Undergraduate Programs
Welcome to the Department of Linguistics & Cognitive Science
The study of linguistics and cognitive science unlocks some of the mysteries of how our brains process information, especially the ability to acquire language, one of the most complex cognitive tasks. The Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science at the University of Delaware offers two undergraduate programs and a 4+1 accelerated program allowing students to receive a master’s degree in five years.
Our teaching mission includes delivery of excellence in instruction in our undergraduate majors and minors, as well as our contribution to general education, multicultural education, discovery learning, second writing, and the first year experience program for freshmen majors.
Combining classroom experience with innovative research led by faculty who are leaders in the field, the interdisciplinary aspect of our programs gives students the opportunity to collaborate on projects with departments, centers and colleges across the University.
UD's Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science has an excellent record of graduate placement and success. UD reports that 97 percent of 2022 cognitive science graduates are employed or pursuing further education, with 27 percent employed and 70 percent continuing their education. Graduates with bachelors degrees have found jobs working in for-profit (53%), non-profit (24%) and K-12 education (24%), with a median salary of $44,500.
Eighty-four percent of those pursuing further education enrolled in master's degree programs. Top graduate programs include speech-language pathology, audiology (doctoral), and linguistics and cognitive science.
Graduates pursue careers in medicine and healthcare, specializing in audiology, nursing, occupational therapy, psychology, public health administration, and speech-language pathology. Other careers include business; counseling and social work; data analysis; public health administration; and research.
Graduates may seek advanced degrees with training in audiology, computer science, data science, medicine, philosophy, psychology, and speech language therapy.
UD's Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science has an excellent record of graduate placement and success. UD reports that 100 percent of 2022 linguistics graduates are employed or pursuing further education with 50 percent employed and 50 percent continuing their education.
Our graduates pursue careers in data analysis; film and television; government; language service; education; library and information science; research; and healthcare.
Among those continuing their education, the top graduate programs are law and speech pathology. Other programs include cognitive science, computer science, linguistics, psychology, and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL).
- Speech/Language Pathology Careers
- Certification and Licensure
- Pre-Professional Undergraduate Specialization
- Beyond the Classroom
Preparing for a speech/language pathology career
Speech/language pathologists research, diagnose, and treat communication disorders including disorders of speech and disorders of language. Audiologists evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss and balance disorders in individuals of all ages. Professionals in both specializations work with children and adults in a variety of settings (schools, hospitals, and private practice).
Education Requirements
A clinical career in speech and language pathology requires an advanced degree (M.A., M.Ed., or M.S.). A clinical career in audiology requires a clinical doctorate, i.e. the audiology doctorate (Aud.D.) or a Ph.D. A student aspiring to conduct research related to speech pathology or audiology as a speech, language, or hearing scientist must earn a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree.
Certification and Licensure
Graduate programs in speech/language pathology and audiology prepare the student for the national certification exam and licensure processes, which vary by state. To ensure that students are ultimately successful in certification and licensure, graduate programs require the completion of specific prerequisite courses at the undergraduate level.
Visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for information on:
Pre-Professional Speech/Language Pathology Specialization
UD undergraduate students who wish to prepare for graduate school in speech/language pathology should major in cognitive science and complete the pre-professional speech/language pathology specialization.
Because admission into speech/language pathology graduate programs is highly competitive, we strongly recommend that students maintain a 3.6 GPA or higher. See the UD Catalog for degree requirements and course information.
The specialization provides undergraduate students with the prerequisites they need to apply to graduate school. While the courses are broadly recognized as the core and are essential to later success in graduate school, some programs also prefer that students have taken additional coursework; these additional requirements vary widely from program to program.
Minors
Although a minor isn't required, interested students may consider popular minors for SLP such as disability studies, psychology, human development & family studies, and Spanish. Students can take more than one minor, but should not over-stretch themselves with minors.
Clearances for Observation
Certification requires completion of supervised clinical field work including 25 hours of clinical observation. Some graduate programs require that a portion or, in some cases, all of those hours be acquired before admission.
The pre-professional course sequence includes upper-level coursework that connects students with community observation sites as well as guided, virtual observation opportunities recognized as counting toward those 25 hours. See your advisor for details.
- For information about clearance processes, visit the Office for Clinical Studies with UD's College of Education and Human Development.
