Julie Osland an Assistant Professor of Psychology stated that her department at Wheeling Jesuit University is seriously considering offering a Master's in Experimental Psych. Julie asked several questions. Christopher D. Green replied regarding a general masters degree in Experimental Psychology. Thus, I am going to restrict my comments to a degree in Experimental Psychology focusing on Applied Experimental and Engineering Psychology, Human Factors, and Ergonomics. Returning to Julie's questions, she asked:
1) why would a student consider this degree (not just from our school, but a Master's in Experimental in general? A degree in applied experimental psychology prepares one for an outstanding career designing systems to benefit people and society. To look at just a few examples, people with such degrees may focus on reducing human error in systems, making flying in airplanes and driving cars safer for pilots and passengers alike. Similiarly, people in the field may work on making hospitals, power plants, computer systems and consumer electronics safer, more efficient, and more pleasant for people to use. 2) what are the future demands for such a degree? High. The field appears to be growing... although growth in this field, as well as in many other fields, is of course dependent upon the economy. Currently, there appears to be growth, for example, in applying engineering psychology in medical systems. 3) what is the potential job market for those with this degree? Excellent. Generally speaking jobs are available and well paying too!!!! Paid internships are relatively easy to find too. 4) what are the potential graduate programs available to those who obtain a Master's in Experimental Psych? Please see the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) website graduate program directory at http://www.hfes.org/web/Students/grad_programs.html and the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 21: Division of Applied Experimental and Engineering Psychology Graduate Programs web page http://www.apa.org/divisions/div21/Programs.html 5)I know that the APA does not accredit Master's programs, but is there any standard set of criteria for what those with a Master's in Experimental should be able to/prepared to do? For initial guidance you might refer to the HFES Accreditation Self-Study Report Guide which may be downloaded from the website referenced in question #4. You might also reference the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE) Ergonomist Formation Model at http://bcpe.org/certinfo/certinfo.asp?i=3. Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro Manager, IBM Enterprise Technical Learning Curriculum, IBM Career Services @ RTP and ALAP [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
