Human factors in Information design === ## Overview: I have been searching the HF in UX and how they are related, I was able to have an upper look on how it would be like to get yourself in a Master Degree studies in the program. I collected some of the opinions I went through, most of them were positive about doing that study, hopefully they will bring comfort to you. I was also seeking for Universities that actually have HF Master degree programs and found a few. ## Opinions. Some of the Positive opinions about such a step, there was almost 0 negative ones, but included one after 'WHILE' that, in a particular perspective of view doesn't advice to go for it. > - I'd say that you should go for it if you are open to the whole field of UX / HF (I always call it 'Psychology applied to Product Dev') - however, if you want to focus on web-based, "classic" UX jobs, I'd rather advise you to go into HCI. > - As a UX professional and Human Factors student I would say that the Human Factors degree definitely helped to gain knowledge of usability, ergonomics and research methods. However (as with any academic program) there is a lot of stuff that you do not really need when you work in UX industry. If it´s just about the knowledge and not about the degree on your CV, I would recommend to read some relevant books and particpate in online classes. And very important: try to gain as much professional experience as possible. And network! Doing real projects, working in agencies, having a portfolio and relevant contacts counts so much more than a master´s degree. If you want to pursue your academic career I also think that a degree in Interaction Design or Information Architecture would be more suitable for your work as an UX Designer. > - HF will definitely help you understand the man-machine-environmental ecosystem which, in turn, will help in better 'designing' of products and systems - and even organisations. While: > - Do you need a MS in Human Factors to work in UX? Not at all. You need a portfolio / school projects to get into entry level. A degree in my opinion will help you get resources from the campus. When you're a student, you can use that as a reason to gain internships to major corporations. Even with a HF degree, you might be put into UX Research world than a design field since grad programs focus a lot on theory and research. (This is not actually a negative feedback, but it's concerned more about what kind of UX you are willing to work with, design? behavior & experience itself? ...etc) ## Universities and Preferrability. Searching google, and discovering profiles at Linkedin (50-60 Profiles Approx.) I found that most of the graduates for that degree came from Bentley University, found it really hard to have more to add in the list. From my understanding to why you actually wanna study this, Found some other programs that are not specially connected, but I guess [worth a look](https://www.usertesting.com/blog/top-ux-graduate-degree-programs/). 1. [Bentley University - Massachusetts](https://www.bentley.edu/academics/graduate-programs/masters-human-factors) --- [Curriculum](https://catalog.bentley.edu/graduate/programs/mba-ms-programs/ms-human-factors-design-california-online/) 2. [Brunel University - London](https://www.brunel.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/Brunel-University-launches-MSc-in-Human-Centred-Design) --- [Institute](http://hcdi.brunel.ac.uk/research/ergonomic.aspx) ## Linkedin: Found a very good number of those who have MS in Human Factors in Information Design, just [around at](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=Human%20Factors%20In%20Information%20Design&origin=GLOBAL_SEARCH_HEADER). Other possible related searches: - [UX Research Analyst](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=ux%20research%20analyst&origin=SUGGESTION) - [UX for Organaizational Development](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=ux%20for%20organizational%20development&origin=SUGGESTION)