; design for emergent collaborations and organizations; low resource and underserved populations; material and embodied technologies, and ubiquitous computing; data visualization and big data; and learning in professional and technical environments. Early in the program, students may explore different topics and research areas through directed research groups and other independent projects. Goals: Prepare graduates for a career as researchers, teachers, and intellectual leaders in the discipline of HCDE Enable graduates to develop theoretical frameworks, apply investigative methods, and translate theory and research findings into technical or strategic innovations in the field of HCDE Foster development and dissemination of new knowledge in HCDE Foster development of an international, multi-cultural perspective and a diverse, inclusive student body and workforce in HCDE
Graduate degree program admission requirements vary. Please see this program's Graduate Admissions Page for specific requirements.
90 credits
The department offers a Master of Science in Human Centered Design and Engineering (MS HCDE) - an engineering degree. An evening program is offered through UW Educational Outreach, serving full time and part time students. Upon completion of the HCDE MS degree, students assume leadership roles in human-centered design and engineering in academia, industry, government, and non-profits. HCDE MS graduates are able to: Evaluate and understand human needs as a basis for designing and engineering new technologies. Master conceptual frameworks that motivate interdisciplinary research and design in HCDE. Select and critically evaluate user research methods for a variety of stakeholders and product contexts. Create visual, interactive, experience, and systems designs and prototypes. Translate organizational requirements into interface and product solutions, while accounting for all stakeholder perspectives and working ethically and collaboratively. Communicate effectively in oral, written, and visual forms, while scaling communications to audience needs and sociotechnical contexts.
Graduate degree program admission requirements vary. Please see this program's Graduate Admissions Page for specific requirements.
50 credits
50 credits