Concentration in Cognitive Sciences

          "I wish I could find a program that I could complete during my free time."                    "I want a graduate education that I can readily apply to my workplace."                    "I want to enjoy my next degree and not feel pressured to compete with other students."                    "I don't have time to come to campus every week for classes, so my classes have to be designed for the distance learner."     

Program Description

Understanding the human mind will be one of the most interesting endeavors of the 21st century. This is the realm of Cognitive Science, a still evolving interdisciplinary field with roots in many separate domains. In particular, Cognitive Science builds on elements of
philosophy, psychology, neural science, computer science, language studies, and cultural studies.

A Masters of Liberal Studies (MLS) degree with a concentration in Cognitive Science is accordingly interdisciplinary in nature, and is intended as a stepping stone into a more specialized advanced degree program (either in Cognitive Science, Philosophy of Mind, or Consciousness Studies). It consists of an exceedingly strong Liberal Arts degree, with both breadth and depth concentrated around the six fields traditionally considered major constituents of Cognitive Science.

The MLS allows for 18 hours of coursework in a customized plan of study. The Cognitive Science concentration asks you to maintain a broad background by taking 3 graduate hours in three of the six Cognitive Science domains (Philosophy, Psychology, Neural Science, Computer Science, Language Studies, and Cultural Studies) outside your area of concentration. A list of currently acceptable classes is available, but others can be substituted with the approval of your advisor.

This concentration is not available through distance education. It does not lead to certification, licensure, or endorsements.

Area of Concentration (18 Hours)

The Cognitive Science concentration consists of nine hours of breadth (select three domains and take three hours in each one) plus another nine hours in any other single domain. The domains are: Philosophy, Psychology, Neural Science, Computer Science, Language Studies, and Cultural Studies. It is assumed that your culminating experience will consist of a thesis or research project in your area of concentration. Students finishing their MLS degree with this concentration will have the following notation on their transcripts: "Liberal Studies (Behavioral Sciences)" unless those students prefer to exclude the notation in parentheses.

Possible Courses

Program Contact

For more information regarding the concentration in Cognitive Science, please contact: Dr. Stephen Kitzis, Psychology Department, (785) 628-4404 · skitzis@fhsu.edu Once you have been admitted to this concentration, please follow the MLS Checklist and carefully read The MLS Student Handbook.

For more information, contact: Art Morin, Director of the Master of Liberal Studies Program Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, Davis Hall 206 Fort Hays State University Hays, KS 67601 (785) 628-5950

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