• You should enjoy empirical and methodical research, including statistics, experimentation, and data analysis
• You should be motivated to expand your level of knowledge in the field of psychology (e.g., in perception, cognition, research)
• You should have an interest in experimental and application-oriented research in the field of Human Factors research
• You should be ready to think across disciplines and work together with engineers, computer scientists, or representatives from other technical disciplines
• You should be open to ethical, societal, and design-oriented questions related to human-technology interactions
• You should have an interest in automated processes and their impact on human behavior
• You should be motivated to expand your level of knowledge in the field of psychology (e.g., in perception, cognition, research)
• You should be interested in how to design simple, safe, and user-friendly technology
• You should be curious about fields of application such as AI, robotics, virtual reality, drones, and driver-automated vehicle interaction

• Proof of a bachelor’s degree in psychology from a higher education institution in Germany or an equivalent degree obtained in Germany or abroad in a subject area that does not differ significantly
• Passing a subject-specific scholastic aptitude test.

If you have not yet received your bachelor’s degree certificate by the application deadline, but have earned at least 135 credits in your bachelor’s program, you must apply by the set deadline with a transcript (certified copy issued by your university) of all coursework and exams completed to date, including your average grade to date.

Applicants who have not obtained a university entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution or a degree in a German-speaking course must provide proof of sufficient German language skills. These must correspond to the level DSH-2 of the “German Language Proficiency Examination for Admission to Higher Education for Foreign Applicants” and must be proven by the time of enrollment at JGU.

Good to know: The legally binding basis for selection, admission and enrollment is the text of the entrance requirements as specified in Section 2 of the currently valid examination regulations and, where applicable, in the appendix.

You can find more information in the examination regulations.

Introduction to Human Factors

• Perceptual and cognitive fundamentals of Human Factors
• Product ergonomics, human-machine interactions, and resilience engineering
• Wide range of fields of application
• Fundamentals seminar as a stepping stone for further specialization
• Special topical and design seminars

Consolidation of Fundamentals

• Choice of two seminars from basic psychological disciplines
• Content beyond the level of knowledge from the bachelor’s level
• Flexible combinations, even within one discipline
• Promotion of professional competence in the English language

Advanced Statistical Methods

• Planning an experiment and multivariate statistical data analysis
• Working with generalized linear models, mixed models, and multilevel and longitudinal analysis
• Computer-supported, software-oriented teaching with R
• Work in small groups with a tutor
• Independent, hypothesis-driven data analyses and portfolio documentation

Advanced Diagnostics

• Writing and communicating psychological assessments
• Advanced test construction and test evaluation
• Application of modern test theories
• Practice-oriented work in small groups
• Independent assessment and test report (graded)

Clinical Psychology Across the Life Span

• Neuroscientific fundamentals of clinical psychology
• Development of psychological disorders across the life span
• Therapy concepts based on etiology
• Options to specialize in clinical or health psychology

Project Work

• At least six weeks of practical work
• Insights into professional fields of application
• Acquisition of practical experience and contacts in professional fields
• Students can be integrated into ongoing practical projects

Minor

• Individual focus on related disciplines
• Options are (among others) medicine, economics, law, or sports science

Internship

• At least six weeks of practical work
• Insights into professional fields of application
• Acquisition of practical experience and contacts in professional fields
• Students can be integrated into ongoing practical projects

Consolidation of Applied Skills

• Choice of a seminar from applied psychological disciplines
• Individual supplementation and profile building in the master’s degree program

Master’s Thesis

• Independent empirical research on a research question
• Planning from the 3rd semester onward, completion in the 4th semester
• Support via the accompanying master’s degree colloquium
• Presentation and discussion in the final oral examination
• Can be done as group work; this is recommended if the project structure is suitable

You have a wide range of options for adapting this program of study to your individual needs. You will choose two seminars for expanding your knowledge of the fundamentals and two seminars for deepening your knowledge of applications, all from a wide range of courses which cover different perspectives in the fields of psychology, Human Factors, engineering psychology, and adjacent disciplines.

In addition, a minor of your choice, such as in the fields of computer science, law, economics, or a different field, can help you build your individual profile or expand your skills in a particular field.

Internships

In the third semester, you will complete an internship lasting at least six weeks in a psychological field. This will help you acquire further practical experience in the professional field and expand your professional network.

This program of study does not include a mandatory internship. However, voluntary internships are a great way to gain insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

Human Factors and engineering psychology are increasingly in demand on the job market. As a graduate of this program, you will possess comprehensive and practice-oriented specialist knowledge related to user friendliness, the evaluation of human/technology systems, data analysis, interface design, and human-centered design. This opens up many exciting career opportunities for you, such as:

User Experience (UX) researcher

• Development of concepts for user-friendly systems
• Identification of users’ needs and carrying out corresponding user studies
• Analysis of user feedback and evaluation of applications

User Experience (UX) designer

• Practical implementation of concepts/prototypes for user-friendly interfaces
• Implementation of users’ needs into the design of the product
• Implementation of concepts using appropriate design software

Traffic psychologist

• Conducting studies to better understand traffic behavior and draw conclusions for how to improve road safety
• Analyze users’ needs and requirements for assistance systems
• Research into the causes of accidents and development of strategies for prevention in collaboration with engineers and urban planners
• Analysis of accidents and development of strategies for prevention
• Ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in transportation
• Designing user interfaces in vehicles • Increasing the ergonomics of user interfaces in vehicles
• Development of driver assistance systems such as lane departure warning systems

However, a variety of other professional fields are also open to you, such as work and system ergonomics, research and development at universities, institutes, or in the industry, product development, and market research at service companies or the manufacturers of technical systems.

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.