Human Factors & Ergonomics: MS, PHD

Application Deadline

December 15

Review occurs once each year directly following the December 15 deadline. The program’s review process takes from six to eight weeks. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Please note that the Human Factors and Ergonomics Graduate Program deadline precedes Graduate School deadlines.

Fall Admission Only

There is no spring admission. You will be notified via email about funding decisions on average four weeks after you have been accepted into the program.

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Application Materials

All materials must be received by the program's deadline. The program’s review process takes between four and six weeks once the application is complete. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. After faculty review your application, a faculty member may contact you for a follow-up on-line video, or telephone interview.

Materials required for all applicants

  • Complete University of Minnesota Graduate School Application
  • Two selected Human Factors and Ergonomics faculty members with whom you would like to work
  • For MS applicants, an indication of preference between Plan A and Plan C tracks.
  • Strong academic record with a preferred 3.0 GPA
  • Personal statement of your academic and professional goals specifying the area of human factors and ergonomics you would like to study (1–2 pages)
  • Diversity statement (1–2 pages; make the statement relevant for the Diversity of View and Experience Fellowship if applying)
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE scores) 
    • Include your self-reported scores in the University of Minnesota Graduate School Application
    • For scores older than 5 years, upload a copy of your official ETS score report to your application
    • Send scores to the University of Minnesota (school code: 6874) 
  • Three letters of recommendation written by individuals who can judge your academic performance and promise as a student
  • All transcripts
  • Application fee of $75, international students pay $95

For applicants to the PhD

  • A writing sample (PDF file format) authored solely by the applicant that demonstrates the applicant’s writing skills and ability to analyze information and develop an argument and/or conclusion based on the analysis (5,000 words maximum)
  • Samples with multiple authors will not be accepted.

For applicants who are non-native English speakers

  • TOEFL or IELTS scores submitted in PDF file format to the University of Minnesota (school code: 6874)
  • Minimum accepted TOEFL (internet-based) scores are:
    • Total Score: 96    
    • Listening Score: 24    
    • Writing Score: 24    
    • Reading Score: 24    
    • Speaking Score: 24    
  • Minimum accepted IELTS scores are:
    • Total Score: 6.5
    • Writing Subscore: 6.5
    • Reading Subscore: 6.5

NOTE: If you will earn or have earned an undergraduate degree in the United States you do not need to submit English language test scores.

Funding

You will be notified about funding decisions on average four weeks after you have been accepted into the program.

The majority of our graduate students receive some form of financial support. Graduate assistantships in teaching and research are available based on your expertise and the needs of the department. Assistantship offers are made after you have been accepted into the program. A limited number of departmental and university-wide fellowships are available, and awards are made on a competitive basis. Grant-based funding is also available to support research and creative scholarship and to attend conferences to present scholarship.

Questions?