The application cycle for Fall 2024 admissions has closed. Please read below for information on how to apply for admission to the Fall 2025 semester.
Program Overview
The Master of Human-Computer Interaction and Human Factors at Rice University is a 2-year program designed to train participants to understand fundamental human capabilities and apply this to the design and assessment of human-machine systems. The course of study includes the interplay between technology and human behavior and methodology of collection of human-performance data including statistical analysis.
MHCIHF is a full-time graduate-level terminal degree. Online courses are not offered.
Application Deadline for Fall 2025 Admission: December 1, 2024
The application will open on September 1, 2024.
Fall admissions only.
Please send all program and application questions to psyc@rice.edu.
To request an application fee waiver, please email psyc@rice.edu. Only one fee waiver per applicant will be granted.
How to Apply
Students applying for admission to our professional Master's program are asked to submit the following:
Application Form: A completed online application for admission (available at https://gradapply.rice.edu). Applications open on September 1, 2024.
Transcripts: Unofficial copies of transcripts must be uploaded electronically in the application system. If an applicant is accepted to our graduate programs, OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS must be submitted to the department in a sealed envelope, sent directly to the Department of Psychological Sciences at the following address:
Rice University Graduate Admissions
Psychological Sciences MS-25
6100 Main St.
Houston, TX 77005
We also accept official transcripts that are electronically sent directly from the granting institution and emailed to psyc@rice.edu. We cannot accept electronic transcripts directly from applicants; transcripts must be sent from the applicant’s previous institutions.
Any degree that an applicant is currently pursuing (BA, BS, MA, MS) must be conferred (completed) before submitting the transcript(s); the admitted student will not be permitted to register for the second semester at Rice without official conferral of degree and official transcripts on file.
Recommendations: Three letters of recommendation from people who are familiar with your scholastic and personal qualities. The online application will allow you to enter recommender information, and your recommenders will be emailed a URL for completing an online recommendation.
CV or Resume: An up-to-date CV or resume is required to apply.
Statement of Purpose: A 1-2 page essay that details your educational and research background. Please also include your career goals and why you would be a good fit for our program.
Writing Sample: Submit a writing sample from your past work, ideally on a topic relevant to human-computer interaction and/or human factors (e.g., class paper, honors thesis, conference submission, or journal article where you were the lone or primary author).
Recommended GRE: The General GRE taken within the last 5 years is now optional for all applicants, however, we do recommend MHCIHF applicants to take the exam.
- If you wish to submit your GRE scores, the school code for reporting your scores is 6609.
TOEFL: The Test of English as a Foreign Language is required for any student whose native language is not English, but is waived for international students who have received a degree from a university at which English is the official language of communication. The IELTS may be taken in lieu of the TOEFL. See our International Students page for additional information.
- Please note: IELTS scores can be directly reported to Rice using the name "Rice University Graduate Programs"
Fee: An $85 nonrefundable application fee paid online by credit card.
Further Information
For answers to frequently asked questions, please visit our FAQs.
For more information on graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies website.
Rice University policies and process regarding admissions requirements may be found in the General Announcements.
Applicants are advised to use a current browser version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or Internet Explorer. Cookies and JavaScript should be enabled.
Program Tuition
Estimated Cost of Attendance (AY 2023-2024)
Direct Costs
Tuition* $35,000
Health Insurance Premium $3,139
Fees** $730
Indirect Costs***
Room & Board $15,000
Books and Supplies $1350
Personal Expenses $2,800
* This tuition covers the complete 12-month schedule of course work. An enrollment deposit of $5,000** is due upon acceptance and will be applied toward your first semester bill. Failure to enroll in that year results in forfeiture of the deposit and will require reapplication. The deposit is applied to the Fall Semester tuition.
** Fees included: Graduate Student Association Fee, Student Organizations Fund, Honor Council, and Health Services Fee (no spouses).
*** Indirect living costs will vary for each MHCIHF student. However, these figures are meant to provide estimates for what students can expect to pay per year for 12-month occupancy.