Ph.D. Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology

Mission Statement

The HFC Doctoral Program’s overall goals are to:

Train and educate leaders in Psychology at the doctoral level within the scientist-practitioner tradition
Facilitate the exploration and understanding of the complexity of human behavior while expanding our collective knowledge base through multiple avenues (e.g., publications in scientific journals, conference presentations, teaching)
Strive to improve the health and quality of life of individuals through excellence in education as well as in research and practice in human-technology interaction.

The overall philosophy that drives these goals is embodied in the policy statement that emerged from the National Conference on Scientist-Practitioner Education and Training for the Professional Practice of Psychology held in Gainesville, Florida on January 16-20, 1990. The training model of the HFC Doctoral Program reflects our efforts to educate students so that they can advance psychological knowledge through research and scholarship, and to evaluate the impact of training regimens and interface designs using empirically derived methods and procedures. The model also strives to help students learn how to think critically and scientifically about problems while invoking the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct. The overall philosophy of the training program is consistent with that of the Mission Statement of the Department, the College of Sciences, the Graduate School, and the University.

Program Description

A Ph.D. professional’s degree track in Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology, accredited by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, is offered to those with a baccalaureate or master’s degree in psychology or an allied area. The track seeks to develop the capacity to design, conduct, and apply human factors and cognitive psychology research in a variety of professional settings. It is patterned on the scientist-practitioner model of the American Psychological Association (APA) and adheres to guidelines established by the committee for Education and Training of APA’s Division 21 (Applied Experimental and Engineering Psychology). A variety of research, consulting, and internship arrangements are included in the track. Students receive training in the content and techniques of human factors and cognitive psychology–including statistical and quantitative procedures, experimental design, survey methods, computer techniques, and other research methodologies. Students also select a concentration area, which may be in human-computer interaction, human-machine-environment interface, human performance, human factors in simulation and training, or other areas of interest with the adviser’s authorization. A dissertation representing a significant research contribution to the field is required.

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. is designed to be obtained in 4-5 years of full-time study from the baccalaureate level and in 3-4 years from the master’s level. (A minimum of one year full-time student status is required.) For students who enter with a baccalaureate degree, the program requires 75 semester hours minimum. Students who enter with a master’s degree may be granted up to 30 hours of transfer credit with approval of the program faculty, and will also be required to complete a minimum of 60 semester hours at UCF.

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For the Fall 2025 admissions cycle, submission of GRE scores is required.