Planning for a Ph.D. Progpam in Human Factors Psychology

Abstract

Trained Human Factors experts are being sought increasingly in government, industry and academia. In response, program accreditation guidelines have been recommended for adoption by the Human Factors Society in order to set professional training standards. But what are the considerations to be addressed before starting an institutional Human Factors degree program? At the University of Central Florida cautious optimism has led to a feasibility study of these considerations in anticipation of a Ph.D. offering in Human Factors. Feasibility, Planning, and Implementation stages required for Ph.D. authorization in Human Factors will be presented. In particular, emphasis will center on the primary issues of need for such a program balanced against available resources. The Central Florida area is fortunate to have a growing base of government and industrial concerns interested in Human Factors research. In addition, these same concerns have resources in terms of people, equipment, and laboratory space that they are willing to share in a cooperative effort in exchange for trained professionals. The sum total can be reduced program cost combined with an applied curriculum producing Human Factors experts who can “hit the ground running”.