Location: Norfolk, Virginia
Department: Psychology
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PROGRAM BACKGROUND
Title of program
Human Factors (MS, PhD) with 8 specialized courses in HF
Year human factors/ergonomics program was established
1978
Accredited by HFES?
Yes
Contact person for more information, including applications
James Paulson, Assoc. Professor & Graduate Programs Director, Department of Psychology, MGB 250, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529-0267; 757-683-4222; jpaulson@odu.edu
Catalog (free)
http://www.odu.edu/psychology
Academic calendar
Semester
Human factors/ergonomics graduate degrees offered
MS and PhD
Goals, objectives, and emphasis of the program
This program follows the scientist-practitioner model with emphasis on psychological theory and behavioral science, fundamental and innovative areas of human factors/engineering psychology, statistics and research methodology, understanding the broader organizational context for practicing human factors/engineering psychology, and practical experience. Students are encouraged to make innovative professional contributions. Performance expectations and standards are high. The organizational climate of the program is open, nurturing, and cooperative. Students play an active part in the governance of the program and are encouraged to be active in the local chapter of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.
Number of degrees granted during last 3 years
PhD 6 MS 3
Can students attend part-time?
No
Are required courses offered through distance learning?
Some
Are required courses at night?
No
Are required courses offered during summer?
Some
Does the university have an HFES student chapter?
Yes
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application deadline
January 5
Application fee
$50
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Minimum requirements
GPA: 3.0+
GRE: 153 v, 144 q
GRE advanced test in psychology. Note: GRE advanced test is required only for applicants without a bachelor's degree in psychology.
For international students, minimum TOEFL score of 550 if paper-based or minimum TOEFL IBT of 79. Coursework in statistics, experimental methods, and 9 additional semester hours in psychology.
GRE scores were waived for admission in 2021.
Importance of other criteria as admission factors
- Research: high
- Work experience: low
- Letters: medium
- Interview: medium
Undergrad degrees, backgrounds, or course work required (req) or recommended (rec) for admission
BA/BS or higher in Psychology or related field
Tuition and fees
- Resident: $588/semester hour
- Out of State: $1,439/semester hour
ADMISSIONS
Number of students applying to the human factors/ergonomics
program last year
16
Number of students accepted into the program last year
5
Number of students entering the program last year
4
Anticipated number of openings per year for the next two years
6
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Percentage of students in program receiving financial assistance
100%
Amount received per year (minimum – typical – maximum)
$18,000 – $20,000
Types of assistance available
Fellowships, TA, RA, scholarship, most tuition exempt
When should students apply for financial assistance?
With application
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Graduate degrees offered
MS and PhD
Number of units required
MS: 36
PhD: 48 post Master's
Exams required
MS: oral defense exam
PhD: qualifying exam, oral defense of dissertation
Language requirements
None
Research required
MS: thesis and first-year project research required
PhD: dissertation research required
Practical experience required
MS: thesis
PhD: one semester to one year internship/practical experience
Typical number of years required to obtain degree
MS: 2
PhD: 3
Is there a non-thesis option?
No
CURRICULUM
Required courses (units)
MS required courses: Quantitative Methods (ANOVA and Regression, 8), Perception (3), Cognition (3), Research Methods (3), Development or Advanced Social (3)
MS/PhD Human Factors Major Courses: Human Computer Interface Design (3), Ergonomics (3), Human-Computer Interaction (3), Human Factors Psychology (3), Methods, Measures, Techniques, and Tools in Human Factors (3), Attention and Human Performance (3)
Electives (units)
MS/PhD Human Factors Elective Courses:
Advanced Physiological (3), Personnel (3), Organizational (3), Grant and Manuscript Writing (3), Multilevel Models: HLM (3), Quasi-Experimental Methods (3), Psychometric Theory (3), Structural Equation Modeling (3), Various Topics (3 each; e.g. Aviation, Patient Safety, Advanced Human Factors, Human Factors in Cybersecurity). In addition, while an elective at-large, Teaching of Psychology (3) is required to be a teacher of record for a course. HF students are strongly encouraged to obtain teaching experience.
Number of courses outside department that are required
None
Number of courses outside department that are recommended
Depends on student's interests (e.g., Introduction to Modeling and Simulation (3) if interested in pursuing Modeling and Simulation Certificate in HF)
Average or typical class size in a required course
5–8
Modeling and Simulation HF Certificate
An optional curriculum with prescribed coursework from the ODU Modeling and Simulation Department. A research project involving modeling and simulation is also required. Specific requirements can be obtained by emailing the Programs Director (Dr. Mark Scerbo, mscerbo@odu.edu).
RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES
Research and support facilities available to students in the program:
Lab facilities are available for research in human cognition, perception and performance, modeling and simulation, and psychophysiology. Facilities include personal computers, local area networked testing stations, sound-attenuated testing chambers, driving simulators (RTI and STISIM), flight simulators, robotic devices, eye trackers, and a newly remodeled human-computer interaction laboratory. Access to university computing and multimedia development facilities is also available. To complement the university’s emphasis on modeling and simulation, students also have access to the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC). VMASC is an ODU-affiliated research and development center where scientists from a number of disciplines create and test computer models and simulation applications to benefit industrial, academic, and governmental interests. Research is supported by private sector, local, state or federal governmental organizations (e.g., National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, NASA, etc.), or one of the military services. Doctoral students are encouraged to become engaged in one of these research programs early in the process of their education.
Teaching opportunities available to students in the program:
All graduate students are encouraged to teach their own course of record for at least one semester before graduation. Students typically teach undergraduate courses in their area of interest. Students may teach more often if they desire. The Teaching of Psychology course (listed in the electives) is required of students who teach their own course of record. However, nearly all students will obtain experience as a Teaching Assistant as part of their funding, regardless of their later interest in teaching their own course of record.
Current research activities and projects being carried out by program faculty and/or students:
Cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, visual and auditory display design, vigilance and attention, use of advanced automation, automation trust, attention and driving, advanced air mobility, healthcare simulation, measurement and impact of forms of computer usage on productivity, and human cognition and performance.
STUDENT STATISTICS
Current number of active students in program
12
Current number of first-year students
in program
3 in 2023
Based on current graduate students in the program, the mean score on admission tests and undergraduate GPA by degree being sought are
GRE scores were not required for 2023 admission.
FACULTY
Ivan Ash, Assoc. Professor, PhD 2005, U. Illinois-Chicago, heuristic formation and use, biases, expertise
Mark W. Scerbo, FHFES, Professor, Ph.D., 1987, U. Cincinnati; development and evaluation of healthcare simulation training systems and technology, virtual reality systems, and patient safety.
Jeremiah D. Still, Assoc. Professor, Ph.D., 2009, Iowa State University; human-centered authentication interfaces, intuitive design theory, use of computational models of visual saliency to predict fixations within interfaces.
Mary L. Still, Assist. Professor, Ph.D., 2009, Iowa State University; contributions of perception, memory, and experience to intuitive interaction, unobtrusive design, and bicyclist (vulnerable road user) safety.
Yusuke Yamani, Assoc. Professor, Ph.D., 2013, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; mechanisms of attention, human-automation interaction, eye movements of young and older drivers, and operators’ trust toward automated systems.
Xiao Yang, Assist. Professor, Ph.D., 2017, Virginia Tech; neural correlates of human information processing, physiological monitoring of attention, and cognitive aging.
[Updated February 2024]