The MA program is a full-calendar-year program. Below is an approximation of a typical course schedule for a student beginning in the Fall term.

TermResearch TrackCourse Track
Fall– Research in CogSci
– A formal methods or statistics course
– One 600-level or above course
– One 800-level research seminar
– One 800-level research seminar
– Four 600-level or above courses
Intersession– Research in CogSci
– Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
– Research in CogSci
– Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
Spring– Research in CogSci
– Two 600-level or above courses
– One 800-level research seminar
– Research in CogSci
– Three 600-level or above courses
– One 800-level research seminar
Summer– Research in CogSci
– Research paper due 
– Oral defense
– Directed Readings in CogSci
– Portfolio due
– Oral presentation

MA students should plan to complete the bulk of their requirements during the Fall and Spring semesters. RCR, cognitive science research, and cognitive science readings are available in all four terms. If an MA student registers for courses other than RCR, cognitive science research, or cognitive science readings during the summer and intersession, they may incur additional tuition expenses.

Johns Hopkins confers degrees three times a year: August, December, and May. MA students should discuss their capstone timeline with their faculty mentor and academic program coordinator at least three months prior to completion to ensure the conferral term’s deadlines are met.

Graduate Student Resources