The department draws on methods of research in the biological sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities. Its educational mission is to provide students with the best possible opportunity to integrate a wide variety of approaches and apply them to the study of human higher cognition.

The Department of Cognitive Science at Case Western Reserve University provides basic training in core disciplines, as well as in a range of philosophical, evolutionary, linguistic, and computational issues bearing on cognitive science. It seeks to place cognitive science in a wider, more ecologically valid context than traditional programs in this field have typically allowed, so as to broaden our theories of those high-end cognitive capacities that mark human beings as distinctive.

Candidates may apply for admission to the degree program in cognitive linguistics with the purpose of pursuing the MA, or for non-degree status with the purpose of taking courses for credit that can be transferred to other institutions. The MA follows Plan A as described in the School of Graduate Studies section of this bulletin. Accordingly, it requires 30 credit hours and a written MA thesis.