Program Overview

Human Factors and Ergonomics Master's Degree Program

The cross-disciplinary Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) M.S. degree is supported through the university's Graduate Studies and Research Program. Students can choose between two tracks of study; one centered around human-computer interaction, the other with human-system integration in workplace and production design.

Program Overview

The HFE program allows students to pursue areas of specialization that interest them across SJSU's many colleges and schools of study. Students can choose a specialization in human-system integration and design from a computational engineering perspective, software engineering, as well as physical biodynamic and ergonomic perspectives. They can also focus on the integration of humans in architectural systems to organizational and group behavior in business and manufacturing settings.

Location and Industry Connections

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the SJSU HFE program enjoys extensive and significant interaction with information technology from chip production to web design. The HFE faculty and many of our alumni have wide-ranging connections to the valley's industry and research opportunities.

Program Cornerstone

The hallmark of our program is a strong theory-based core of education combined with wide availability for specialization, and strong integration into information technology and associated industries and governmental research centers to provide internship, and research support for students. MS-HFE program is a STEM program, and is fully accredited by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

Student Outcomes

Upon completion of their degree, students will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of the sciences of human factors and workplace ergonomics
• Design and conduct experiments
• Analyze and interpret data
• Design a system, component or process to meet accepted human factors and workplace ergonomics standards within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
• Function on multi-disciplinary teams
• Identify, formulate, and solve human factors and ergonomics problems

Additional Skills and Knowledge

In addition, students will gain an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility, be able to communicate effectively and have the broad education necessary to understand the impact of human factors and workplace ergonomics solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context. Students will also have a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning and the knowledge of contemporary issues. Not to mention the ability to use the techniques, skills and modern human factors and workplace ergonomics tools necessary for professional practice.

Admissions

The admissions process includes learning about our admissions processes, requirements and the documents needed to apply.

Education Tracks

The program offers a variety of track ideas open to prospective students, including an emphasis on cognitive psychology to human performance.

Graduation Requirements

The graduation application process and forms, as well as key dates and deadlines, are available for review.

Final Project/Thesis

Prior to submitting a final project or thesis, students must review the registration policies and procedures.

Past Projects and Theses

Past projects and theses submitted by alumni are available for review, showcasing the interesting and insightful work completed by students in the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

A frequently asked questions page is available to answer common questions about the Human Factors/Ergonomics M.S. program.