Accelerated Master's

Learn more about the HCII's two different accelerated master's program options below. 

Accelerated Master of Science in Learning Engineering (AMSLE)

Learn more about student eligibility, course sequences, admissions and application info on the Accelerated Master of MSLE website. Contact the MSLE program with any questions. 
 

Accelerated Master of Human-Computer Interaction (AMHCI)

Learn more about student eligibility, course sequences, admissions and application info for the AMHCI program below. 

The HCII offers a three-semester (12-month), 11-course Master of HCI. CMU undergraduate students interested in the master's program can be admitted to the Accelerated Master of Human-Computer Interaction. AMHCI students will be able to complete the master’s degree in as little as two semesters (8 months) after completing their undergraduate degree, instead of the usual three semesters (12 months).

In order to be eligible for consideration for the Accelerated Master of Human-Computer Interaction Program, students must:

• be CMU undergraduates in the BS in HCI major or HCI additional major (HCI minors and HCI concentrations are not eligible)
• have completed the following appropriate courses
  • three HCI Core courses
    • 05-410: UCRE
    • 05-660: IxD Fundamentals *previously 05-651: IxDS1
    • 05-431: SSUI or 05-380: PAX or 05-430: PUI (no longer offered), and
  • an elective in the 400 level or above
• have completed the online application by the fall deadline, October 26, 2026 (3:00 p.m. Eastern Time), of their senior year

Accelerated Master's (AMHCI) Program Schedule

The first table below shows the standard timeline for a full-time MHCI student.

The second table describes how a student would move from their CMU undergraduate program, into, and through the master program in 2 additional semesters.

Standard Master of HCI (MHCI) Timeline

Accelerated Master of HCI (AMHCI) Timeline

Undergraduate seniors in their last semester begin the accelerated master's program by taking 05-671: HCI Project I, which is the first half of the master’s-level two-semester project course. They then take 05-672: HCI Project II in the summer. They finish the program in the fall semester by taking the 05-600: Pro Seminar and four electives. Students who already took courses as undergrads that would satisfy the master program electives must still complete at least four electives while a master student. No work from undergrad will count towards the masters requirements.

How to Apply to the Accelerated Master's (AMHCI) Program

To apply for admission to the Accelerated Master of Human-Computer Interaction program, please read the following instructions carefully and make certain that you have met all requirements when you submit your online application.

1. Online application form: Complete your online AMHCI application here.

2. Statement of purpose: Applicants are required to submit a Statement of Purpose (500 words maximum) as part of their application to the AMHCI program. Please include your name and email address in the essay and submit it as a PDF. Rather than summarizing your résumé, focus on the experiences, decisions, and lessons that have shaped your perspective and aspirations. Please address the following:

   • What impact do you hope to have through your career in Human-Computer Interaction, and what responsibility do you believe HCI practitioners have in shaping technology for society? Describe the problems you hope to solve, the people or communities you hope to serve, and why Carnegie Mellon's MHCI program is the right next step toward achieving that vision.
   • Describe an experience that fundamentally changed how you think, work, or lead. What did you learn from that experience, and how will it shape the kind of HCI practitioner and teammate you hope to become?

   Our review committee values applicants who display persistence and resilience in the face of challenge and adversity, demonstrate a commitment to ethics, show concern for others and for their community, and/or exhibit leadership in one or more endeavors.

3. Resume: Provide a complete up-to-date resume. Order the relevant work experiences chronologically with the most recent first. Clearly distinguish part-time, co-op, or intern work from full-time positions.
4. Transcripts: Upload official transcripts (from all undergraduate and graduate institutions that you have attended.)
5. Recommendation and Evaluation: These will be completed online. You are required to have three total. You may have up to five. The admissions committee wants to know about your ability to do graduate-level coursework at CMU and to work in interdisciplinary teams at a professional level. You should select letter writers who can best speak to these points. Professors who interacted with you extensively in small classes are a good choice. Employers are appropriate if they can speak to your ability to work in a group at a professional level, but letters that are simply character references will not provide good support for your application.
6. Video Essay: 
   Submit a 1-minute video essay as part of your application. This is an opportunity for the admissions committee to get to know you beyond your written application and to observe how you communicate your ideas.
   • Please appear on camera and ensure that both the video and audio are your own. The video (audio and visual) should include only you (and not a proxy). We are not evaluating video production or editing skills—a simple recording from your phone or computer is perfectly acceptable.
   • Choose one of the following prompts and respond in your video. There are no right or wrong answers—we are interested in your perspective, thought process, and ability to communicate clearly and authentically.
   • What problem in the world do you wish technology did a better job addressing, and why is it important to you?
   • When do you think technology should NOT be used to solve a problem?
   • What responsibility do people who design and build technology have to society?
   • What kind of impact do you hope your work will have ten years from now?
   • What is the most valuable lesson you've learned outside the classroom?
   • What qualities do you value most in people you collaborate with?