University of Baltimore
The University of Baltimore is said to be the premier public university that offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. It is located in the heart of the largest city in the state, and is conveniently settled just across the street from Penn Station. UB is proud to embrace the vital diversity needed to solidify its role as one of a few urban anchor institutions. Ever since its inception, the University of Baltimore has given educational access to an incredibly wide range of students— this includes those who are first generation college students, working adults, those who are changing careers, and those who need flexibility that is not usually found in a traditional college setting.
The University of Baltimore was founded in 1925 as a private night school, focusing on law and business administration. 12 years later, the junior college was added. In 1975 UB became a public institution, and shifted its structure to an upper-division institution that offered undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Finally, in 2001 the university returned to offering 4 year undergraduate education to comply with the plan of the state regarding higher education—this was the need for more accessible public education of a higher quality. UB is committed to cultivating a welcoming and inclusive community in which all students, staff, and faculty will feel valued and supported. They will be able to engage in meaningful dialogue through active listening and conscious questioning—two of the most important things that create change. UB is said to embody multiculturalism that is vital to its role as an “urban anchor institution”.
Doctor of Information and Interaction Design
This Doctor of Science program is made up of 48 credits that make up an in-depth examination of interaction design and information for humans. It consists of interdisciplinary courses like library science, cognitive psychology, user research, computer science, and interaction design. Doctoral students will become leading researchers and designers that are able to put together innovative design solutions using their thorough understanding of human behavior. This program is unique in that it is a careful balance between practice and theory, and with its focus on the challenges that are had for designing for audiences with special needs—like older adults, small children, those with low literacy skills, or those who need assistive technology.
Required course work includes things like applied qualitative and quantitative research methods, applied statistics, experiment design, project management, and HCI theory. This program is one of the only of its kind that allows students to participate with part time study, with evening and online courses that are put together in a live, synchronous format. At the end of the program, the studies are brought together in a dissertation project that has great impact on the field. The dissertation project will be submitted to be evaluated by a committee of faculty and experts. Students will have the chance to work on high-impact digital technology projects using top of the line research tools. Students will end the program having a plethora of valuable skills added to their repertoire upon completion of this comprehensive and intensive program focused on social and cultural effects of the implementation of information systems.
Master in Interaction Design and Information Architecture
Once students complete this program and graduate with a master's degree, they will find themselves to be a hot commodity. Those who are recruiting graduates in this field stress that the college isn't churning out graduates fast enough. Additionally, this program can be completed totally online. This allows students to access their classes from work, home, or really anywhere in the world that has an internet connection.
The program is made up of 36 credit hours, and puts emphasis on design, development, and application of all important information technologies that satisfy human desires and needs. Students will imagine, design, and then build interactive systems that will address the needs and interests that society really is just starting to recognize. Students will bring together elements of computer science, humanities, and arts to develop in-demand skills that many companies are actively looking for. The professors will expose students to cutting-edge topics and will encourage them to present their work at conferences across the nation. Many of these professors are continually managing active research projects. Students will apply advanced technologies within the context of the human experience, and learn the skills that are needed for the most sought after careers within this field. Students will also learn from their peers; these students will have backgrounds that are widely diverse and include social sciences, computer science, literature, history, natural sciences, even language and the arts. Classes are offered during the evening and sometimes on weekends, while other courses are offered during the summer and online.
