Engineering Psychology Adv. Cert.

In this engineering psychology program, you’ll explore the interactions between humans and machines, and the science behind human behavior as you prepare for a career in ergonomics, cognition, perception, design, and more.

Overview for Engineering Psychology Adv. Cert.

Engineering psychology focuses on exploring and understanding the relationship between humans and machines. It’s the science of human behavior and our interactions with the technologies that go into the design and operation of machines, equipment, and more.

An Innovative Engineering Psychology Program

The advanced certificate in engineering psychology will expand your core knowledge of engineering psychology by exploring course work in cognition, perception, ergonomics, industrial design, and more. The advanced certificate provides you with formal recognition of your knowledge in engineering psychology and establishes a credential for seeking a career in the human factors or ergonomics fields. Students enrolled in the MS degree in experimental psychology may be awarded the advanced certificate by taking the certificate's required courses as part of their master's program.

What is a Graduate Certificate?

A graduate certificate, also called an advanced certificate, is a selection of up to five graduate-level courses in a particular area of study. It can serve as a stand-alone credential that provides expertise in a specific topic that enhances your professional knowledge base, or it can serve as the entry point to a master's degree. Some students complete an advanced certificate and apply those credit hours later toward a master's degree.

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Curriculum for 2024-2025 for Engineering Psychology Adv. Cert.

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

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Engineering Psychology, advanced certificate, typical course sequence

Course		Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
PSYC-712	Graduate Cognition This course will survey theoretical and empirical approaches to understanding the nature of the mental processes involved in attention, object recognition, learning and memory, reasoning, problem solving, decision-making, and language. The course presents a balance between historically significant findings and current state of-the-art research. Readings that have structured the nature and direction of scientific debate in these fields will be discussed. The course also includes discussions of methodology and practical applications. Students will have opportunities to develop their research skills and critical thinking by designing research studies in cognitive psychology. Seminar (Spring).	3
PSYC-714	Graduate Engineering Psychology In this course the students will learn to recognize the integrated (systems) nature of Engineering Psychology, the centrality of human beings in systems design, and to use the topics covered and the available knowledge base to adapt the environment to people. This course will cover several fundamental models of human information processing in the context of human-system interactions. The models may include but are not limited to Signal Detection Theory, Information Theory, theories of attention, both normative and naturalistic decision-making models, Control Theory, and the Lens Model of Brunswick, as well as models of the human as a physical engine, that is, anthropometry, biomechanics, and work physiology. Most topics include readings in addition to the course text as well as a lab exercise with a detailed lab report. Seminar (Biannual).	3
PSYC-715	Graduate Perception The course is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of topics in perception. This course will be organized such that students will work in groups on various projects as well as covering topics through readings and classroom discussion. The topics may include, but are not limited to: spatial frequency perception; aftereffects, visual illusions and their relationship to cortical function and pattern perception; color perception; depth and motion perception; higher order perception such as face and object recognition; and music and speech perception. The goal is to cover current research and theories in perception, looking at current developments and their antecedents. The course will be divided into various modules. Students will be assigned readings relevant to each section of the course, and will be expected to master the major concepts. Group discussion of the readings will complement lectures where the instructor will present relevant background material. There will also be laboratory time for the students, where they will examine empirical findings in perception, and develop their research skills in the field. Lecture 3 (Biannual).	3
	PSYC Elective or Open Elective*	6
Total Semester Credit Hours		15

* Any graduate level course except PSYC-640, PSYC-642.

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Admissions and Financial Aid

This program is available on-campus only.

Offered	Admit Term(s)	Application Deadline	STEM Designated
Part‑time	Fall, Spring, or Summer	Rolling	No

Part-time study is 1‑8 semester credit hours. RIT will not issue a student visa for advanced certificates.

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Engineering Psychology Adv. Cert. program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

Complete an online graduate application.
Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
Letters of recommendation are optional.
Entrance exam requirements: None
Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required. Details are below.

English Language Test Scores

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.

TOEFL	IELTS	PTE Academic
79	6.5	56

International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.

How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.

A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree