4+1 Accelerated Program

Linguistics and Cognitive Science

4+1 Accelerated Program

Qualified undergraduate students in the in the B.S. in Cognitive Science or B.A. in Linguistics, as well as students completing a Bachelor's degree in related fields like Anthropology, Computer and Information Science, Philosophy, and Psychology (and other fields by application), may apply for the Combined B.S./B.A and M.A. option, which combines the requirements of the undergraduate and master’s degree programs in Cognitive Science or Linguistics and Linguistics and Cognitive Science. Whereas the traditional programs for the B.S./B.A. and M.A. degrees involve four years of undergraduate work and two years of graduate work, the Combined B.S./B.A. and M.A. option enables students to earn both degrees in a five-year period. Students who complete the Combined B.S./B.A. and M.A. program will graduate with both a Bachelor of Science degree in Cognitive Science or a B.A. degree in Linguistics and a Master of Arts degree in Linguistics and Cognitive Science.

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 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 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 aster of rts 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).