Assistive Design

Required Courses

• ME 0140 Inventive Design: Product invention, design, development, and evaluation through design projects.
• ME 0141 Assistive Design: User-centered design methods, client interviews and measurements, ideation, fabrication, and testing of solutions with individual clients who have disabilities.
• ENP 0162 Human-Machine System Design: Cognitive and dynamic considerations in system design, including applications in interfaces, automated systems, and biomedical systems.

Elective Course

Students select one additional 100-level or higher course in Engineering Psychology or Mechanical Engineering.

• User-centered design
• Assistive device development
• Client needs assessment

• Physical prototyping and fabrication

   

• Human-machine systems
• Design testing and evaluation
• Product innovation

The Certificate in Assistive Design is offered through the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Tufts University School of Engineering. The department supports work in design and human factors, with research and educational strengths in areas including medical devices, educational technologies, human-centered engineering, product design, and usability testing.

Students benefit from a department that connects mechanical engineering methods with the study of how people interact with products, devices, and systems.

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Human Factors and Mechanical Engineering Integration

Students study assistive design through both human factors engineering and mechanical engineering, building the ability to understand user needs while developing physical design solutions.
 

Applied, User-Centered Design Experience

Coursework emphasizes design processes that include client interviews, measurement, ideation, fabrication, documentation, and user testing. Students learn to approach design challenges through the needs and experiences of individual users.

Pathway to Further Graduate Study

The four courses in the certificate fulfill requirements in the M.S. in Human Factors Engineering and the M.S. in Mechanical Engineering programs. Students may be eligible to apply certificate coursework toward one of these master’s programs at Tufts.
 

Design and Human Factors Expertise

Tufts Mechanical Engineering supports research and teaching in design and human factors, including medical devices, educational technologies, product design, and usability testing. This environment allows students to study assistive design within a broader engineering context focused on people and real-world applications.

• Assistive product design
• Human factors engineering
• Rehabilitation technology
• Medical device design

• Accessible product development
• Educational technology
• Specialty equipment and services
• Further graduate study in human factors engineering or mechanical engineering

What Background Is Appropriate for This Program?

The program is designed for applicants who want focused graduate training in assistive and user-centered product design. It may be especially relevant for professionals and students interested in mechanical design, human factors, rehabilitation, medical technology, education, accessibility, or specialty services.
 

Do We Host Information Sessions and Campus Tours?

Yes. Prospective students may attend admissions events, information sessions, or campus visit opportunities to learn more about Tufts graduate programs and the application process. Visit go.tufts.edu/gradevents for the event schedule and previously recorded videos.

Are Scholarships Available?

The School of Engineering offers partial tuition scholarships for a select group of Engineering master’s and certificate programs. When you apply for admission, you’ll automatically be considered, there’s no separate scholarship application or additional information required. Applicants are encouraged to apply early for priority scholarship consideration.
 

How Do I Apply?

Applicants can apply online through Tufts Graduate Admissions Portal. Required materials typically include transcripts, a resume or CV, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. International applicants may also need to submit English proficiency documentation. Visit the admissions page for current deadlines and application requirements.