Human factors psychology – careers and degrees

Like other areas of psychology, human factors psychology is the study of people and their behavior. It differs in that human factors psychologists tailor their research towards improving products, equipment, or the working environment. Typically, the overarching goal is to either increase safety or maximize productivity.

This sector stands at the intersection of technology and psychology, meaning the opportunities are huge.

Although, human factors psychology sounds like a very specialized field with narrow career path potential, the reality is the opposite. This sector stands at the intersection of technology and psychology, meaning the opportunities are huge. Today, there are a wide variety of workplace options for human factor psychologists, from government and corporate, to healthcare and heavy industry. Most of these professionals work for private companies in automotive, aerospace, computers, and manufacturing.

It is important to mention that ‘human factors’ is often used interchangeably with ‘ergonomics.’ Note that specializations such as ‘engineering psychology’ and ‘aviation psychology’ can also fall into the human factors bracket. Wherever psychology deals with the interconnection between people and machines, people and tasks, and people and environments, it tends to be related to the field of human factors.

Successful human factors psychologists are often fond of technology, but equally important, they have a heightened sense of empathy.

Those drawn to this profession like the fact that the psychology is applied. Research is more than just theoretical, it is tested and used. For example, a human factor psychologist may redesign a recalled product, plan a new office space, or look at ways to ensure hospital equipment best serves the needs of the patients.

Successful human factors psychologists are often fond of technology, but equally important, they have a heightened sense of empathy. They tend to have the capacity to put themselves in the shoes of the people who use a product or workspace and recognize the factors that lead to human error. So, if you are constantly noticing the inefficiencies of a workplace, or cursing at non-intuitive products, then a career in human factors psychology could be for you.

What career options are available to human factors psychologists?

Overall, the career outlook across all psychology fields is excellent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that psychologists’ employment will rise by 8% from 2020 to 2030. Additionally, an increasing number of companies are recognizing the importance of human factors psychologists, so this career path appears to come with good prospects. The jobs you can realistically apply for depend on your level of qualification.

What are the educational requirements for a career in human factors psychology?

Bachelor’s degree

The first step on the road to becoming a human factors psychologist is an undergraduate degree. A typical bachelor’s program takes 4 years to complete. Most students opt for either a B.A. in psychology, or a B.S. in psychology. The main difference being that B.A. students have more opportunities to take elective courses outside of psychology. A B.S. may be more beneficial as the emphasis is more on science and math. Certain B.S. and B.A. programs offer a concentration in human factors, which is worth considering when researching schools and programs.

Some students major in another related field, such as technology, design, or engineering.

Although majoring in psychology is a popular choice for would-be human factor psychologists, it is not essential. Some students major in another related field, such as technology, design, or engineering. All these majors have practical application for a human factors psychologist, and so are usually accepted during the master’s application process. Note, applicants without a background in psychology may experience a steep learning curve at the beginning of their M.A program due to the absence of foundational knowledge in the field.

In recent years, some schools have made it possible to get a B.S. in human factors. Depending on the reputation of the school and the contents of the program, this can also be a viable choice. A B.S. program in human factors can include:

• conducting user research and evaluations
• analyzing and interpreting human data
• applying human-centered design practices to a range of technical problems
• learning about ethical and professional responsibility in human factors research and design

Although at the undergraduate level, internships are not usually a requirement, it is recommended to sign up for any internship opportunities that arise. Employers look favorably upon graduates who already have work experience in the field. An internship also represents an excellent opportunity to forge relationships that can be useful when you are entering the job market.

Master’s degree

There are human factors psychology jobs that only require a bachelor’s, but most of them—including private practice positions—necessitate at least an M.A. To be accepted into an M.A. program, students usually require an undergraduate degree in a related field, a GPA of 3.0 and minimum GRE scores. Most master’s degrees take 2 years to complete.

There are 2 main study subject options. The first is an M.S. in psychology with a concentration in human factors. During this program, practicums and research are usually completed either in a laboratory or industrial environment. Such courses offer students a strong grounding in psychology, user-focused design process, and methods to evaluate human-machine interfaces.

A typical program might include:

• research and statistics courses
• required applied cognitive psychology courses
• human factors psychology electives
• the option to either complete a graduate internship, or master’s thesis research
• core psychology courses, e.g., sensation and perception, advanced cognitive and affective psychology

The second option is an M.S, or occasionally an M.A., in human factors psychology. Typically, this includes courses in:

• statistics
• human factors psychology
• human factors methodology
• cognitive neuroscience
• group processes and intergroup relations
• cognitive ergonomics
• industrial engineering

Students usually conduct their own research during the program. They are also encouraged to get involved with the research of their supervisor in an apprentice capacity.

Graduates of master’s programs in human factor psychology often work in industrial and organizational psychology. They may be eligible for some teaching positions, although advanced teaching positions require a doctorate. Often their work is supervised by a more highly qualified psychologist.

Doctoral programs

A doctorate degree qualifies graduates for the most prestigious jobs in the field. Typically, the program comes in the form of a Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D., in human factors psychology, which takes 4-6 years to complete.

To be accepted into a Ph.D. program, students usually require a master’s in a related field. There are some programs that accept applicants directly after their bachelor’s, and other programs that integrate the master’s and Ph.D. into a single program. This can cut down on the years of study but is also a big commitment to make all at once.

A Ph.D. in human factors psychology might include courses in:

• advanced research methods
• biological/philosophical foundations of behavior
• teaching of psychology – principles, practice, and ethics
• psychological principles of human factors
• software psychology
• perception

In most doctoral programs, students enroll in a specified number of research hours. They also need to show that they are highly competent in the principal areas of their specialty before moving on to work on their obligatory dissertation.

The internship combines supervised experience and intensive training in a position related to human factors.

Commonly an internship of around 3 months duration is required. The internship combines supervised experience and intensive training in a position related to human factors. Some schools even offer paid internships with companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Dell.

Paying for your education

An education in human factors psychology requires a considerable investment of time and money. Fortunately, several ways to fund your degrees at all levels do exist. Firstly, be sure to fill out the FAFSA, which can lead to federal grants, student loans, state, and school-based financial aid. Other options include scholarships within the human factor psychology field or applying for a federal loan. Although at undergraduate level it may be possible to support yourself by working a part-time job, this becomes more difficult as you climb the degree ranks and the coursework becomes more challenging. You can also minimize the costs of your education by choosing affordable schools, just be sure to check they are accredited by the requisite governing bodies.

The next steps

Following their doctoral degree, graduates need to complete a few more requirements to become a licensed human factors psychologist. These may vary slightly between state, but usually involve:

• completing the number of hours of supervised clinical experience as specified by the state you wish to practice in
• passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), and additional exam requirements depending on the state
• applying for the license from the state’s psychology board