Human Factors

Program Description: Master of Science in Human Factors at Tufts University

The Master of Science in Human Factors at Tufts University offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary education designed to prepare students to improve the usability, safety, and overall user experience of complex systems and technologies. This program combines principles from psychology, engineering, design, and computer science to equip students with the skills necessary to analyze human behavior, evaluate system usability, and design interfaces that enhance human performance and well-being. Students will engage in rigorous coursework, hands-on projects, and research activities that emphasize evidence-based design practices, ergonomic principles, and human-centered innovation.

Throughout the program, students will learn to apply human factors methodologies to a variety of domains including healthcare, transportation, defense, consumer products, and digital technology. Emphasis is placed on user research, cognitive workload assessment, interface development, and the evaluation of system performance through usability testing and human-in-the-loop simulations. The curriculum covers core topics such as cognitive psychology, system design, human-computer interaction, data analysis, and experimental research methods, providing a solid foundation for designing systems that are intuitive, accessible, and efficient.

Tufts’ Human Factors program fosters a collaborative learning environment, encouraging interdisciplinary teamwork and real-world problem-solving. Students will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and resources, enabling them to conduct experiments and prototype designs in a supportive setting. The program also offers opportunities for internships and industry partnerships, allowing students to gain practical experience and connect with leading organizations in the field.

Graduates of the Human Factors master's program are well-prepared for careers in industry, government, or academia. They can pursue roles such as user experience designer, usability analyst, human factors engineer, cognitive researcher, or systems analyst. The program’s strong emphasis on research and applied skills ensures that graduates are equipped to develop innovative solutions that improve safety, efficiency, and user satisfaction across a wide range of applications.

In summary, Tufts University’s Master of Science in Human Factors provides a multidisciplinary and application-oriented education that prepares students to address complex human-centered challenges in today's technology-driven world. With a focus on rigorous scientific principles and practical design skills, this program aims to cultivate experts who can lead the development of safer, more effective, and user-friendly systems for diverse industries worldwide.

Candidates are required to complete the equivalent of ten (10) credits to graduate from this program. Full-time MS candidates generally complete their degree requirements in two academic years.

1. Breadth of Technical Exposure (three credits)

   • ENP 162 Human-Machine Systems Design
   • ENP 163 Analytical Methods in Human Factors Engineering
   • Design Course
     • ME 102 Inventive Design
       or
     • ENP 161 Human Factors in Product Design

   Human Factors is an applied field of diverse engineering science fundamentals shaped by areas of application. The purpose of this requirement is to expose the student to the connections between the various sub-disciplines of human factors. Students are required to take the design course after the first semester. All core courses will have an analytical component that is taught as applied to the subject area, a project component, and a software component.

2. Development of Analytical Capabilities (two credits)

   • PSY 107 Advanced Probability and Statistics I
   • PSY 108 Advanced Probability and Statistics II

   The ability to apply statistical analysis to the solution of human factors problems is central to this curriculum. To this end, all MS students are required to take the above courses in the first year.

3. Focus Course Work (two-three credits)

   The remaining courses should be selected by students in consultation with their advisor(s). These elective courses should be relevant to thesis work, and must be at the graduate level (100 or above). The Department recommends a design course as part of the program of study. Taking courses outside of engineering and the sciences are exceptions in this program requiring departmental approval prior to registration; otherwise such courses will not be counted towards the degree requirements.

4. Seminar (no credit)

   • ME 291 ME Graduate Seminar (fall semester)
   • ME 292 ME Graduate Seminar (spring semester)

   Regular attendance at Mechanical Engineering weekly Seminar Series is an integral part of full-time graduate studies. The seminars, held on Thursday afternoons, feature speakers from both inside and outside of Tufts. The seminars provide students and faculty with an opportunity to learn about the latest developments in mechanical engineering research and practice.
   
   All full-time human factors graduate students are required to register for the ME Seminar every semester. As part of this requirement, a student must pass the seminar course by attending at least 80% of the seminars in the semester. Students who pass the seminar will receive an "S" on their transcript; students who fail the seminar will receive a "U" on their transcript.

5. Thesis (two-three credits)

   • ENP 295 MS Thesis (fall semester)
   • ENP 296 MS Thesis (spring semester)

   Preparation of a thesis representing an independent research work is a pivotal phase of the MS degree program. It provides the student with an opportunity to work on an open-ended problem, developing a particular solution that is not pre-determined and involving synthesis of knowledge and intellectual creativity. The thesis may involve an investigation that is fundamental in nature, or may be applied, incorporating theory, experimental testing or analytical modeling, and/or creative design. Through the thesis, candidates are expected to give evidence of competence in research and a sound understanding of the area of specialization involved. Students are also strongly encouraged to present their research at scientific conferences and publish the results of their thesis research in a peer-reviewed journal.

   Students receive a grade of Y (incomplete) in these courses as long as the thesis in progress. Eventual thesis grades replace the incomplete grades upon formal completion of the thesis. In order to receive a grade of Y for ENP 295/296, students must submit a thesis prospectus that outlines the area of work, thesis goals, proposed approach and a review of relevant past work in the literature before the end of the first semester in which the student enrolls in ENP 295/296, typically the third semester of full-time study. An example of a recent MS thesis prospectus can be found in the Mechanical Engineering office.

   Thesis normally counts as 3 credits towards the MS degree requirements. However, a student, with the approval of his/her thesis advisor, has the option to complete a 2 credit thesis by submitting a petition form to the Department. This petition must be signed by the student and the thesis advisor and will become part of the student's academic record. With a 2 credit thesis, a student must complete an extra graduate-level course (for a total of 8 courses) to fulfill the 10-credit requirement for graduation. This option is not typically available to those intending to pursue a PhD degree.
   
