Program Overview

Introduction to the Ph.D. in Human-Centered Design

The Ph.D. in Human-Centered Design at Florida Tech is a research-driven program that focuses on high-tech and hands-on learning. With over 30 years of experience in educating professionals in engineering, science, technology, and management, Florida Tech is well-equipped to provide students with the skills and expertise needed to succeed in this field.

Program Overview

The Ph.D. in Human-Centered Design program prepares graduates to work in high-tech environments, tackling complex challenges in product development, industrial design, integrated systems, and organizational analysis. The program involves expertise in life-critical systems, modeling and simulation, human factors, usability and cognitive engineering, and more. With a focus on creativity, innovation, and sustainable solutions, graduates design, analyze, and evaluate complex interconnected systems for today's 21st-century companies.

Experienced Faculty

The program's faculty members are experienced and respected in their fields, providing students with a customized curriculum that includes independent study, research, and fieldwork in a cross-disciplinary approach. This approach encourages creative thinking and innovative solutions to real-world problems.

Specialization Options

Students earning a Ph.D. in Human-Centered Design can specialize in a particular area of interest, such as:

• Cognitive engineering
• Advanced interaction media
• Modeling and simulation
• Organizational design and management
• Life-critical systems
• Complexity analysis

Research Programs and Facilities

Through the School of Human-Centered Design, Innovation, and Art, students have access to a hands-on learning culture that supports real-world problem-solving in design, engineering, and technology. Research activities are available in various areas, including aeronautics, space, nuclear energy, and education. State-of-the-art laboratories and instrumentation facilities provide students with the tools needed to conduct in-depth studies in control, complex systems design, big data management, visualization (including 3D printing capabilities), tangible interactive objects, and development.

Career Preparation

Graduates of the Ph.D. in Human-Centered Design program are immediately ready to step into design and leadership roles at high-tech firms, advance in their current position, or start their own business. The program's strong industry connections, including partnerships with companies like NASA, Boeing, and SESAR (Europe), provide students with valuable networking opportunities and access to cutting-edge research and development. According to the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for graduates with human-centered design expertise are expected to remain steady, with higher-than-average job growth in industries such as precision instruments and medical equipment.