Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors MS, PhD Degree Programs

A Multidisciplinary Endeavor, A User-Friendly End

Influence the next generation of consumer products, technological systems, or other user environments.

The Department of Psychology and Human Factors at Michigan Tech offers MS and PhD degrees in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors. This research-intensive program unites the expertise of multiple disciplines toward optimizing performance, health, and safety at the interface of humans and technology. Participating scholars include both human experts and built-systems experts, including psychologists, engineers, computer scientists, and usability specialists.

Current Research

Departmental research pursues practical solutions to real-world problems. The human factors component of the program is concerned with the design and evaluation of technological systems, products, and work processes from the perspective of human characteristics, needs, abilities, and limitations; and applied cognitive science focuses on understanding and enhancing information processing within both human cognition and machines.

Research is underway in the domains of driving, education, finance, health care, military, law enforcement, medicine, sports, surgery, and other complex sociotechnical areas.

Auditory Displays
Cognitive-Task Analysis
Decision-Support Technologies
Emotional Design
Expertise
Human-Computer Interaction
Human-Performance Modeling
Knowledge Elicitation
Next-Generation Technologies
Occupational Safety
Risky Decision Making and Risk Literacy
Stress and Performance
Situation Awareness
Simulation
Training
Usability
Virtual Reality
Workload and Fatigue

Curriculum

The program's curriculum is designed to develop scholars and practitioners capable of improving sociotechnical systems through instructional and technological design, providing a strong scientific and technological basis in cognitive science and human factors. Master's and doctoral students enrolled in this program gain core competency in understanding human behavior, conducting human-subject research, and employing the concepts, tools, and applications of human-factors psychology.

The Master's program in ACSHF requires a minimum of 32 credit hours, including core courses and a Master's-level thesis or report. Depending upon the background of individual students, some courses may be waived. For more information, see the Graduate Program Director. Students wishing to enter the program to receive a terminal Master's will be considered on a case-by-case basis (see Admission Requirements). The minimum of 32 hours of core graduate credit required for the Master's degree is made up as follows:

Statistics and Methods Core

PSY 5210 (4 hrs) or pre-approved graduate statistics course from another Michigan Tech department (≥3 hrs). PSY 5220 (3 hrs) or pre-approved graduate statistics course from another Michigan Tech department (≥3 hrs). 7 credits recommended (6 credits min):

PSY 5210 - Advanced Statistical Analysis and Design I

An overview of data analysis methods including visualization, data programming, and univariate statistics such as t-test and ANOVA.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, in even years
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

PSY 5220 - Advanced Statistical Analysis and Design II

Course covers multivariate statistics such as ANCOVA, Multiple Regression, factor analysis, clustering, machine learning, and mixture modeling.

Credits: 3.0; Repeatable to a Max of 12
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Spring, in odd years
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate
Pre-Requisite(s): PSY 5110

Research Core

A thesis or report is required for all terminal Master's students. Ph.D. students wishing to obtain a Master's degree en route must complete a thesis (see Master's Thesis and Report section). To be eligible to remain in the program, students must be enrolled in at least 1 credit of 5910, 5999, or 6999 every Fall and Spring semester, unless pre-approved by the graduate director and the student's advisor. 6 credits (min):

PSY 5999 - Graduate Research

Fundamental and applied research in cognitive science and/or human factors leading to the submission of a thesis or report in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the master's degree.

Credits: variable to 12.0; May be repeated; Graded Pass/Fail Only
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Restrictions: Permission of department required; Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

ACSHF Core Courses

6 credits:

PSY 5100 - Applied Cognitive Science

Survey of applied human information processing literature, detailed review of recent developments in applied cognitive science, and examination of the purposes, role and scope of cognitive systems engineering.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring, in even years
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

Specialization Core

Specialization courses provide students with a more comprehensive understanding of a research domain and prepare the student to engage in research and apply those findings. Students are required to take 6 credits selected from courses specified as specialization courses. Courses from the electives list that reflect the student's area of specialization may be substituted for those specialization core credits with approval from the primary advisor and the graduate director. Although the specialization courses offered change each year, courses designated as such in past have included:

PSY 5010 - Cognitive Psychology

A systematic survey of classical and contemporary research topics in human cognition, including perception, attention, mental representation and processing, memory, knowledge, visual imagery, problem solving, reasoning, and decision making. Students will read original research papers and develop a research proposal.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