   The examining committee for master's candidates completing theses should be composed of three (3) members. The committee chair is normally a full-time, tenure-track faculty member. One committee member must be from outside the student's department.

6. Degree Completion

   The MS thesis is completed upon a successful oral defense, open to the community, and submittal of an approved thesis to the Office of Graduate Studies. The thesis examination committee is composed of at least three members. It includes the thesis advisor, one technical expert outside of the Department, and a third member of the committee, often another faculty member in the Department. The student should consult Graduate Student Handbook for specific dates and deadlines for this process in the graduation semester.
   
   Degree completion and recommendation for the award of the appropriate degree involves a coordinated set of steps within and outside of the Department. In order to ensure completion of all the program requirements, a degree candidate should complete the MS Tracking Form.

   Special Note: As students complete the steps listed below, they should pay careful attention to the deadlines set by the Office of Graduate Studies for submitting a thesis and other degree related work to complete degree requirements in time for August, February or May degrees.

   Step 1: The first step in the process is filing the "Master's Degree Sheet" available on-line and also submitting the Graduate Exit Survey. The student fills out the degree sheet, obtains approval from his/her academic advisor, and submits it to the Department Chair for approval. The Department then sends the approved form to Student Services for processing and retains a copy as part of the student's record. Upon receiving of this form, Student Services places the student on the "Graduate Degree Listing" for the next degree awarding cycle (February, May, or August). Specific due dates for these forms are provided in the Graduate School handbook for the graduation year.

   Step 2: The second step in the process is scheduling and defending the thesis. The student, in consultation with his/her thesis advisor is responsible for selecting the date, the thesis committee and the required room reservation. Ask the department office staff for assistance. The thesis defense is a public presentation open to the entire community. In order to provide adequate time for publicizing this event, the student must inform the department of the impending defense in advance.

   A minimum of ONE WEEK before the defense, the graduating student must provide the department with the following information electronically (via email toBriana Bouchard).

   • Student's Name
   • MS Thesis Title
   • Date, Time, and Place of Thesis Defense
   • Committee Members and Affiliations including identification of thesis advisor(s)
   • 100-200 word Abstract

   In the interest of public presentation, this requirement is strictly enforced and no exception is granted.

   Step 3: Upon a successful defense of the thesis, the third step in the process is finalizing the thesis in accordance with the examining committee's recommendations. The thesis in its final form is submitted electronically along with the appropriate paperwork as per Graduate Student Handbook. The handbook also provides a detailed description of the thesis format and requirements.

7. Degree Continuation

   • ENP 401-PT Part MS Time Continuation
   • ENP 402-FT Full MS Time Continuation

   Students whose research requires work beyond the semesters in which they are registered for MS thesis must register for continuation. A student must be enrolled at Tufts for every semester during the academic year until graduation; otherwise he/she will be administratively withdrawn from the University. A per semester continuation fee is assessed to students who require additional time over the expected completion period - two years for full-time masters programs. Tuition scholarship CANNOT be applied to this fee. An exception to this rule is when a student is granted a leave of absence. International students must have full-time status at all times. International students cannot take a leave of absence and remain in the United States.

   Marching Only Policy at Commencement: Engineering students are allowed to march at Commencement if they have only one lecture course credit remaining to fulfill all degree requirements. All thesis and project requirements must be completed and approved in order to be allowed to march in Commencement.

1. Online application for admission
2. Scanned copies of all college transcripts
3. Letters of Recommendation: one for certificate programs, two for the engineering management program, and three for all other degree programs
4. Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
5. Personal statement elaborating on your reasons for wanting to pursue graduate study at Tufts
6. Application fee of $85 
7. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
8. Achieved competitive scores on both the verbal and quantitative reasoning sections of the GRE
9. Applicants who are not native speakers of English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum TOEFL score of 90 on the internet based exam is required for M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. applicants, and a minimum score of 85 is required for M.F.A. applicants. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5. 
10. A key admission requirement is strong academic background in mechanical engineering or a related technical discipline. The department also requires all applicants to submit their recent General Record Examination (GRE) scores. 

Scholarships

For students who show scholarly promise, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering offer scholarships, fellowships, and research or teaching assistantships to full-time students in doctoral programs. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences also offers awards to full-time students in master’s programs. Certificate students are not eligible for these awards.

• Tuition Scholarships are available in most master's and doctoral programs for qualified students.
• Teaching Assistantships are offered by most departments.
• Research Assistantships are generally available in the science and engineering areas.
• Fellowships are offered to students who demonstrate outstanding records of achievement and a well-articulated plan of study.

The Human Factors program at Tufts University offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding how humans interact with technology, environments, and systems. The program integrates principles from psychology, engineering, design, and computer science to prepare students for careers that improve safety, usability, and user experience across various industries. Students learn to analyze human capabilities and limitations, develop ergonomic solutions, and design effective interfaces and systems tailored to human needs. The curriculum includes courses in cognitive psychology, human-computer interaction, user-centered design, perceptual and motor systems, and research methods. Practical experiences such as laboratory work, project-based learning, and internships are integral components, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems. Graduates of the Human Factors program are typically equipped to work in sectors like healthcare, aerospace, defense, information technology, and consumer electronics, contributing to safer and more efficient systems. The program emphasizes research and innovation, encouraging students to contribute to advancements in human-centered design and technology. With a strong foundation in both theoretical principles and practical application, Tufts' Human Factors graduates are well-positioned to meet the growing demand for professionals skilled in optimizing human performance and interaction with complex systems.