Human-Centered Computing (HCC) Subplan Requirements

What is a Subplan?

A subplan is an optional enhancement to the Professional MS in Computer Science (MSCPS) degree program allowing students to demonstrate a high level of expertise in a sub-field of Computer Science. 

Current students in the MSCPS program have the option to declare exactly one (1) subplan.

The subplan appears on the student’s transcript as specialization. The subplan does not appear on the diploma.

Completing a Subplan

MSCPS students interested in adding a subplan must officially declare their subplan. Subplans are not automatically added, even if a student meets the requirements for the subplan.

If an MSCPS student officially declares a subplan, they are responsible for completing the subplan requirements in order to graduate with the MSCPS degree. If a student has otherwise completed the MSCPS requirements but not the subplan requirements, they will not be eligible to graduate until they complete the subplan requirements or drop the subplan before the deadline.

MSCPS students can declare a subplan after their first semester and no later than the add deadline of their final semester. No more than one change request (add/drop/swap) is permitted, pending extenuating circumstances. To declare a subplan, submit the Degree / Option Change request form (Forms & Policies).

Degree Requirements

  • Students enrolled in the Professional MS in Computer Science (MSCPS) program with the Human-Centered Computing (HCC) subplan must complete 30 credit hours of graduate coursework that align with the MSCPS degree requirements, including the requirements for the HCC subplan:
    • 9 hours - Bin/Breadth courses
      • Computer Science courses are listed in the three different breadth bins.
      • Students must earn a B or better (not a B-) in at least one 5000-level course (not 6000 or higher) from each of the three bins.
      • By petition to the Graduate Committee, similar transferred graduate work done elsewhere may be used to satisfy part of this requirement. 
    • 6 hours - Project courses
      • Students must complete both project courses from one project course sequence.
      • Students must earn grades of ‘B’ or better in both courses.
      • Students cannot count just one project course to the degree.
    • 15 hours - Elective courses
      • You may take up to two, approved, non-CS courses.
      • Any non-Computer Science courses that can count towards a subplan will count against the two maximum allowable non-CS classes.
    • HCC Subplan courses
      • Must complete at least 12 credit hours of eligible HCC subplan courses with a grade of ‘B’ or better.
    • Counting courses for the HCC subplan
      • Students can satisfy subplan requirements by counting eligible BIN and/or Elective courses towards the HCC subplan requirements. This means:
        • Students may count an eligible course towards BOTH a BIN/breadth requirement AND an HCC subplan requirement.
        • If the student does not need to count an eligible course towards the breadth/bin requirement, the course can count towards BOTH an elective requirement AND an HCC subplan requirement.
      • For example, if a student got a grade of ‘B’ or higher in CSCI 5839:
        • …and still needed to complete their Bin 2 requirement - They could count CSCI 5839 as BOTH their Bin 2 course and as an HCC subplan course.
        • …and already completed their Bin 2 requirement - they could count CSCI 5839 as BOTH an Elective course and as an HCC subplan course.

Human-Centered Computing (HCC) Subplan Course Options