Cognitive Science of Language, Graduate Certificate
This is the first version of the 2026–27 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
The graduate Certificate in Cognitive Science of Language requires a minimum of 12 s.h. of graduate credit. Designed to complement doctoral study, the certificate program is open to University of Iowa PhD students. Students should contact the program's coordinator to apply.
The certificate program ensures that students have training in interdisciplinary approaches to the study of language along with a strong theoretical grounding in their PhD discipline. Certificate students are encouraged to work with both their PhD advisor and the certificate program's coordinator to develop an individual plan of study that complements their degree program and career interests.
Certificate students must participate in the cognitive science of language proseminar, a two-semester (6 s.h.) survey course sequence on the five major disciplines within the language sciences—psychology, formal linguistics, neuroscience, communication disorders, and computational approaches. They must also complete three courses on cognitive science or language outside their field of study. Students can choose from the approved courses in the following lists, or they can petition the program for other courses.
The Certificate in Cognitive Science of Language requires the following coursework.
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| Proseminar Series | 6 |
| Disciplinary Courses | 6 |
Proseminar
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Both of these: | ||
| PSY:6101/CSD:6101/LING:6101 | Cognitive Science of Language Proseminar I | 3 |
| PSY:6102/CSD:6102/LING:6102 | Cognitive Science of Language Proseminar II | 3 |
Disciplinary Courses
Students take a minimum of 6 s.h. in at least three courses from the following lists.
Communication Sciences and Disorders
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CSD:3116/LING:3116 | Basic Neuroscience for Speech and Hearing | 3 |
| CSD:3118/LING:3118 | Language Acquisition | 3 |
| CSD:4145 | Developmental Language Disorders | 3 |
| CSD:5233 | Aphasia | 2 |
| CSD:5256 | Anatomy and Physiology of Hearing | 3 |
| CSD:5282 | Clinical Phonology and Speech Sound Disorders | 2 |
| CSD:6230 | Psychoacoustics | 2-3 |
| CSD:6538 | Advanced Topics in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences | 1 |
Linguistics
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LING:3030 | Child Language-Linguistic Perspectives | 3 |
| LING:4090 | Practical Phonetics | 3 |
| LING:5010 | Introduction to Syntax | 3 |
| LING:5020 | Introduction to Phonology | 3 |
| LING:6050 | Language Universals Linguistic Typology | 3 |
| LING:6080 | Topics in Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| LING:7090 | Seminar: Problems in Linguistics | 2-3 |
Psychological and Brain Sciences
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSY:3670/LING:3670 | Language Processes | 3 |
| PSY:7610 | Seminar: Cognitive Psychology | 2-3 |
Spanish and Portuguese
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPAN:4100 | Introduction to Spanish Phonology | 3 |
| SPAN:4150 | Introduction to Spanish Syntax | 3 |
| SPAN:6110 | Spanish Phonology | 3 |
| SPAN:6120 | Spanish Syntax | 3 |
| SPAN:6150 | Topics in Spanish Language Acquisition | 3 |
Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.
Academics
University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.
Admissions
Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.
Financial Support
Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.