Human Centered Design

DESIGN MATTERS

The act of creating something new shows up in many human endeavors. It can be a solution to a mundane problem like holding sheets of paper together or something as complex as the formulation of new institutions. Human Centered Design (HCD) is focused on opportunity- and problem-finding, and problem-solving, and is charged with understanding the needs, wants, and limitations of end-users. This is accomplished through methodologies and practices where these considerations are integrated at every stage of the design process.

HCD creates novel learning and discovery opportunities that are needed to train the future professoriate, workforce, professionals and civic leaders. HCD can only be taught in a true interdisciplinary educational environment in which coursework and research embrace diversity, inclusiveness, educational breadth, and interdependence, while promoting a person- and world-oriented, rather than a product-oriented, attitude towards education. 

INTERDISCIPLINARITY MATTERS

Recent trends show that both higher education institutions and government agencies seek employees with interdisciplinary backgrounds, demonstrating strengths in more than one field, and the agility to work with colleagues across fields. To address this, our Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program (IGEP) provides opportunities for graduate students whose goals cannot be met by a single discipline from a degree granting academic unit at the university. 

"Real world problems don't fit nicely into boxes, specific fields, departments or programs," said Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Amy Pruden, who managed the program from 2015-17. "We need to have the opportunity for students so inclined to tackle these problems."

HCD at Virginia Tech provides access to both doctoral degree programs and a graduate certificate program in curricula that combine technical expertise with critical inquiry to develop reflective practitioners equipped to meet vital human needs. The HCD/IGEP program is built around competencies in four core areas: (1) Interdisciplinary Research, (2) Design Studies, (3) Understanding People, and (4) Design Realization. 

Faculty currently associated with the HCD program come from a diverse disciplinary backgrounds and include faculty from:

College of Architecture & Urban Studies

• Industrial Design
• School of Visual Art

College of Engineering

• Computer Science
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Engineering Education
• Industrial Systems Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering 

College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

• English
• Human Development
• Learning Sciences and Technology – School of Education
• Science and Technology in Society
• Music – School of Performing Arts
• Theater and Cinema – School of Performing Arts

College of Natural Resources and Environment

• Geography
• Forest Resources

Institute: Institute for Creativity, Art, and Technology (ICAT)

HCD is a part of Virginia Tech's Creativity + Innovation (C+I) transdisciplinary initiative and the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

For additional info visit the HCD website, or contact co-directors Ivica Ico Bukvic ([email protected]) or Scott McCrickard ([email protected]).

What You'll Need

Transcripts

Include a scanned copy of your college transcripts with your online application, then arrange for an official copy to be sent to us after you receive an offer of admission.

Letters of Recommendation

Check to see whether your department requires letters of recommendation from references. If so, you can include the letter writers' email addresses in your online application, or have the people you ask to write those lettes send paper copies directly to your program’s department.

Graduate School Testing Requirements

The Graduate School does not require entrance tests, but check to see whether your department requires you to submit GRE, GMAT, or subject test scores with your application. If so, have the testing agency send official scores to Virginia Tech Graduate School, code 5859. 

International students may be required to submit TOEFL scores. 

Application Fees

Degree-seeking students must include a $75 fee with their application, though check to see if you qualify for a waiver or reduced fee. All application fees are non-refundable.

Refund procedure

All application fees are non-refundable.