Any time you interact with a new electronic device, chances are you’re seeing the results of a human factors and engineering psychologist. Engineering psychologists typically get their start with advanced degrees, such as the online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Applied Psychology – Clinical Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology.
Human factors and engineering psychologists use their knowledge of how the human brain functions and engineering processes to help design products we use every day, such as global positioning systems, cell phones and life-saving medical equipment. Their goal is to create products that are easy to use based on how the brain processes information.
What Are Engineering Psychology Job Responsibilities?
Many career paths are available within this particular field of psychology, as human factors and engineering psychologists study how humans interact with machines, tasks and their environment. In this branch of psychology, you could have the chance to work in many different environments, like software development, the aviation industry and the medical field.
They may have titles like “user experience researcher” or “user experience architect.” Some with doctoral degrees may go on to work in post-secondary education and teach courses in applied psychology, or become researchers and work on experiments and enhance their understanding of the field.
Required Skills for Success for Engineering Psychologists
Is human factors and engineering psychology right for you? Human factors and engineering psychologists require many different skills to succeed in their field, but some of the skills needed are:
- Understanding how the human brain reacts in different situations
- Comprehending how various devices and products work
- Performing research on a regular basis
- Communicating clearly with co-workers, programmers and product engineers
- Writing and presenting well
- Flexibility in switching tasks quickly
- Interacting with multifaceted teams
How to Become an Engineering Psychologist: Job Outlook, Education Requirements and Salary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide specific data on human factors and engineering psychologists; however, the field of psychology is expected to grow by 7% from 2023 to 2033. The average salary for psychologists in May 2024 was $94,310, with the potential for higher earnings depending on factors such as job location or work experience.
Most human factors and engineering psychologists begin with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and go on to earn a master’s degree, typically a two-year commitment, and a doctorate degree, an additional four-year requirement. Also, many will study not only psychology but also engineering to gain a better understanding of how the two disciplines can be integrated. Certification is also an option in addition to the degrees, but you should determine the requirements for your state. Regardless of whether you pursue a career as an engineering psychologist or another role, such as psychologist staff assistant or residential supervisor, the BA in Applied Psychology – Clinical Psychology online program at Florida Tech equips you for success.
Learn more about Florida Tech’s online BA in Applied Psychology – Clinical Psychology program.
