Interaction Design

Major Emphasis

The Interaction Design emphasis available to CIS majors highlights the issues involved in designing computing systems in a human-centric manner and focuses on the theories and techniques involved in developing effective interfaces for information systems. Courses in Human-Computer Interaction, Game Design and Development, Web Design and Development and more prepare students to take on research, internships, conference presentations, and networking beyond the classroom to jumpstart their careers after W&J.

Additional information about the program and about the broad array of opportunities for internships, research, and careers is available in the Visual Guide for Interaction Design Emphasis (PDF) and on the CIS major page. Additional course information is available in the W&J College Catalog.

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Interaction Design Snapshot

Courses

Research and Internships

Careers After W&J

The experiences CIS majors accumulate as students prepare them well for a range of jobs across industries. Our graduates have developed careers in software development, business analytics, project management, social media and marketing management; I.T. consulting; game design; web design; UI/UX research; database management, and information security.

Alumni like Garrett Pyle ’16, who serves in the logistics field of the U.S. Army, credits the CIS program and courses for helping him build his professional career, and the social and philanthropic experiences he shared with friends on campus for creating a lifelong community.

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Beyond the Classroom

W&J’s CIS program prioritizes hands-on practice. Activities in the classroom and off-campus internships help students apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Internships have included cybersecurity research, data migration and data analysis, and healthcare records implementation. These positions prepare them for careers in technology firms of all sizes, private companies, and nonprofit organizations, as well as rigorous post-secondary programs.

Our students find success before they even leave campus. Jakerra Lance ’22 earned a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) with the University of Austin Texas through the National Science Foundation, and used her skills as a CIS and history double major to work on an independent visualization project with the Cyberinfrastructure Research 4 Social Change REU site.

CIS majors also apply their skills at local non-profit organizations with an unmet technology need during their capstone course, Service Learning Project Management. Our students have worked with WashPa Outdoors, Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA (DVSSP), Washington County Food Bank, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) on projects ranging from creating a local bird-finding app, promoting conservation education, and analyzing information security management.