The PhD in Human Centered Design program will prepare students to analyze, create, and evaluate artifacts and/or socio-technical systems, with emphasis on the dissemination of research findings to scholarly outlets as well as practical implications to society. The program encompasses a broad range of topics including the learning sciences, computer science, human computer interaction, game development and psychology.
PhD Application Process
Application Deadlines: The PhD in Human Centered Design admits students twice a year, in the Fall and Winter quarters.
- Fall quarter deadline: January 15
- Winter quarter deadline: October 1
PhD Funding: Please visit our PhD Funding page for additional details.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree awarded from a college or university with institutional accreditation. (Degree may be earned in any field.)
- Personal statement
- Research statement
- Resume or CV
- Three letters of recommendation
- PhD Addendum form
- Test of English Proficiency for international students. We require at least a 92 on the internet-based TOEFL*, a 6.5 on the IELTS Academic, or a 125 on the Duolingo English Test (DET).
*The ETS TOEFL iBT score scale has changed as of January 21, 2026. For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026, the minimum score requirement is a 4.5 with no sub scores below 4.5 (on the new 1–6 scale). Exams taken prior to January 21, 2026 (with scores on the 0–120 scale) are still valid for two years from the exam date, and will be accepted until expiration.
Steps to Apply
- Complete an online application and submit application fee ($25 application fee for domestic applicants, $75 for international applicants).
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. One must show conferral of a Bachelor's degree from a college or university with institutional accreditation.
- DePaul alumni/undergraduate students applying for graduate admission must also submit a DePaul transcript. You can request a free electronic transcript on the Student Records webpage.
- Individuals with international transcripts need to have a course by course transcript evaluation done by DePaul's internal transcript evaluation team or by one of three external evaluation companies that DePaul University accepts. For more information about this process please visit the Transcript Evaluation webpage.
- Submit all necessary materials listed above, under Admission Requirements.
Any materials not submitted through the online application may be submitted electronically (preferred) or mailed to:
admission@cdm.depaul.edu
CDM Graduate Admission Office
1 E. Jackson Blvd., Suite 8500
Chicago IL 60604
Credentials must be complete prior to an admission review. When important pieces of information such as transcripts are missing, the College is compelled by University regulations to withdraw the application from consideration for admission. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials are submitted by the application term deadline.
Please note that GRE and TOEFL scores MUST be official copies sent directly to CDM Graduate Admission Office by ETS. Photocopies CANNOT be accepted.
- The Institution Code for the GRE is 1165
- The Department Code for the GRE is 0402
- The Institution Code for the TOEFL is 1165
The Ph.D. Admissions Committee determines which applicants will be admitted to the program. Because the School admits only a limited number of students to the Ph.D. program, meeting the admission standards does not guarantee acceptance.