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Why Choose Industrial and Human Factors Engineering?
Ever wondered...
- How NBA schedules are generated?
- How airline crew and gates are assigned?
- Why do your grandparents have a hard time with technology?
- How do your online orders get delivered to you?
- Why smartphones and tablets are easy to work with?
They are the industrial and human factors engineers who make all of the above—and much more—possible.
Industrial and Human Factors Engineering (IHE), a highly customizable degree in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, prepares working professionals towards effective design and operation of a variety of systems in healthcare, manufacturing, aerospace, distribution, retail, and many others. While industrial engineers utilize the tools of simulation, optimization, computing, and statistics to design and improve modern technology-laden systems, human factors engineers design systems that effectively integrate human abilities/limitations and machines/tools.
Because students enrolled in the program are diverse in both geography and work profile, eligible students can complete the M.S.I.H.E. degree entirely online.
The BIE department offers both a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in Engineering focus area in IHE. The Master of Industrial and Human Factors Engineering program has a non-thesis alternative in addition to the traditional thesis option. Students choose their coursework in one of four available focus areas: Decision Analytics, Logistics and Supply Chain, Human Factors and Ergonomics, and Neuroengineering. All focus areas offer hands-on courses and laboratories in state-of-the-art research facilities in the Russ Engineering Center and the Neuroscience Engineering Collaboration Building.
Why Study IHE at Wright State?
- Unique features:
- Peer mentoring
- SCALE-Up classrooms
- Student success center
- Strong inclusive culture
- Experiential learning (industry tours, guest lectures, workshops)
- Distance learning option (entire M.S.I.H.E. degree can be distance, if eligible)
- Practical class projects, internships/co-ops
- Gold Certified Student Club: Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers
- Attend regional and national conferences
- Leadership and networking opportunities
- Fun activities and socials
- Intramural volleyball champions
- Access to educational resources
Career Prospects
Explore the latest employment and wage data for Industrial and Systems Engineering.
Careers
The demand for industrial and human factors engineers is very high, with graduates hired in industry, government agencies, industrial research and development, and consulting firms. Industrial and human factors engineering is consistently listed as one of the most satisfying career areas in national surveys, as well as one with many job openings in the region.
Our graduates work as:
- Process/manufacturing/quality engineer
- Usability/user experience professional
- Operations/management/data/business analyst
Job Outlook
- Operations Research Analyst ranked #5 Best Business Jobs by U.S. News & World Report
- Starting salaries around $65,000–$80,000
- Over three times more job postings than other engineering disciplines
Our graduates are employed by:
- Honda
- Cardinal Health
- Kroger
- Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
- Siemens
- LexisNexis
- KTH Parts Industries
- Vantiv
- WestRock
- General Electric
- Boeing
- DP&L
Famous Industrial and Human Factors Engineers
- Tim Cook - CEO, Apple Inc.
- Michael Eskew - Board of Directors, 3M and IBM, former CEO of UPS
- Joe Forehand - Chairman, First Data Corp, and previously Accenture
- Linda Hudson - Former President and CEO of BAE Systems, Inc.
- William H. Swanson - Chairman, Raytheon Co.
- Brian Betts - VP of operations, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
- Edward Whitacre, Jr. - Former chairman, General Motors
- Bud Adams - Former owner, Tennessee Titans
- Joe Girardi - manager, Philadelphia Phillies
Success Stories
“The MS in IHE program at WSU helped me to get practical experience with real-world problems and taught me all the necessary skillsets to solve those real-world problems. My thesis was about optimizing surgery scheduling at a VA Medical Center and I gained significant experience and knowledge in optimization after completing my thesis. The only experience I had on my resume was my thesis and I got my first job in marketing just based on the tools and techniques I used in my thesis. |
“I started my Master’s degree at Wright a State as soon as I got on active duty. With my long hours and unpredictable work schedule, I knew I needed to be mainly a distance student. For me, Wright State’s online option was the obvious choice. I would be able to enjoy the convenience of online classes while also receiving an A+ education. The teachers were so accommodating with my schedule; and, since I live so close to the school, I was able to meet with them on a regular basis and even attend some classes in-person when my schedule allowed. |
Academics and Curriculum
View the Master of Industrial and Human Factors Engineering program information and degree requirements in the Academic Catalog.
advisor
Dr. Robert A. Myers
robert.a.myers@wright.edu
Focus Areas:
Logistics and Supply Chain
Provides the student with a background in both theory and application of systems-based modeling, manufacturing design, and continuous improvement. Emphasis is placed on inventory theory, forecasting, warehousing, and network design.
19 Credit hours of required courses – 11 Credit hours minimum elective courses*:
- IHE 6150 – Probability and Statistics
- IHE 6711 – Optimization methods
- IHE 6712 – Simulation & Stochastic Models
- IHE 7820 – Engineering Supply Chain Systems
- IHE 6300 – Fundamentals of Human Factors Engineering
- IHE 6810 – Production & Service Systems
Human Factors Course – Select one of the following:
- IHE 6820 – Supply Chain Analysis & Design
- IHE 6320 – Human-System Interaction and Design Thinking Principles
- IHE 7300 - Research Methods in Human Factors Engineering
Human Factors and Ergonomics
Provides the student with a background in usability, interface design, systems modeling, and human performance. Emphasis is placed on human-computer interaction and experimental methods as they relate to the design, development, and analysis of systems such as petrochemical industries, military domain, and healthcare. With an option to get a Certificate in User Experience and Design Thinking you will learn in-demand skills that will have you job-ready in less than 1 year.
15 Credit hours of required courses – 15 Credit hours minimum of elective courses*:
- IHE 6150 – Probability and Statistics
- IHE 6300 – Fundamentals of Human Factors Engineering
- IHE 6320 – Human-System Interaction and Design Thinking Principles
- IHE 7010 – Understanding & Aiding Human Decision Making
DATA SCIENCE
Provides the student with a background in both theory and application of data science and engages in the design of artificial intelligence systems and visualization of data, providing a critical understanding of the role that humans play through the data processing pipeline. Emphasis is placed on artificial intelligence/machine learning applications, healthcare, and retail analytics.
16 Credit hours of required courses - 14 Credit hours minimum of elective courses*:
- IHE 6150 – Probability and Statistics
- IHE 6711 – Optimization methods
- IHE 6712 – Simulation & Stochastic Model
- IHE 7510 – Data Mining
Human Factors course – select one of the following:
- IHE 6300 – Fundamentals of Human Factors Engineering
- IHE 6320 – Human-System Interaction and Design Thinking Principles
- IHE 7300 - Research Methods in Human Factors Engineering
* A list of electives can be found at Master of Science in Industrial and Human Factors Engineering Program Information and Requirements (PDF)
Admission
Entrance Requirements
- GPA of at least 2.7 in undergraduate coursework.
- GRE is optional but not required (For applications received after August 1, 2025, the GRE will be required.)
- A year of calculus and a computer programming class is required.
Individuals not meeting the above entrance requirements may begin MSIHE coursework as a non-degree student while they complete required calculus and/or computer programming courses at Wright State. These classes can also be completed at another university or community college.
Coursework taken while in non-degree status is governed by WSU Policy 5010.5.
How to Apply
Graduate students should apply for admission through Wright State's Graduate School.
