Psychology-Human Factors Specialization (Ph.D.)

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Each student’s specific program of study will be determined in consultation with the academic advisory committee and the faculty of the Human Factor Program.

Each doctoral student is required to take a comprehensive written examination preliminary to admission to final candidacy for the doctoral degree. This examination covers theory, method and research findings in psychology as well as the field of specialization.

Completion and oral defense of an original dissertation represent the capstone requirements for the degree. Successful completion of the final oral examination is required of all students recommended for the Ph.D. degree in Psychology.

For specific requirements regarding the doctoral programs’ written and oral exams, please contact the Psychology Department .

Ph.D. Requirements for Specialization in Human Factors Psychology (84 credit hours)

Psychology Required Core Coursework 18 credit hours
Human Factors Specialization core 21 credit hours
Dissertation 15 credit hours minimum
Psychology elective courses 30 credit hours

Psychology Required Core Coursework (15 credit hours)

PSYC 771 - Research Design and Statistics I 3 cr hrs
PSYC 772 - Research Design and Statistics II 3 cr hrs
PSYC 798 - Master’s Thesis Research 1 to 6 cr hrs (6 credit hours required) *Transfer students with an approved completed master’s thesis but less than 6 cr of thesis work may count additional electives towards 84 total hours.
PSYC 775 - Multivariate Statistics 3 cr hrs
Or
EDER 862 - Multivariate Statistics 3 cr hrs

Human Factors Specialization Core (21 credit hours)

PSYC 533 - Psychology of Human Performance 3 cr hrs
PSYC 536 - Human Engineering 3 cr hrs
PSYC 705 - Learning, Memory, and Cognition 1 to 3 cr hrs (3 credit hours required)
PSYC 707 - Seminar: Sensation and Perception 1 to 3 cr hrs (3 credit hours required)
PSYC 733 - Human Factors Psychology 3 cr hrs
PSYC 737 - Seminar in Human Factors Research 1 to 3 cr hrs (3 credit hours required)
PSYC 770 - Experimental Methods and Instrumentation 3 cr hrs

Dissertation (15 credit hours minimum)

PSYC 898 - Doctoral Dissertation Research 1 to 15 cr hrs

Psychology Electives* (30 credit hours)

*Transfer students with an approved completed master’s thesis but less than 6 cr of thesis work may count additional electives toward 84 hours.

Elective Area 1 (Human Capabilities) 6 cr hr minimum
BIOL 530 - Neurobiology (C) 3 cr hrs
PSYC 506 - Cognitive Psychology 3 cr hrs
PSYC 508 - Psycholinguistics 3 cr hrs
PSYC 511 - Physiological Psychology 3 cr hrs
PSYC 530 - Organizational Psychology 3 cr hrs
PSYC 741 - Seminar: Social Psychology 1 to 3 cr hrs
PSYC 537 - Decision Making & Risk Management 3 cr hrs
PSYC 738 - Mental Workload 3 cr hrs
Elective Area 2 (Human Factors methods) 3 cr hr minimum
PSYC 712 - Eye Movement: Theory and Application 3 cr hrs
PSYC 742 - Usability Testing 3 cr hrs
PSYC 792 - Topics (C) 1-4 cr hrs (subject in Computational Psychology) 3cr
Elective Area 3 (Human Factors applications) 9 cr hr minimum
PSYC 523 - Aging 3 cr hrs
PSYC 531 - Industrial Psychology 3 cr hrs
PSYC 535 - Human Factors in Computer Systems 3 cr hrs
PSYC 538 - Psychoacoustics 3 cr hrs
PSYC 539 - Psychology of Safety 3 cr hrs
Electives (may be from any of the above areas or below listed coursework) 15 cr hrs
PSYC 509 - History and Systems of Psychology 3 cr hrs
PSYC 513 - Evolutionary Psychology 3 cr hrs
PSYC 514 - Drugs and Behavior 3 cr hrs
CSC 547 - Artificial Intelligence (C) 3 cr hrs
PSYC 708 - Seminar: Advanced History & Systems of Psychology 1 cr hrs
PSYC 709 - Teaching of Psychology 1 cr hrs
PSYC 776 - Human Factors Practicum 1 to 9 cr hrs (1-6 cr hrs allowed)
PSYC 791 - Independent Study 1 to 3 cr hrs (1-6 cr hrs allowed)
PSYC 792 - Topics (C) 1-4cr

Note: Other graduate level coursework may be used with approval of program director.

Student Learning Outcomes

Content knowledge of core areas of human factors as determined by HFES program guidelines (attached). Student will have demonstrated mastery in 4 core content courses listed in the HFES program guidelines.
Students will understand research methods and instrumentation at a level suitable to design, implement and complete an independent research project.
Students develop presentation and communications skills appropriate for a professional in the field of human factors.
Students will seek external funding or experiential opportunities.

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference the State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization