Challenge yourself with a unique short-term learning opportunity. The online Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Archaeology gives you the opportunity to study the evolutionary development of cognition in Homo sapiens and other primates through a variety of graduate-level courses in the UCCS departments of Anthropology, Psychology, and Philosophy.  

Courses in this certificate are taught by subject-matter experts around the world, concentrating the expertise and experience of a small but vibrant research area into one rich learning experience. Because the courses are taught online, UCCS can offer the certificate to students throughout the world. This educational opportunity is invaluable to students majoring in a variety of disciplines, including anthropology, psychology, philosophy, linguistics, cognitive studies, and interdisciplinary studies. 

Cognitive Archaeology Program Details

• Fully online with no on-campus requirements 
• Unlock opportunities to advance your career 
• Complete the program in 1-4 semesters 
• Learn in small classes with a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio 

The Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Archaeology is offered fully online in an asynchronous format, meaning there are no set login times, and you can complete your coursework at the time and place most convenient for you. Course lengths vary, with both eight-week and 16-week courses offered, and you can choose the pace of the program that works best for you.

During the program, you will complete a written portfolio for review, consisting of one sample of written work from each class. Students must also maintain a 3.0 GPA.  

The Certificate in Cognitive Archaeology is facilitated by the Center for Cognitive Archaeology at UCCS. The mission of the Center for Cognitive Archaeology (CCA) is to provide graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) and throughout the world the opportunity to study the evolutionary development of cognition in Homo sapiens and other primates through the lenses of psychology, anthropology, and philosophy.  

Cognitive archaeology is a truly interdisciplinary field that applies and integrates the concepts, theories, and methods of cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology, anthropology, linguistics, the philosophy of mind, and the philosophy of consciousness to the tangible evidence for human evolution—non-human primate anatomy and behavior, human neuroanatomy, hominin paleontology, and archaeology. 

Cognitive archaeology considers the origins and adaptive evolutionary purposes of cognitive processes and capabilities such as aesthetic cognition, causal cognition, cognitive control, cognitive fluidity, episodic memory, executive functions, expert retrieval structures, literacy, numerical cognition, praxis, prospective memory, skill, spatial cognition, Theory of Mind, visual attention, and working memory. 

• Dr. Karenleigh A. Overmann, Director, was a Clarendon Scholar at the University of Oxford and was awarded a Marie Curie Fellowship from the EU for postdoctoral work.  

• Prof. Frederick L. Coolidge, Co-director, is a three-time Fulbright Fellowship Award recipient. He has received the CU Presidential Teaching Scholar Award, UCCS Letters, Arts, and Sciences Annual Outstanding Research and Creative Works Award, and the UCCS Annual Faculty Award for Excellence in Research.  

• Prof. Thomas Wynn, Emeritus Director, is a distinguished professor emeritus and recipient of the prestigious Werner-Grenn award.  

At UCCS Online, we strive to keep our tuition costs affordable so that you can get a world-class education that fits your budget. We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education.
 
We’re here to answer your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the logistics, and make sure you’re able to focus on reaching your goals. Please note: This graduate certificate program is considered a “Course of Study Certificate” and not a Gainful Employment (GE) program, which means it is not eligible for aid, including the College Opportunity Fund (COF).
 
Currently, the Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Archaeology has no application fee.

Applications packages should include the following:

• Official transcript(s)showing an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher.
• Official transcript(s) of previous education showing 15 semester hours of relevant graduate course work completed at an accredited university with a minimum 3.00 GPA. Post-degree applicants must have a master's or doctoral degree with a GPA of 3.00 or higher
• Completed admission application form
• Personal statement (maximum of 2 pages) describing interest in the program (i.e., objectives and goals for enrolling in the program, whether the certificate relates to current or future work plans, previous work or volunteer activities relevant to the certificate, educational background and experience as it relates to this certificate program)
• Current resume or curriculum vita 

Once notified of acceptance in the certificate program, students will apply to the UCCS Extended Studies Program through LAS Extended Studies at: https://lases.uccs.edu/programs-a-l/cca.

Online learning offers the benefit of flexibility with the option of taking a course load that meets your needs. This program can be completed in one semester if you take the maximum course load. You also have the option of taking fewer credits and completing the program over more time. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)