Doctor of Philosophy in Human-Centered Design

Florida Tech has more than 30 years of experience educating engineering, science, technology, and management professionals to become skilled experts in a variety of unique and interdisciplinary fields. One such field is the growing discipline of human-centered design. With a PhD in human-centered design from Florida Tech, graduates prepare themselves to work in high-tech environments tackling complex challenges in product development, industrial design, integrated systems, and organizational analysis. This involves expertise in life-critical systems, modeling and simulation, human factors, usability and cognitive engineering, and more. With a focus on creativity, innovation, and sustainable solutions, graduates design, analyze, and evaluate complex interconnected systems for today's 21st century companies.

Human-centered design students work with some of the most well-respected names in science and technology including NASA, Boeing, SESAR (Europe), and Areva. Graduates are immediately ready to step into design and leadership roles at high-tech firms, advance in their current position, or start their own business. The US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs will remain steady for graduates with human-centered design expertise. Designers who work with precision instruments and medical equipment are some of the industries with higher-than-average job growth. Jobs can also be found in high-tech firms working on designing advanced cockpits, ergonomics, equipment usability, safety systems, control rooms, educational tools, simulators, and new living environments.

Admission to doctoral study is granted to qualified students on a limited basis who have successfully completed master’s degrees in engineering, physical or computer science, or mathematics from regionally accredited institutions. The program is ideally suited for applicants with a strong interest in human and social science or the arts. Applicants with a demonstrated background in industry and academia are eligible and prior experience is highly recommended.

The applicant must have a master’s degree cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale and a minimum score of 1100 on the GRE. International applicants must score 100 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL.

Students whose home language is not English are considered to have demonstrated English language proficiency if they have accomplished any of the following: an International applicants must score 100 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL; or an IELTS with an earned score of at least 6.0; or a PTE Academic with an earned score of at least 58; or a Cambridge English: Advanced with an earned score of at least 180 (Grade of C); or a Duolingo English Test with an earned score of at least 100; ELS English for Academic Purposes level 112.

Application Deadlines: Fall: July 1st; Spring: November 1st.