<p>Hi all, I've been working in the IT field for a few years right out of undergrad and would like to return to school for a career change into HCI. I have been learning about it, reading books, and taking MOOCs and I'd like to pursue a formal education in it. </p>
<p>I could apply for a masters or a PhD in HCI.</p>
<p>The problem is, being that it is a career change, I have no research experience at all. I figured it would make more sense to apply for the masters (which I feel is a bit easier to get into), get some research experience while I'm in and then apply for the PhD if I wanted to (I would like to keep a PhD option open at least). </p>
<p>However, many of the masters programs are professional masters. There is nothing wrong with that and I could learn a lot but I am wondering if that closes the door on potentially doing a PhD?</p>
<p>If you want to leave it open for PhD then you should really have a research oriented masters. If you don’t have research experience and letter of reference that give support to your potential as a researcher then it is unlikely that you will get into a PhD program, certainly not a competitive one. One could say that you don’t know if you like research yet, either.</p>
<p>No, doing a professionally oriented master’s doesn’t close the door to a PhD IF there is also the option to do research while you are there and you get some research experience. Some master’s programs are mostly terminal and mostly for students interested in the workforce, but will still have opportunities for potential doctoral candidates. One idea is to look for MS programs at places at which there is a PhD in which you’d be interested.</p>
<p>It would be better to go to a research-oriented MS, but as long as you get the research experience you need you should be fine.</p>