THFES | Program Guide | PhD Requirements

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy

Requirements for Applicants to the Program

The general requirements for the Ph.D. degree adhere to the requirements of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

It is additionally expected that the applicant will have completed an M.S. degree in either a psychology field, such as cognition or experimental, or an engineering field such as human factors, mechanical, electrical, civil, industrial, chemical or other traditional engineering discipline or in a strong science discipline with substantial engineering content. It is also expected that the applicant will have completed basic course work particular to the field of Human Factors which will include preparation in statistics/probabilities and in basic human factors engineering and design principles.

In order to be considered for the Ph.D. program, the applicant will be expected to have completed mathematics through differential equations, engineering physics, and have preparation in basic engineering principles. This will be judged based on transcripts and, if necessary, on the results of the G.R.E. exams. Students are not required to complete the G.R.E. examinations but may be requested to do so as a requirement for entry into the program. Facility in the use of computers is also strongly recommended.

Applicants who are judged to lack suitable preparation may be able to remedy this through courses taken concurrently with or prior to entering their specified program courses.

Program of Study for the Ph.D. in Human Factors

There is no prespecific set of courses for the program. However, the Ph.D. program in Human Factors will generally consist of a dissertation and course work constituting a program of studies to provide support for the dissertation topic and for general advanced education in Human Factors. The program of studies will be determined by the applicant in consultation with the applicant's dissertation advisor.

All Human Factors Ph.D. candidates will be given qualifying written and/or oral presentations prior to beginning their dissertation work in order to determine the adequacy of their preparation for pursuing advanced studies in Human Factors engineering. The MS thesis and/or other scholarly work published or unpublished may be submitted for consideration of qualification.

Program of Study for the Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology

Eleven (11) additional courses are required beyond the seven (7) required for the master's degree. The Ph.D. program in Experimental Psychology will also consist of a dissertation.

All Experimental Psychology Ph.D. candidates will be given qualifying written and/or oral presentations prior to beginning their dissertation work in order to determine the adequacy of their preparation for pursuing advanced studies in Human Factors engineering. The master's thesis and/or other scholarly work published or unpublished may be submitted for consideration of qualification.