PSY 5160 - Sensation and Perception

This course will investigate sensory mechanisms and perceptual interpretations of the sensory stimuli. In addition to the basic five senses, proprioception, pain perception, and time perception will also be covered. Students will also write a research proposal.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring, in even years
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

PSY 5750 - Judgment and Decision Making

Decision making is a skill. To improve that skill and design better decision support systems, we examine how people make decisions, sources of power, common biases, and errors. This interdisciplinary approach includes three levels of analysis: descriptive, normative, and prescriptive.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

PSY 6990 - Special Topics in Cognitive Science

Study of special topics in cognitive science as designed by section title.

Credits: variable to 3.0; Repeatable to a Max of 9
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

Special Topics Courses for Specialization Core
Course	Credits
PSY 6990 Sp. Topics in Cognitive Science: Expertise and Skill Acquisition	3 credits
PSY 6990 Special Topics in Cognitive Science: Attention	3 credits
PSY 6991 Special Topics in Human Factors: Neuroergonomics	3 credits
PSY 6991 Special Topics in Cognitive Science: Memory and Learning	3 credits

Tools Core

Tools courses focus on specific methodologies that may apply across research domains and have broad applications beyond the core statistical competency requirements. Tools course expose students to advanced methodological skills that should apply both within their chosen specialization and others. Tools classes provide training in topics such as advanced cognitive modeling, cognitive task analysis, usability analysis, advanced statistics, survey methods, performance assessment, physiological measurement, or other methods used in ACSHF. Courses from the electives list that reflect the student's area of specialization and equip students with additional tools, methods and/or practical skills may be substituted with approval from the primary advisor and graduate director.

Students are required to take 6 credits selected from courses specified as "tools" courses. Although the courses offered change each year, courses designated as such in the past have included:

PSY 6990 - Special Topics in Cognitive Science

Study of special topics in cognitive science as designed by section title.

Credits: variable to 3.0; Repeatable to a Max of 9
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

CS 5760 - Human-Computer Interactions and Usability Testing

Current issues in human-computer interaction (HCI), evaluation of user interface (UI) design, and usability testing of UI. Course requires documenting UI design evaluation, UI testing, and writing and presenting a HCI survey, concept or topic paper.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): CS 4760

Special Topics Courses For Tools Core
Course	Credits
PSY 6990 Special Topics in Cognitive Science: Cognitive Modeling	3 credits
PSY 6991 Special Topics in Cognitive Science: Testing and Measurement	3 credits
PSY 6991 Special Topics in Human Factors: Applied Ergonomics	3 credits
PSY 6991 Special Topics in Human Factors: Psychometric and User Experience	3 credits
PSY 6991 Special Topics in Human Factors: Cognitive Task Analysis	3 credits

Advanced Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

1 credit required. Students are required to take an advanced RCR course within the first year of their enrollment. The university and department offer several courses that may satisfy the RCR requirements. A complete listing can be found at the Graduate School.

As part of required RCR training, students are required to complete human subjects training using the full social/behavioral research course offered by the CITI program.

Job Market

There is a growing need for experts trained in human factors. Opportunities are expanding in all employment sectors, including industry, government, and academia. Nonprofits and consulting firms also employ human factors specialists. Common job titles in the area of human factors include:

Cognitive engineer
Customer-experience specialist
Ergonomist
Human-factors psychologist or engineer
Knowledge engineer
Usability specialist
Usability engineer
User-experience specialist
User-interface designer

MS and PhD Options

In addition to the Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors Program Graduate Handbook, see also the Graduate School's Master of Science requirements and Doctor of Philosophy requirements page.

Degree Options

MS, Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors: Thesis Option

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	20 Credits
Thesis research	6-10 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MS, Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors: Report Option

This option requires a report describing the results of an independent study project. The scope of the research topic should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in twelve months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

Of the minimum total of 30 credits, at least 24 must be earned in coursework other than the project:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	24 Credits
Report	2-6 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MS, Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors: Coursework Option

This option requires a minimum of 30 credits be earned through coursework. A limited number of research credits may be used with the approval of the advisor, department, and Graduate School. See degree requirements for more information.

