Master of Arts (MA) in
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Why Study
The Master of Arts in Interaction Design and Interactive Art is a two-year innovative interdisciplinary STEM program (CIP 09.0702) that focuses on creating interactive applications and objects as part of a designed user experience.
Our hands-on design program emphasizes both the creative and technical aspects of current and emerging technologies and how they can be used to deliver compelling content.
Integrating interactive art, computer science, psychology, user experience, user interface design (UX/UI), and human-centered design (HCD), the program incorporates design thinking strategies and strategic innovation to shape the future of human-centered experience.
Interdisciplinary Program
The MA IxDIA at Cal State East Bay is unlike any other graduate program in design. Whether you're pivoting careers, deepening your practice, or stepping into higher education for the first time, this is a space built for you.
You'll learn by doing, in small classes with direct faculty access, with tools most programs only dream of: a dedicated studio with 24-hour access, a maker space with a 60-watt laser cutter and 3D printers, a woodshop, and a full bronze foundry.
Small cohorts. Real mentorship. Portfolio-ready outcomes.
With cohorts of just 12–15 students, you get what most programs can't offer: direct access to faculty, meaningful design critique, and the space to develop your own creative voice.
Designed for people who weren't always designed for.
At IxDIA, diversity isn't a checkbox. It's our methodology. We believe the best human-centered design comes from designers who bring diverse lived experiences to the table.
The smartest career move shouldn't cost you everything.
We offer one of the most affordable accredited MA programs in design, making a graduate-level education in UX, HCD, and interactive art genuinely accessible.
A standout experience during my time at CSUEB the FAA design challenge. The challenge was to create a design concept to help air traffic managers monitor and control air traffic. Over four months, Professor Pollock dedicated his time and expertise to helping me and my cohort navigate this complex task. Our collective effort was successful, as we were selected as one of the five finalists in the nation, presenting our innovative solution in Washington D.C. — F. Agusta
Ferdi Augusta, 2023
From the Studio
Field Note / 2026-07-27
A decade later, reflecting on 'The Live Cube'—a graduate thesis tiny-house exhibit about a climate-altered future, physical UX, and how a Mac Pro overheating taught us that constraints are design prompts.
Read moreField Note / 2026-07-02
Applications open October 1 for the Fall 2027 IxDIA cohort. The priority application period runs from October 1 through November 30, 2026.
Read moreReady?
Priority application period: October 1 – November 30, 2026