Online Master of Research (MRes) in Human Factors

Earn an Online Master of Research in Human Factors to gain the expertise needed to improve user experience, reduce human error, and optimize future products and systems.

At its core, the area of human factors is about understanding how people interact with the systems and products they use daily. Human factors professionals bridge the gap between human behavior and machine efficiency – and directly impact a product or system’s success by enhancing the technology experience, reducing human error, studying ergonomics, and improving overall performance.

The Online Master of Research (MRes) in Human Factors is a research-intensive program for current working professionals with relevant experience who want to delve deeper into the nuances of human factors and contribute to making our world more efficient, safe, and inclusive.

As an MRes student, you will conduct original research in an area of interest under the guidance of a dedicated thesis chair. Upon graduation, you will have published work that explores new ground in the area of Human Factors. 

What you’ll gain with an MRes in Human Factors: 

• In-depth interdisciplinary human factors knowledge across psychology, engineering, design, ergonomics, and more 
• Exposure to the academic publishing process and practical research experience
• Specialized expertise in your area of interest
• Practical experience applying human factors frameworks to current issues 
• In-demand job skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication of complex concepts 
• Enhanced career prospects in academia, research institutions, and advanced leadership roles across industries 
• A mindset for continuous learning in a rapidly evolving, in-demand field 
• The chance to contribute to societal progress and build new knowledge in an evolving area
   

The Online MRes in Human Factors creates pathways to exciting career avenues in traditional and unexpected industries. Human factors principles can be applied to a broad range of domains, such as enhancing the user experience of everyday products like smartphones, improving safety and efficiency in work environments, and optimizing the design and operation of complex systems like aircraft control systems. 

An MRes in Human Factors prepares you to lead in these roles:  

• Chief Human Factors Officer 
• Human Factors Engineer
• User Experience (UX) Designer
• User Interface (UI) Designer 
• Ergonomist
• Senior Product Designer 
• Usability Specialist 
• Engineering Psychologist 
• Safety Scientist 
• Systems Engineer
• Industrial Psychologist 
• Cognitive Engineer 
• Human Factors Researcher
• Human Factors Professor 

Our graduates apply their expertise as subject matter experts in senior roles at commercial companies across industries, as well as academia and government agencies such as the Department of Defense (DoD), the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, and NASA. Many of our graduates pursue doctoral degrees, such as Capitol Tech’s PhD in Human Factors.

Characteristics of an MRes 

The MRes is a research-intensive degree designed for professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in a specific field with practical research experience to gain an edge in the job market, or before starting a PhD program. 

Students pursue an MRes degree to:  

• Gain practical research experience 
• Enhance their expertise in a specific area
• Advance their careers by learning in-demand skills
• Contribute original research to evolving fields of knowledge 
• Prepare for doctorate programs 

The MRes in Human Factors program equips you with a unique skill set in a rapidly evolving, in-demand discipline that allows you to directly impact the success of products and systems. The program’s flexibility allows you to balance your studies and career, as well as structure your research around your interests and needs. By the program’s completion, you will have produced, presented, and defended your MRes thesis, with the opportunity to contribute new knowledge and ideas in this rapidly evolving field. 

Career Opportunities

Market Demand for Human Factors Expertise

Many multinational companies now recognize the need for user-friendly designs and efficient systems, driving the demand for professionals with human factors expertise. As our society becomes more tech-centric, understanding human-machine interactions has become paramount. Virtually every industry today, be it automotive, aerospace, healthcare, software design, and more, seeks to optimize its systems and products to cater to human behavior, needs, and satisfaction.

Human factors professionals are impacting products and systems of all kinds, from designing safer, more efficient medical equipment to improving the interface of a smartphone app to enhancing the ergonomic layout of workspaces. A degree in this dynamic field of study ensures applicable skills development across all industries, with important and innovative contributions to the discipline.