A graduate program may require an oral or written examination before conferring the degree and may require more than the minimum credits listed here:

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	18 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

PhD requirements: Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors

To complete a doctoral degree, students must complete the following milestones:

Complete all coursework and research credits (see credit requirements below)
Pass Qualifying Examination
Pass Research Proposal Examination
Prepare and Submit Approved Dissertation
Pass Final Oral Defense

The minimum credit requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Degrees	Credits
MS-PhD (minimum)	30 Credits
BS-PhD (minimum)	60 Credits

Individual programs may have higher standards and students are expected to know their program's requirements. See the Doctor of Philosophy Requirements website for more information about PhD milestones and related timelines.

Degree Requirements

Refer to the Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors Program Graduate Handbook for a detailed explanation of departmental-specific MS and PhD degree requirements. The department's independently established degree requirements include the following:

Terminal master's students must do a thesis or report.
Students in the PhD program without a master's degree must do a thesis. The report and thesis options require students to first write and orally present a proposal for their report or thesis. After successfully defending their proposal, they must then produce a written thesis or report and orally present their thesis or report to their committee for evaluation.
Students in the PhD program who already hold a master's degree and who wish to earn an MS in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors en route to the PhD must do a thesis. Per (i) and (ii), the thesis option requires students to first write and orally present a thesis proposal. After successfully defending the proposal, students must then produce a written thesis and orally present the thesis to their committee for evaluation.
Students in the PhD program who already hold a master's degree in human factors, cognitive science, or a highly relevant area and who do not wish to obtain an MS in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors en route to the PhD must complete a graduate research project, unless they have petitioned ACSHF Graduate Program Committee to be exempted from this requirement and have received approval. As per the thesis, the graduate research project must be first proposed, and then the final version of the project must be orally presented to and evaluated by the ACSHF Graduate Program Committee.

Accelerated Masters ACSHF

If you don't have time to pursue a separate two-year MS degree, enhance an undergraduate psychology major or minor instead. Choose an Accelerated MS in ACSHF to earn your bachelor's and master's degrees together, with an applied cognitive science and human factors focus. Enhance your learning, deepen your understanding, and graduate with a competitive advantage in the job market or a leg up on your path to a PhD.

Accelerated MS, Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors

Bachelor's + 1 Year = Master's Degree

Our accelerated master's degree program is a faster, easier way for Michigan Tech students to earn a master's degree. Up to nine approved credits from your bachelor's degree can be applied towards your accelerated master's degree. Consult your graduate program director for your individualized plan. If you're thinking about pursuing a master's following your bachelor's this option may be the right choice for you.

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

Graduate School Admissions Process

Applying to Graduate School is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts or test scores are needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps. International applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $10 processing fee per application.

See Admissions Steps

Graduate School Admissions Options

Michigan Tech offers several admissions options in order to meet the educational needs of students from a variety of backgrounds. Students should review the options available to them and apply for the program that will best help them achieve their personal educational goals.

See Admissions Options

Graduate School Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Student Statements

Official Transcripts

Program Specific Requirements

Program Specific

Bachelor's / Master's degree in a field related to Cognitive Science, Human Factors, or Ergonomics (Preferred but not required)
3 Letters of Recommendation
Résumé / Curriculum vitae
Admitted students generally have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale
Writing Sample (preferably related to the field of interest)
For Master's thesis and PhD, you must list faculty and areas of interest. Students must list at least one faculty member as a potential advisor whom they have contacted before applying.
For all PhD applicants, the GRE is required.

International Students

TOEFL: Recommended Score of at least 90 iBT
IELTS: Recommended Overall Band Score of 6.5

Michigan Tech requires a minimum of 79 overall TOEFL or 6.5 overall IELTS score.

Admissions Decisions

Fall decisions made beginning on February 1

Recommended Deadlines

Fall Semester: January 15

Spring/Summer Semester: Typically students are admitted in the Fall, but applicants will be considered for other semesters if their materials are submitted at least a semester in advance.

International Student Requirements

International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.

See International Applicants

Accelerated Master's Requirements

Our Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Specific

2 Letters of Recommendation
Overall GPA of 3.0 or greater
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
No GRE Required
Course Plan

Psychology Minors Only

Prerequisite: Undergraduate statistics course

Eligible Undergraduate Majors

Psychology
Management Information Systems (MIS)
Any Major with a Psychology Minor

Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. Our Graduate School offers over 125 certificates, master's, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.