- Be aware that the criminal background check (CBC) process, may take 6-8 weeks to complete.
- Clearances MUST be completed by the first day of classes for courses requiring them.
- Most graduate programs do not recognize observation hours completed outside of an academic course requirement.
Beyond the Classroom
- Pursue research opportunities, seek volunteer experience, work in a research lab. Students are strongly encouraged to demonstrate special interests related to speech pathology and audiology.
- Join UD's chapter of the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA). This is an organization for students interested in speech and language pathology. The group functions as a source of information about admission to graduate programs, upcoming speakers and events, volunteer opportunities and more.
- Visit the American Speech Language Hearing Association for a wealth of information about graduate programs, access to research publications, professional affairs, and more.
Students in the 4+1 accelerated program earn an undergraduate degree (B.S. in cognitive science or B.A. in linguistics) and an M.A. degree in linguistics and cognitive science within five years, saving both time and expenses.
Currently enrolled undergraduate students at UD who are pursuing a B.S. in cognitive science or a B.A. in linguistics may be eligible to apply. The program may also consider students from related disciplines such as anthropology, computer and information science, philosophy and psychology (and other fields by application).
Candidates for the combined degree who complete the requirements for the B.S./B.A. but fail to complete the additional M.A. requirements will receive the B.S. or B.A. degree.
Please note: The M.A. degree in linguistics and cognitive science is not a professional program in speech pathology and does not offer a concentration in speech pathology.
Use the "apply" button at the top of this page to apply via the Graduate College application portal.
The departmental graduate studies committee will review all applicants on a rolling basis. To ensure that all requirements for both degrees can be fulfilled, the ideal time for students to apply for admission to the combined B.S./B.A. and M.A. program is at the end of the sophomore year. However, applications at other times will also be considered.
At the time of application, the student must have completed, or be currently enrolled in, at least the following courses: LING101, CGSC170 and two additional 400-level LING or CGSC courses.
Initial admission will be based upon the following:
- SAT or ACT scores used for admission to UD
- An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.25
- Personal statement specifically addressing interest in the 4+1 program
- Writing sample
- Two letters of recommendation from UD faculty
Admission is competitive so meeting the minimal requirements for admission does not guarantee admission nor does the failure to meet a requirement result in an automatic rejection.
* Note: The GRE is not required for admission to the combined B.S. / B.A. and M.A. program by UD undergraduates.
Upon admission into the program, the student will meet with the 4+1 advisor and the M.A. advisor to develop a preliminary program of study, including elective courses. The student will then, for the duration of the program, meet with either advisor prior to registration for each of the semesters leading to completion of the combined B.S./B.A. and M.A. program.
Continuation in the 4+1 program is contingent upon maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 in undergraduate courses with CGSC and LING designations and in graduate coursework. Satisfactory progress also includes appropriately following the prescribed program of study.
Students who fail to meet the minimum GPA requirements or fail to show progress toward the degree will be placed on probation. If the situation is not corrected by the next semester, will be removed from the combined B.S./B.A. and M.A. program. They may, however, continue in the undergraduate major unless their undergraduate progress is unsatisfactory according to the rules in effect for the their undergraduate program.
Students are strongly encouraged to finish the undergraduate portion of their 4+1 program before starting the final graduate year. Students should also be aware of the fact that after eight semesters of studies as undergraduate students they will be charged graduate tuition.
Students in the combined B.S. / B.A. degree and master of arts in linguistics and cognitive science degree must complete the full 124 credit hours of the B.S./B.A. undergraduate major as well as the full 30 credit hours of the M.A.
See the description of the M.A. in Linguistics and Cognitive Science for requirements of that component of the program.
Course Overlap and Substitutions
In the event that a student in the combined B.S./B.A. and M.A. program completes — as an undergraduate — a required graduate course or other 400-level course with content very similar to a 600-level course and elects to count that course toward the bachelor’s degree, s/he will be permitted to substitute another appropriate graduate course for the M.A. component of the program.
Similarly, when a student completes a 400-level undergraduate course that has content very similar to that of a parallel 600-level graduate course, s/he may substitute another appropriate graduate course for the M.A.
All course substitutions must be made in consultation with the student’s advisor(s).
Resources and Opportunities
