Double Degree Options

HCI Degree Program

The HCI Graduate Program is pleased to offer the opportunity for students to pursue a double degree between our graduate program and other programs at Iowa State University. A double degree requires fulfillment of the requirements for two graduate majors for which two differently named master’s degrees and two diplomas are granted at the same time. For double degrees with a thesis or creative component, the final project (thesis or creative component) must integrate subject area from both majors.

The HCI Graduate Program currently offers the following double degree program:

  • Industrial Design, M.I.D. & Human Computer Interaction, M.S. Graduate Double Degree

Steps to earning a double degree

  1. Click here to access the online application system.
  2. Create your account and provide your personal details (e.g., name, contact information, and address).
  3. Select your Program Study of interest (e.g., Industrial Design, MID & Human Computer Interaction, MS Graduate Double Degree) and enter your academic history, exam test scores, and recommender information. Submit your application.
  4. Return to your application to upload the required action item documents.
  5. Please see the important information below.

Important Information for a double degree

  • The major professor can either represent both majors or two co-major professors can represent each major. The student must have a major professor (HCI faculty member) before they can be admitted to the HCI Graduate Program.
  • Double degrees require at least 24 hours of non-overlapping graduate credits in each major.
  • For double degrees with a thesis or creative component, the final project (thesis or creative component) must integrate subject areas from both majors.
  • A double degree requires fulfillment of the requirements for two graduate majors for which two differently named master’s degrees and two diplomas are granted at the same time.
  • Double-degree programs are not offered online.

Individualized Double Degrees

This information is in the Graduate College Handbook, under chapter/heading 4.3.3 Double Degree Programs. If a student is interested in an individually-developed double degree program, a written proposal for a double degree to serve those interests, which must include a proposed course plan, should be submitted to the Graduate College for review. The requirements for all students who are interested in pursuing double degree programs are listed below.

  • The interested student must obtain the “Double Graduate Degree Request” form and submit it to the Graduate College for approval. 
  • Only one “Double Graduate Degree Program of Study & Committee” form needs to be submitted for the two degrees.
  • For double degrees involving a creative component, there must be at least two graduate faculty members on the double degree POS committee. For double degrees involving a thesis, there must be at least three graduate faculty members on the double degree POS committee. Such POS committees for double degrees must include co-major professors from each of the majors.
  • Although specific degree programs may require more, the program of study must include at least 48 hours of non-overlapping graduate credit (24 for each major) in the two degrees, and no less than 75% of the sum of the credits from each separate degree.
  • If one or both of the degrees has a thesis or creative component, one final oral examination must be held covering the combined thesis or creative component. One thesis is submitted to satisfy the requirements of both degrees.
  • If a thesis or non-thesis is combined with a coursework only degree, the thesis/non-thesis project should include information for both degrees.
  • One “Graduate Student Approval Form” signed by the DOGE from both programs needs to be submitted to the Graduate College.
  • All forms should clearly indicate that the student is enrolled in a double degree program.

 

HCI students have pursued these individualized double degrees:

  • Graphic Design, M.F.A. & Human Computer Interaction, M.S. Graphic Individualized Double Degree
  • Interior Design, M.A. & Human Computer Interaction, M.S. Graduate Individualized Double Degree
  • Interior Design, M.F.A. & Human Computer Interaction, M.S. Graduate Individualized Double Degree
  • Integrated Visual Arts, M.F.A. & Human Computer Interaction, M.S. Graduate Individualized Double Degree