Admissions – Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction (HCIM)

• Complete the UMD Graduate School application (external link, opens in a new tab).  For assistance with the application, please follow the Graduate School’s Step-by-Step guide (external link, opens in a new tab).
• Pay the non-refundable application fee of $90 to the UMD Graduate School. The Graduate School waives the application fee (external link, opens in a new tab) for applicants from selected organizations and/or preparatory programs.
• Upload transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate courses at each institution you have attended.
  • Unofficial transcripts may be submitted with the application. Official transcripts will be required upon admission and enrollment. Please follow the graduate school’s instructions on submitting transcripts (external link, opens in a new tab).
  • Applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution (external link, opens in a new tab).
  • Applicants must have earned a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all prior undergraduate and graduate coursework. You might be eligible for admission and are welcome to provide more detail in your Statement of Purpose if your GPA is slightly below 3.0.
• Provide a Statement of Purpose (external link, opens in a new tab) describing your experiences and interests that will help you succeed in the program.
• Submit the names and e-mail addresses of three academic or professional references.  Letters should come from current/former faculty members, employers, or colleagues.
• Upload a current resume or CV.
• Upload a portfolio of 3-5 pieces that showcases how your skills and experience connect to human-computer interaction through the lens of art/design, the social sciences, or technology. Submit your portfolio in the form of a website link, GitHub repository, UX writing sample, or any other form in a PDF document.  Showcase your best work and highlight your process (e.g., case studies, work products such as wireframes, prototypes, code samples, research, and website designs, photography, UX writing, or other creative projects). You can learn more about the portfolio requirements in the FAQ Section.
• Maryland State Residency Information: If you are a resident of the State of Maryland or believe you qualify as one, be sure to fill out the Maryland Residency section of the Graduate Application. If you have questions about Residency Classification, please direct them to resclass@umd.edu.
• Exam Scores
  • GRE
  • Institution Code: 5814
  • Department and Major Field code for all programs at the INFO College: 4701
• GRE Requirements
• Optional for both domestic and international applicants. GRE scores are typically in the 40th percentile verbal, 60th percentile quantitative.  While you are welcome to submit your scores if you’d like, applications without scores are not disadvantaged in our review process. 
• You will be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores if you do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution or from one of the English-speaking countries. Please check the list of English-speakingcountries and options for providing evidence of English proficiency (external link, opens in a new tab).
  • Follow the Graduate School’s English Language Proficiency Requirements (external link, opens in a new tab) for instructions on submitting scores. The University of Maryland’s TOEFL Institution Code is 5814.
  • Please note that your English proficiency scores (including listening, writing, reading, and speaking sub-scores) must satisfy the criteria for full enrollment to be accepted to the HCIM program. HCIM is a very rigorous program that requires an excellent command of the English language. Therefore, Bridge and Intensive English programs are not an option for applicants to the HCIM program. 
  • Note: Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens but the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE is required.

• Please see the minimum English Proficiency Scores Requirements for full HCIM admission:
  • iBT TOEFL (taken January 20, 2026 or before): Total 96 (Speaking 22, Listening 24, Reading 26, Writing 24)
  • iBT TOEFL (taken January 21, 2026 or after): Overall 5, reading 5, listening 5, speaking 4.5, writing 5
  • IELTS: Overall 7 (Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7, Speaking 6.5)
  • PTE: Total: 68 (Writing 68)

1. Complete the UMD Graduate School application (external link, opens in a new tab).
2. Pay the application fee of $90 to the UMD Graduate School
3. Upload transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate courses at each institution you have attended.
4. Provide a Statement of Purpose (external link, opens in a new tab).
5. Submit the names and e-mail addresses of three academic or professional references (letters of recommendation).
6. Upload a current resume or CV.
7. Upload a portfolio of 3-5 pieces.
8. Provide TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores (external link, opens in a new tab) (if needed)

For best consideration, apply by January 20, 2027. The final deadline for submitting applications is March 3, 2027. A new cohort starts each Fall. We do not have Spring semester admissions for the HCIM program.

The University of Maryland (UMD) is dedicated to maintaining a vibrant international student community. The UMD office of International Student and Scholar Services (external link, opens in a new tab) (ISSS) is a valuable resource of information and assistance for prospective and current international students. International applicants are encouraged to explore the services the ISSS office offers and contact them with related questions.

The UMD Graduate School offers admission to international students based on academic information; however, it is not a guarantee of attendance. After receiving an admission decision from the graduate school, admitted international students will receive instructions about obtaining the appropriate visa to study at the University of Maryland, which will require the submission of additional documents. Please see the UMD Graduate Admissions Process for International applicants (external link, opens in a new tab) for more information.

STEM ELIGIBILITY: Our Master of Human-Computer Interaction (HCIM) program is STEM certified, enabling our students to potentially work in the U.S. for up to 24 months after graduation via the U.S. Homeland Security’s STEM OPT (external link, opens in a new tab) program.

You will be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores if you do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution or from one of the English speaking countries. Please check on the list of English speaking countries and options for providing evidence of English proficiency here.

• See the Graduate School’s English Language Proficiency Requirements (external link, opens in a new tab) for instructions on submitting scores. The University of Maryland’s TOEFL Institution Code is 5814.
• Please note that your English proficiency scores (including listening, writing, reading, and speaking sub-scores) must satisfy the criteria for full enrollment to be accepted to the HCIM program. HCIM is a very rigorous program that requires an excellent command of the English language. Therefore, Bridge and Intensive English programs are not an option for applicants to the HCIM program. Please see the minimum English Proficiency Scores Requirements for full HCIM admission below.

iBT TOEFL Requirements (Taken January 20, 2026 or before)

iBT TOEFL	Requirements for Full Enrollment
Total	96
Speaking	22
Listening	24
Reading	26
Writing	24

iBT TOEFL Requirements (Taken January 21, 2026 or after)

iBT TOEFL	Requirements for Full Enrollment
Total	5
Speaking	4.5
Listening	5
Reading	5
Writing	5

IELTS Academic Requirements

IELTS	Requirements for Full Enrollment
Overall	7
Listening	7
Reading	7
Writing	7
Speaking	6.5

 PTE Academic Requirements

PTE Requirement	Requirements for Full Enrollment
Total	68
Writing	68

Admitted students are welcome to defer their admission for up to a year. For example, students admitted to Fall 2026 can defer their admission to Fall 2027. To defer your enrollment, please log into the admission portal (external link, opens in a new tab) and declare your decision to defer PRIOR  to the beginning of the original entry semester. Otherwise, the application will be deleted.

An applicant wishing to be considered after the file has been deleted must again pay the required Graduate School application fee and re-apply for admission. The new application will be evaluated on the basis of admission standards existing at the time of reapplication.