Combined PhD with Cognitive Science

Graduate students in good standing in one of the participating academic units may apply to earn a joint PhD with Cognitive Science. Earning such a certificate can significantly enhance a student’s academic knowledge and career choices. Students interested in the Joint PhD with Cognitive Science program must meet course and thesis requirements. At least one of the thesis supervisors must be an ICS fellow. Review the course requirements, applications, and program completion checklist for further information.

Requirements for the PhD in Cognitive Science

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Required Core Courses

• An introductory course, Issues and Methods in Cognitive Science (3 units)
• Topics in Cognitive Science (1 unit), taken twice (2 semesters)
• Cognitive Science Practicum (2 units), taken twice (2 semesters)

Hours Required

• A total of 30 hours of cognitive science courses
• 9 hours of required cognitive science core courses and
• 21 hours of other elective cognitive science courses
• At least 12 of the 21 elective hours must be outside the home department, including courses in at least two different departments outside the home department. *Each course must be at least two credits, and
• At least two of the courses must be classified as interdisciplinary cognitive science courses.

*Up to six units may be transferred from a different accredited institution. Candidate will submit a proposal of course substitutions based on the approved course list which will demonstrate comparable course content. A decision to accept substitute coursework is at the discretion of the academic program director and/or curriculum committee based on the available information.

Thesis Requirements

• The original contributions of the dissertation research should exploit state of the art methods from the perspective of at least two disciplines.
• Students are encouraged to have their doctoral research co-supervised by two faculty members representing different disciplines.
• At least one supervisor will be an ICS faculty fellow.
• The doctoral committee will include at least two ICS faculty fellows from outside the home department.
• In accordance with the rules of the graduate school, students must take at least 30 hours of dissertation research.
  

Cognitive Science Course Catalog
PhD Requirements Annual Update Form
PhD Application
Sample Curriculum for Combined PhD in Psychology (Cognitive Program)
Combined PhD Dissertation Certification

Cognitive Neuroscience Combined Ph.D.

Graduate students in good standing in one of the participating academic units may also apply to earn a Combined PhD with Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, and their Core Discipline. Students interested in the Combined PhD with Cognitive Science and Neuroscience must meet course and thesis requirements. The student's thesis advisor must be a participating faculty member of the Cognitive Neuroscience Faculty. To enroll in this triple degree, you must enroll in the Neuroscience program, and the Cognitive Science program. Review the course requirements and program completion checklist on the link below.

Click here for requirements and course list