Graduate Certificate in Human-Centered Informatics — Online
Northeastern University's Graduate Certificate in Human-Centered Informatics teaches students the theories of cognitive and social psychology and the universal principles of design adopted in human-computer interaction.
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Overview
Northeastern’s Graduate Certificate in Human-Centered Informatics focuses on the design, development, and evaluation of IT systems with a particular emphasis on the relations and interactions between people and IT systems.
The curriculum for this graduate certificate begins with an emphasis on understanding the experience of the user when they interact with technology through designed interfaces. This unique academic approach makes this graduate certificate different from a software engineering program or a visual and artistic design program.
Throughout the targeted coursework, you will have an opportunity to develop the technical skills to study user experience in various IT environments - home, business, social media, healthcare - while focusing on user needs, information architecture, and design of user interfaces.
Those who graduate with the HCI certificate will be able to propose innovative or improved design solutions to real-world problems across the many industries informatics has applications in – these include healthcare, consulting, education, finance, manufacturing, and communications.
Program objectives
- Understand the analysis and design of how human beings interact with information
- Exposure to the policy, law, regulatory, and ethical accountability frameworks that information security risk managers must work within
- Be able to propose innovative or improved design solutions to real-world problems
- Develop the technical skills to study user experience in various IT environments
Unique Features
- Unique curriculum focused on human and IT interaction
- Flexible online format
Career Prospects
| Occupation | Avg. Annual Salary | Annual Growth Rate | Growth Outlook | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $93,800 | 0.82% | Steady | BLS Occupational Employment Statistics |
| Health Informatics Specialists | $101,340 | 0.83% | Steady | BLS, O*NET OnLine |
| Computer Systems Analysts | $104,750 | 0.83% | Steady | BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $103,870 | 2.73% | Growing | BLS, O*NET OnLine |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $145,080 | 3.40% | Growing | BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $169,510 | 1.36% | Growing | BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook |
Program Curriculum
For details on required courses, concentrations, and electives, please consult the current academic catalog.
Cost and Tuition
Tuition
Estimated Total Tuition
This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2025-2026 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Select programs at select campuses offer additional scholarships of up to 25% off the listed price for domestic students studying on campus. For more detailed information, please visit Student Financial Services.
For students interested in pursuing financial assistance or educational loans, additional educational costs, known as Cost of Attendance (COA) components, can be included in the calculation of aid and loan eligibility. Components may include food, housing, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional licensure. You can find comprehensive details on the Student Financial Services website. Please keep in mind that COA can vary significantly depending on academic program, enrollment intensity, and individual circumstances.
Application Deadlines
Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:
Domestic Application Guidelines
International Application Guidelines*
*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.
Related Programs
Admissions
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