Graduate student fitting a cap with wires on an older participant in a study.

Tomorrow Needs You. Are You Ready?

Receive a graduate education from an accredited institution.

Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors—MS, PhD

Humans meet machines – every day. At Michigan Technological University, we unite both sides of the equation in a variety of settings, including driving, robotics, automation, STEM education, medicine, military, and video games. Our curriculum develops scholars and practitioners who improve human-machine systems through theoretically grounded instruction and technological design. Join us to improve performance, health, decisions, and safety where people interact with technology. Are you ready?

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

Program Overview

Our master's and doctorate in applied cognitive science and human factors program focuses on meeting real-world challenges with scientific and evidence-based solutions. The result of getting the psychology right is better technical solutions that are easier to learn and more people adopt. Some examples of projects you’ll work on include decision tools for disaster response, auditory graphs for students who are blind, computational models of experts, in-vehicle motion detection, tools to support cognitive aging, and medical decision-making surrogates.

Delivery Options
- Accelerated: MS
- On-Campus: MS, PhD

Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors Program Details

Choose a specific degree option or delivery type to learn more about the applied cognitive science and human factors program at Michigan Tech. For international students, Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors is a designated STEM program.

On-Campus Programs

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.

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

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.

Additional Program Information

Want to learn more about applied cognitive science and human factors at Michigan Tech? Visit the department for more information:

Contact

Graduate Director

Kevin Trewartha

Graduate Assistant

Sample Areas of Interest

Select areas of interest to help customize your applied cognitive science and human factors MS and PhD. Sample areas include:

Applied Ethics
Attention
Cognitive Engineering and Decision Making
Experimental Philosophy

View full listing for this program

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.

Who You'll Work With

The interdisciplinary Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors (ACSHF) program is collaborative and integrates the expertise of psychologists, engineers, philosophers, computer scientists, and usability specialists. Faculty research takes them across the country and into the field. Active research programs have been funded by NSF, NIH, DOT, Michigan Department of Education, DOD, and industry partners.

Where You'll Work

Go inside our state-of-the-art laboratories, where you’ll find robots, driving simulators, video-game consoles, eye movement and motion tracking systems, physiological measurement tools, and experimental development software that supports both academic and research development.

Faculty Spotlight

Kevin M. Trewartha

Kevin M. Trewartha
Associate Professor,
Psychology and Human Factors

"There is an intimate link between motor behavior and cognitive function."

Using a robot and virtual reality displays, Trewartha examines neurodegenerative disease as revealed by motor behavior when learning a novel task. "You can see differences in motor behavior and performance that are indicative of cognitive decline and aging, even in individuals who we would say are normal with cognitive and neurological tests.

Program Faculty