Experimental Psychology: Human Factors Psychology

Terminal Master of Arts Degree in Experimental Psychology
with a Specialization in Human Factors Psychology (36 hours)

The requirements for the terminal MA degree are an abbreviated form of the doctoral program. Generally, master's students take 10 courses, register for 6 hours of research, and complete the prequalifying examination (2nd year talk/report). Students are expected to be involved in research every term. To be competitive students are advised to be enrolled in as much research as possible. A terminal MA degree takes about 2 - 2 1/2 years to complete, including summer terms. The following components from the doctoral program are not required for the terminal MA: (a) a third elective statistics course; (b) qualifying examination; (c) dissertation; (d) practical experience.

M. A. Curriculum (Human Factors)

The curriculum for the Master's degree in Human Factors also requires 36 hours, but it is more specialized than the general terminal master's curriculum. Minimum coursework requirements are below:

Statistics (6 hours)

• PSY 5380, Experimental Design
• PSY 5347, Advanced Correlational Methods and Factor Analysis

Experimental Core (6 hours)

Two courses that fulfill any two of the cognitive, human factors, social or psychobiological core requirement. The list of eligible courses is provided earlier. Note that IE 5303 (Work Physiology) fulfills the Biological Bases core. Students who have taken this course only need to take one additional department core course.

Experimental/Statistics Electives (12 hours)

4 courses that are either (a) courses taught by experimental faculty, or (b) statistics courses. Two of these 4 courses must be:

• PSY 5370, Human Factors Psychology
• PSY 5372, Human Factors Methodology

Industrial Engineering Requirements (6 hours)

• IE 5301, Ergonomics in Design

One of the following:

• IE 5303, Work Physiology
• IE 5304, Occupational Biomechanics

Research (6 hours)

Six hours of enrollment in PSY 7000. Research experience is considered of primary importance and students are expected to be engaged in research continuously throughout the year. The HF Program utilizes an apprenticeship model in which students become involved in their Advisor's ongoing research. The research typically focuses on theoretical issues in experimental psychology that have implications for human factors applications.

Math and Computer Skills:

Students also are expected to gain the mathematical and computer programming skills necessary to complete the research and coursework in their degree plan. They may take appropriate undergraduate or graduate courses taken before or while enrolled at Texas Tech University or they may develop such skills as part of their laboratory training. Evidence of proficiency in math and computer programming can be through formal coursework or other demonstration of such skills as determined by the human factors faculty. Proficiency in computer programming can be demonstrated in 3 ways: 1) Complete a graduate course in computer programming; 2) Complete an undergraduate course in computer programming; 3) Complete a proficiency project in computer programming.