Experimental Programs: Human Factors

Overview of the Human Factors Program

Human Factors is that field which is involved in conducting research regarding human psychological, social, physical, and biological characteristics, maintaining the information obtained from that research, and working to apply that information with respect to the design, operation, or use of products or systems for optimizing human performance, health, safety, and/or habitability (Stramler, 1993).

Human Factors is concerned with the application of what we know about people, their abilities, characteristics, and limitations to the design of equipment they use, environments in which they function, and jobs they perform (Human Factors & Ergonomics Society).

Human Factors is a body of knowledge about human abilities, human limitations, and other human characteristics that are relevant to design. Human factors engineering is the application of human factors information to the design of tools, machines, systems, tasks, jobs, and environments for safe, comfortable, and effective human use (Chapanis, 1991).

Chapanis, A. (1991). To communicate the human factors message, you have to know what the message is and how to communicate it. Bulletin of the Human Factors Society, 34, 1-4.

Stramler, J. H. (1993). The dictionary for human factors/ergnomics. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

Objectives

The Human Factors Psychology Program at Texas Tech University is fully accredited by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

The objective of the program is to prepare students for employment in academia, government and industry settings. Such preparation includes methodological, statistical, and technical skills, knowledge of the basic and applied literature, and assimilation into the professional community.

The HF Program is committed to the integration of basic and applied research. Thus, students are trained in the fundamental processes of human behavior, quantitative methods, and multidisciplinary topics. Students take courses in psychology, experimental methods and statistics, human factors, and industrial engineering (ergonomics). They gain experience applying fundamental methods and knowledge in experimental psychology to applied problems. Hands-on research experience is considered of fundamental importance and students are engaged in research continuously during their enrollment. Research opportunities are diverse and can include collaborations with faculty in other departments as well as in other specializations within experimental psychology.

Faculty and students interact with colleagues in departments such as Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Education, Health/Physical Education/Recreation, Industrial Engineering, and the Health Sciences Center.

Job Market

The employment prospects for individuals trained in human factors psychology are outstanding. There is a shortage of human factors professionals and employers compete fiercely to fill their vacancies. There are numerous job opportunities. Salaries and benefits are high. Our recent graduates have reported starting annual salaries between 60K and 75K.

The objective of the PhD and MA programs is to prepare students for employment in academia, government and industry settings. The terminal MA program prepares students for professional employment, as in industry, or for continuation of education in a doctoral program. Our students receive excellent training in human factors psychology, and 100% of our graduates have secured employment.

Our graduates have been employed at Auburn University, the Federal Aviation Administration, General Electric, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lear Corporation, Lucent Technologies, Lockheed-Martin/NASA-Johnson Space Center, NIOSH, NOVA Research Co., Oakhill Technology, Perceptive Sciences, Roche Diagnostics, SA Technologies, SBC Technology, State Farm, the US Air Force, and the US Army.