PROGRAM BACKGROUND

Title of program

Experimental Psychology with 5 specialized courses in Human Factors

Department sponsoring program

Psychology

Year human factors/ergonomics program was established

1993

Accredited by HFES?

No

Contact person for more information, including applications

Jeffrey Neuschatz 
University of Alabama in Huntsville 
301 Sparkman Drive 
Huntsville, AL 35899 
256/824-6191 
neuschaj@uah.edu

Catalog

https://www.uah.edu/ahs/departments/
psychology/programs/graduate

Academic calendar

Semester

Human factors/ergonomics graduate degrees offered

Human Factors (MA) and Industrial Organizational (MA)

Goals, objectives, and emphasis of the program

The focus of the program is general-experimental with areas of focus available in cognitive, social, developmental, applied (human factors and industrial/organizational), and biopsychology. This program is primarily directed toward the student whose goal is the continuation of scholarly study, research, or writing. The end goal is to produce high-quality students according to the scientist-practitioner model who are well prepared for entry into the workforce or a PhD program. The program is designed for a small number of students who will work in close interaction with individual faculty members and with one another. Although a few structured courses are required of all students, a substantial portion of the student's program focuses on individual readings, research, and thesis. The program stresses interaction with other departments on campus, particularly Industrial and Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, as well as Business.

Number of degrees granted during last 3 years

8

Can students attend part-time?

Yes

Are required courses offered through distance learning?

Some: Human Factors in Systems Design, Occupational Safety Engineering, Occupational Biomechanics, Systems Safety Engineering. Distance degree in ISE is currently offered.

Are required courses offered at night?

Yes

Are required courses offered during summer?

Yes

Does the university have an HFES student chapter?

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application deadlines

Spring: September 1 (if currently living outside the United States); November 30 (if currently living inside the United States)

Summer: February 1 (if currently living outside the United States); March 15 (if currently living inside the United States)

Fall: April 1 (if currently living outside the United States); June 1 (if currently living inside the United States)

Application fees

$50

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum requirements

GRE combined: 300

GRE Verbal: 150

GRE Quantitative: 150

Undergraduate transcripts, letter of intent, 3 letters of recommendation (at least one from a former psychology professor), example of written work (APA report of empirical work preferred), undergraduate degree in psychology or related field, 15 hours of psychology approved by graduate faculty

Recommended: courses in experimental design and statistical analysis

Importance of other criteria as admission factors

Previous research activity: high

Relevant work experience: high

Extracurricular activities: low

Letters of recommendation: medium

Tuition and fees

In state: $4,774

Out of state: $10,701

ADMISSIONS

Number of students applying to the human factors/ergonomics program last year

7

Number of students accepted into the program last year

5

Number of students entering the program last year

4

Anticipated number of openings per year for the next two years

8

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Percentage of students in program receiving financial assistance

100%

Amount received per year

$1,228

Types of assistance available

Teaching assistantship (tuition exempt)

Research assistantship (tuition exempt)

When should students apply for financial assistance?

At the same time as submitting application for admission

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

MA

Number of units required

30

Exams required

Thesis and oral defense

Language requirements

None

Research required

Thesis research

Practical experience required

None

Typical number of years required to obtain degree

2

Is there a non-thesis option?

Yes

CURRICULUM

Required courses (units)

Experimental Design (3), Statistics for Experimental Methods (4), Supervised Research (3-6) or Master's Thesis (3-6), Concentrated Readings (3), Professional Development in Research and Teaching (2)

Electives (units)

Work Design (3), Human Factors (3), Industrial and Organizational Psychology (3), Performance Measurement and Productivity Improvement (3), Value and Decision Theory (3)

Number of courses outside department that are required

0

Number of courses outside department that are recommended

2

Average or typical class size in a required course

6–8

RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES

Research and support facilities available to students in the program: 

All students are required to participate in ongoing research with a faculty member as part of the program. Currently there is an 800-square-foot human factors research lab within the Psychology Department as well as a 500-square-foot human memory and learning lab. Students may do research at virtual reality labs located at NASA-Marshall, U.S. Army AMCOM, and Boeing. Students may also get involved in research at the Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis at UAH.

Teaching opportunities available to students in the program:
Students who are interested in teaching may have the opportunity for a teaching assistantship during their second year in the program. All students are required to teach one week of an undergraduate course in the Professional Development courses.

Current research activities and projects being carried out by program faculty and/or students:

Faculty are pursuing research concerning human performance in categorization tasks and decision making, the interface between learning and motor responses, and NASA's Ares I crew launch vehicle system.

STUDENT STATISTICS

Number of current HF/E postdocs

0

Of the number of those graduating in the past year, what
percentage gained employment in

Academia: 1

Industry: 3

Government: 0

FACULTY

David B. Kaber, PhD 1996, Texas Tech University; human-automation interaction, human-machine interface design, occupational and systems safety engineering

Chang S. Nam, PhD 2003, Virginia Tech University; brain-computer interface, neuroergonomics, smart healthcare

Nancy Currie, PhD 1997, University of Houston; industrial engineering, human-robot interaction, systems safety engineering, biomechanics and biodynamics

Manida Swangnetr, PhD 2010, NC State University; cognitive ergonomics, occupational ergonomics, safety engineering