Psychology-Human Factors & Applied Cognition (Ph.D.) ##Pending SDBOR approvals for curriculum changes

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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 Factors & Applied Cognition 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 .

Program Overview

USD offers the state’s most comprehensive psychology program with graduate training leading to a Ph.D. degree with specializations in clinical psychology or human factors & applied cognition. Human factors professionals explore the interaction of humans and technology, testing the designs of systems, tasks, machines, tools and environments. Learn more at usd.edu/psychology.

DELIVERY: On campus

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

Psychology Required Core Coursework 15 credit hours
Human Factors & Applied Cognition Specialization core 9 credit hours
Dissertation 15 credit hours minimum
Psychology elective courses 45 credit hours

Psychology Required Core Coursework (15 credit hours)

PSYC 771 - Research Design and Statistics I 3 cr
PSYC 772 - Research Design and Statistics II 3 cr
PSYC 798 - Master’s Thesis Research 1 to 6 cr (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
Or
EDER 862 - Multivariate Statistics 3 cr

Human Factors & Applied Cognition Specialization Core (9 credit hours)

PSYC 532 - Human Factors Psychology 3 cr
PSYC 705 - Advanced Cognitive Neuroscience 1-3 cr (3 credit hours required)
PSYC 737 - Seminar in Human Factors Research 1 to 3 cr (3 credit hours required)

Dissertation (15 credit hours minimum)

PSYC 898 - Doctoral Dissertation Research 1 to 15 cr

Psychology Electives* (45 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.

** Special Topics may be applied to Area 1, Area 2, Area 3, or Electives depending on the topic of the course.

Elective Area 1 (Human Capabilities) 6 cr hr minimum
PSYC 533 - Psychology of Human Performance 3 cr
PSYC 707 - Seminar: Sensation and Perception 1 to 3 cr
PSYC 738 - Mental Workload 3 cr
PSYC 792 - Topics ** 3 cr
Elective Area 2 (Human Factors methods) 6 cr hr minimum
PSYC 515 - Neuroergonomics 3 cr
PSYC 712 - Eye Movement: Theory and Application 3 cr
PSYC 742 - Usability Testing 3 cr
PSYC 770 - Experimental Methods and Instrumentation 1-3 cr
PSYC 792 - Topics (C) 1-4 cr ** 3 cr
Elective Area 3 (Human Factors applications) 6 cr hr minimum
PSYC 535 - Human Factors in Computer Systems 3 cr
PSYC 536 - Human Engineering 3 cr
PSYC 539 - Psychology of Safety 3 cr
PSYC 792 - Topics ** 3 cr
Electives (may be from any of the above areas or below listed coursework) 27 cr hrs
PSYC 506 - Cognitive Psychology 3 cr
PSYC 508 - Psycholinguistics 3 cr
PSYC 516 - Cognitive Neuroscience 3 cr
PSYC 523 - Aging 3 cr
PSYC 537 - Decision Making & Risk Management 3 cr
PSYC 538 - Psychoacoustics 3 cr
DSCI 541 - Project Management 3 cr
BME 525 - Medical Product Development 3 cr
PSYC 548 - Motivation and Emotion 3 cr
CSC 547 - Artificial Intelligence (C) 3 cr
PSYC 709 - Teaching of Psychology 1 cr
PSYC 741 - Seminar: Social Psychology 1 to 3 cr (3 credit hours required)
PSYC 776 - Human Factors Practicum 1 to 9 cr (1-6 cr hrs allowed)
PSYC 788 - Research Problems/Projects 1 to 4 cr (1-9 cr hrs allowed)
PSYC 791 - Independent Study (C) 1 to 3 cr (1-6 cr hrs allowed)
PSYC 792 - Topics (C) 1-4cr
PSYC 888 - Predoctoral Research Problems 1 to 15 cr (1-9 cr hrs allowed)
Notes:

At least half the credits taken must be at the 700 level or higher.
Other graduate level coursework may be used with approval of program director.

General Application Requirements

Completed application
$35 application fee
Official transcripts*
Letters of recommendation*
Statement of purpose
Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog

Location Matters for Non-Licensure Track Programs

This program is not designed or advertised to lead to a professional license or certification required for employment.

USD is permitted to operate under the terms of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) policies and standards in offering online courses/degree programs to residents in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Online courses/programs may also be offered to residents of California (a non-SARA state) because it does not regulate out-of-state public institutions.

Additionally, this program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. Please contact a program representative if you have questions regarding supervised field study.

Distance education courses or programs will not be offered outside of the United States without prior written approval from the University, which may be withheld for any reason. If you are taking distance courses while physically located outside of the United States, it is your responsibility to confirm the following: (a) if the country will recognize an online degree; (b) the availability of supervised field study opportunities in the country; and (c) if the country charges any additional taxes, withholdings or fees associated with online distance education programs.

For more information, please visit USD’s State Authorization page or contact your admissions counselor.

Questions?

Department of Psychology
605-658-3700 | psychology@usd.edu | usd.edu/psychology

Graduate Admissions
605-658-6140 | gradadmissions@usd.edu | usd.edu/grad