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Cognitive Studies in Education
Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College
Columbia University
Cognitive Studies in Education Logo
Cognitive Studies in Education
Cognitive Studies in Education
in the Department of Human Development
in the Department of Human Development

Program Name

Subhead here


Degree Information & Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Important: The revised Degree Requirements below refer to the 2008-2009 academic year. All current students please refer to the information under the category Degree Requirements in the current academic catalog.

Doctor of Philosophy-75 points (Code: COGN)


Breadth/Foundation Courses (12 Points):
Take one course (minimum of 3 points) in each of the following areas:
1. Biological Basis of Behavior:

  • BBS 5068-5069   Brain and behavior I and II (1-2 each)
  • BBSN 5033  Human clinical neuropsychology (3)
  • MSTC 5000    Neurocognitive models of information processing (1-3)

2. Cognitive Basis of Behavior:

  • HUDK 4015   Psychology of thinking (2-3)
  • HUDK 5090   Psychology of language and reading (2-3)
  • HBSK 5096   The psychology of memory (3)
  • CCPX 5020   Emotions, culture, and health (3)

3. Social Cultural Factors and Individual Differences:

  • HUDK 5029   Personality development and socialization across the lifespan (2-3)
  • HUDK 5040   Development and psychopathology: Atypical contexts and populations (2-3)
  • HUDK 5121   Personality development and socialization in childhood (2-3)
  • HUDK 5125   Cross-cultural developmental psychology (2-3)
  • CCPX 5034   Child psychopathology (2-3)
  • HBSK 5031   Family as a context for child development (3)
  • ORLJ 5017   Small group intervention: Theory and method (3)
  • ORLJ 5106   Psychological aspects of organizations (2-3)
  • ORLJ 5540   Pro-seminar in social and organizational psychology (2-3)

4. Measurement:

  • HUDM 5059   Psychological measurement (3)


Core Courses (9 points):

  • HUDK 4029   Human cognition and learning (3)
  • HUDK 4080   Educational psychology (3)
  • HUDK 5023   Cognitive development (3)

Statistics (12 points):

  • HUDM 4120   Basic concepts in statistics (3)
  • HUDM 4122   Probability and statistical inference (3)
  • HUDM 5122   Applied regression analysis (3)
  • HUDM 5123   Linear models and experimental design (3)
  • HUDM 6122   Multivariate analysis I (3)

Specialized Courses (minimum of 15 points):
Selected in consultation with an adviser, and focusing on one of the following concentrations:

Cognition and Learning:

  • HUDK 4015   Psychology of thinking (3)
  • HUDK 4027   Development of mathematical thinking (3)
  • HUDK 5024   Language development (2-3)
  • HUDK 5025   Spatial thinking (3)
  • HUDK 5030   Visual explanations (3)
  • HUDK 5034   Cognitive research methods and applications (3)
  • HUDK 6095   Critical review of current journals in psychology (3)
  • HUDM 5058   Choice and decision making (3)
  • HBSK 5096   The psychology of memory (3)

Intelligent Technologies:

  • HUDK 4015   Psychology of thinking (3)
  • HUDK 4035   Technology and human development (3)
  • HUDK 5025   Spatial thinking (3)
  • HUDK 5030   Visual explanations (3)
  • HUDK 5034   Cognitive research methods and applications (3)
  • HUDK 5035   Psychology of media (3)
  • HUDK 5039   Design of intelligent learning environments (3)
  • HUDK 5198   Psychology of instructional systems design (3)
  • MSTU 4031   Programming I (4)
  • MSTU 4083   Instructional design of educational technology (3)
  • MSTU 4133   Cognition and computers (3)
  • MSTU 4134   Cognition and computers lab (1-3)

Reading Research:

  • HUDK 5024   Language development (2-3)
  • HUDK 5080   Experimental psychology: Schooling and reading (2-3)
  • HUDK 5090   Psychology of language and reading (2-3)
  • HUDK 6095   Critical review of current journals in psychology (3)
  • HBSK 4074      Development of reading comprehension strategies and study skills (3)
  • MSTU 4086   Text understanding and design (3)

Cognitive Studies of Educational Practice:

  • HUDF 4021   Sociology of education (3)
  • HUDK 4035   Technology and human development (3)
  • HBSK 4074    Development of reading comprehension strategies and study skills (3)
  • ORL 5522    Evaluation methods I (3)

Research Apprenticeship (6 points):
Two semesters in a research practicum:

  • HUDK 6523   Seminar in cognitive development (3)
  • HUDK 6539   Research practicum in educational psychology, cognition, and learning (1-3)

Special Seminars (minimum of 9 points):

  • HUDK 6620   Special topics in developmental psychology (1-3) (taken during both first and second years)
  • HUDK 7502   Dissertation seminar (1-3)
  • HUDK 8901   Dissertation advisement (0)
  • TI 8900   Dissertation defense (0)

Non-departmental Courses (minimum of 8 points):
At least three courses outside the department are selected in consultation with an advisor.

Additional Requirements:
Two papers—one an empirical study the student has conducted; another an integrative research literature survey; certification examination; and an approved dissertation.