Engineering Psychology

Major

Engineering psychology is an empirically based discipline that teaches cadets to apply their knowledge of human physical and cognitive capabilities and limitations to assess, improve and/or design efficient procedures, equipment, applications, and interfaces.

Offered by the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership.

Are you fascinated by how people think, make decisions, or interact with technology? Do you want to make systems, tools, and environments safer and more effective - especially for soldiers in high-stress missions? The Engineering Psychology major at the United States Military Academy at West Point is a unique blend of psychology, engineering, and design, focused on optimizing the performance of people and systems together.

It’s the perfect major for students who enjoy both science and people - and want to lead with a deep understanding of how humans think, act, and react under pressure.

What is Engineering Psychology?

Engineering Psychology (also called Human Factors or Human Systems Engineering) studies how people interact with technology, equipment, environments, and systems. It applies psychological principles to improve design, performance, safety, and usability - especially in complex, high-risk settings like military operations.

At West Point, this major helps cadets understand the cognitive, physical, and emotional limits of human performance — and how to design better tools, interfaces, and training programs to support soldiers in the field. Understand the mind. Improve the mission. Lead with design and purpose. That’s what Engineering Psychology at West Point is all about.

Why Choose Engineering Psychology at USMA?

Military Applications That Matter
From designing cockpit layouts to improving training simulators, Engineering Psychology is essential to modern military technology, mission effectiveness, and soldier safety.
Interdisciplinary and Innovative
This major combines STEM, behavioral science, and design —- giving cadets a broad, flexible foundation for leadership in today’s high-tech Army.
Prepares Cadets for Specialized Roles
Graduates go on to serve in aviation, cyber, intelligence, special operations, and research & development, where understanding human behavior is key to success.
Excellent for Graduate Study or Pre-Med
Engineering Psychology is a strong foundation for advanced study in psychology, human factors, engineering, health sciences, or even medical school.
Leadership Edge: Understand how humans really think and act - giving cadets major advantage as a future officer

What To Do With This Major?

With a degree in Engineering Psychology, cadets can:

Serve as an Army officer who understands people, systems, and decision-making
Help design safer equipment, smarter user interfaces, and better training programs
Work in fields like UX design, aviation, cybersecurity, health tech, or human factors engineering
Go to grad school in psychology, human-computer interaction, or systems design
Be the person who bridges the gap between humans and machines - on the battlefield or in the lab

Interested Cadets

Are you curious about how people think, make decisions, or interact with technology? Do you want to design better systems, tools, or machines that people actually enjoy using? The Engineering Psychology major at West Point combines psychology, design, and engineering to improve how humans interact with the world around them.

It’s perfect for students who like science and people - and want to make technology smarter, safer, and easier to use in high-pressure environments, like the battlefield.

Why Consider This Major

If a cadet is interested in how people think and perform, especially under stress, and if they want to use science and technology to make systems smarter and safer, this major offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity. They learn how to solve real-world problems, help others perform at their best, and lead in complex environments with both technical skill and psychological insight.

Understand the mind. Improve the mission. Lead with design and purpose. That’s what Engineering Psychology at West Point is all about.

What Cadets Learn

Engineering Psychology focuses on understanding how the human brain and body interact with machines, systems, and environments. Cadets study:

Cognitive Psychology – how people think, remember, and make decisions
Human Factors Engineering – designing tools and systems that match human strengths and limits
Ergonomics – making systems physically and mentally comfortable to use
Sensation and Perception – how we process information from the world around us
System Design and Evaluation – testing how well technology works for real users

They learn how to analyze problems, improve design, and make systems - from cockpits to computer screens - more effective for the people who use them.

Choice of Electives

Customize the major with electives like:

Human-Computer Interaction – how we interact with computers, apps, and systems
Applied Cognitive Neuroscience – connect brain science to real-world performance
Engineering Design for Human Use – build tools, machines, and systems that make sense for people
Military Decision-Making and Psychology – explore how leaders make choices under stress
Cyber Psychology – understand how people think and behave in digital environments

Learn More

Engineering Psychology majors are afforded the opportunity to attend various academic conferences around the country to present their research.

National Honor Societies:

To learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership or West Point Leadership Center.