I came across this thread and figured it might need an update since it is still the top discussion you find on the topic in a google search (and the only as far as I can tell).
First, although University of Cincinnati was once one of the top human factors programs, they no longer have a human factors program. Kevin Shockley and Mike Reilly are certainly there, but the work they do is not considered human factors psychology. They are both products of University of Connecticut, studied under Michael Turvey, and take an ecological or Gibsonian approach to cognition, action, and perception (as do many other faculty members). UC is probably one of the top two or three programs for this type of psychology. Incidentally, I've never heard either Shockley or Reilly described as human factors psychologists before. John Holden, who is also an ecological psychologist did train under a human factors psychologist for his masters at Wright State, but received his Ph.D. under the late Guy Van Orden and now focuses on non-linear techniques, dynamical systems, and complexity, not human factors.
Human factors as a focus or topic is certainly a broad area and not necessarily confined to a single paradigm, but in practice the bulk of research in the human factors domain and under a human factors heading, especially applied research in industry and military, takes a more cognitive approach. Gerry Matthews was the last remaining member of the human factors psychology program at UC (which was founded in 1981 by Joel Warm and another human factors psychologist). He has now left for University of Central Florida.
From what I gather the top programs for human factors now are:
- University of Central Florida
- George Mason
- Texas Tech
- Georgia Tech
Other programs may also have strong human factors programs, but these four are the programs I've heard about the most in my conversations about notable programs at Human Factors conferences and with students and faculty. University of Central Florida is especially strong with Peter Hancock and now the addition of Gerry Matthews. University of Cincinnati's program has slowly been merging into UCF's program and to a lesser extent George Mason. UCF has a very well rounded and well connected program and have a reputation for graduating quality students on time. I've heard great things about the George Mason program as well but admittedly know less about it. Both programs were very well represented at the 2012 Human Factors Conference. (Just to drive home the point above: not a single current student or faculty member at University of Cincinnati other than Matthews and his students attended or presented at the conference... and this has been true since Warm left the university).
I certainly don't know all there is to know about all of the human factors programs out there but I hope this is helpful for those searching for good human factors programs to attend. Anyone else have updates?