Requirements
The Department of Psychology admits only students who plan to complete the PhD. Students may enter with a previous MS degree or earn an MS along the way. Students entering the program without an MS are required by NC State to complete a minimum of 36 hours of coursework for the MS and another 36 hours for the PhD. Students entering with an MS are required by NC State to complete 54 hours for their doctorate.
All Human Factors and Ergonomics doctoral students complete courses in statistics, ethics, research methods, cognition, perception, human factors, and inter-disciplinary studies in addition to various seminars. Courses outside of core requirements may be taken to meet university requirements or to satisfy individual educational needs upon approval of the Graduate Advisory Committee.
Students are expected to develop research skills through a first year research project, class research projects, thesis research, dissertation research, and additional research projects. Conference participation and publications are highly encouraged.
Students are also expected to apply research skills by working in industry, government, or other institutional settings either prior to or during their stay in the department. This may involve part-time placement during the academic year or summer, or be satisfied by previous work experience.
The Human Factors and Ergonomics Program Requirements Document outlines course requirements and provides a sample degree plan including thesis and dissertation work.