Human Potential Through Education, Technology, and Science

The Department of Psychology’s graduate program in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors (ACSHF) prepares students to influence the next generation of human-centered technology and innovation. At Michigan Tech, graduate students tackle complex applied cognitive science challenges by leveraging foundational research in real-world settings—bridging the gap between people and the technologies they use every day. Through specialized research groups and state-of-the-art laboratories, students contribute to advancements in artificial intelligence, aging and motor movement models, moral reasoning in technology, STEM problem-solving through video games, and structured analytic techniques that strengthen planning and decision-making. Graduates emerge as leaders equipped to shape smarter systems, safer designs, and more effective human-technology interaction. Graduate studies here prepare students for advanced careers in academia, research, clinical practice, and industry through hands-on experiences and mentorship from accomplished faculty.

Faculty expertise: Graduate students in the Psychology and Human Factors department have the opportunity to engage with faculty whose scholarship and mentorship span a broad array of areas including human-computer interaction, stress and performance, simulation, and cognitive-task analysis. Faculty labs focus on translating research into practical human outcomes: improving performance, health, decision-making, and safety where people interact with technology or systems. This creates an enriched mentorship and training environment for both MS and PhD students.
Funding opportunities: Graduate students at Michigan Tech can access a range of financial support mechanisms, including graduate assistantships that provide a stipend and potential tuition support, internal and external fellowships that may include stipends and tuition benefits, and reduced-tuition programs for eligible students. These resources are administered through the university’s Graduate School and Financial Aid offices.
Career outcomes and networking: Graduates of the ACSHF graduate programs have pursued careers in academia, healthcare, industry, and clinical settings, and doctoral alumni often continue into post-doctoral research appointments or faculty positions. The department’s seminar series and collaborations with professionals across human factors and technological fields help students build professional networks that support career advancement.
Research: Our Psychology and Human Factors students use focused research to explore relevant topics such as interactive design, experiment and survey design, ethnography, field studies, and formal computational modeling. Both the MS and PhD students conduct in-depth investigations and meaningfully contribute insights to the fields of human psychology and applied cognitive science.

College of Sciences and Arts

The College of Sciences and Arts is a community of faculty, staff, and students committed to excellence and driven by our passion for education, outreach, research, and creativity across the social and natural sciences, humanities, and the arts. Uniquely situated in the heart of Michigan's R1 flagship technological university, we specialize in human-centered potential and discovery-based learning designed to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Knowing that every student at Michigan Tech will pass through our doors, our college strives to be at the forefront of interdisciplinary collaborations that lead to breakthrough solutions.

Our students gain a profound understanding of social and cultural contexts through experiential learning and innovative research. We welcome you to be part of our caring, expansive college community, with 32 undergraduate and 24 graduate degrees to choose from.

The opportunities in Michigan Tech's College of Sciences and Arts are limitless. Transform into a civic leader ready to contribute to a sustainable future. Lead and participate in action-based experiences that are critical to the start of a fulfilling career. Job-shadow at a local hospital or veterinary clinic while preparing for a career in health. Design sound and lighting for a regional production. Conduct community forums on the implications of artificial intelligence. Work to purify vaccines. Study the impact of social media on society. Research the mysteries of space and galaxies beyond our universe. Explore transforming abandoned iron and copper mines into giant batteries. Understand freshwater ecosystem health. Document the nature of changes in cognitive function and motor behavior in aging and dementia.

At Michigan Tech, your academic growth is supported by a variety of learning centers, along with our Humanities Digital Media Zone and Writing Center. Model climate in the only cloud chamber of its kind. Take part in interdisciplinary health research in our state-of-the-art H-STEM Complex. Create amazing sights and sounds in our visual art, sound, and theatre performance spaces.

Tomorrow Needs You

Combine your creativity and curiosity to meet pressing societal challenges with innovative solutions. Graduate with the technical skills, critical thinking and tenacity to inspire, design and implement a sustainable future across social and natural sciences, humanities, and arts.

"Psychology and Engineering make an awesome, competitive pair in the job market and I couldn't turn down the opportunity to meld these two passions together. Since starting the program in January, I have found myself surrounded in support and resources from my peers and advisors, as well as lots of opportunity to put the skills in learning to practice in real world examples and exercises. I'm so glad I chose to continue my education and can't wait to see where a degree in ACSHF will take me."Erin Richie, Masters Candidate, ACSHF