
Cognitive Neuroscience

The M.S. in Cognitive Neuroscience at the Graduate Center is a multidisciplinary program that focuses on the biological bases of cognitive functions, including perception, attention, memory, language, and decision making.
Request InformationDegree Offered
M.S. in Cognitive Neuroscience
Full-time/Part-time
Admissions Deadlines
April 15 for fall enrollment
(No spring enrollment)
Virtual Open House

Meet with Director Tony Ro to learn more about the M.S. Program in Cognitive Neuroscience. If you have any questions about our Open Houses or our program, please feel free to contact us.
Date(s):
October 27, 2021 | February 9, 2022 | April 6, 2022
A Smart Move
The M.S. Program in Cognitive Neuroscience at The Graduate Center – the only program of its kind in the United States – is excellent preparation for further doctoral study. This affordable master’s program also positions you to meet the increasing demands of today’s fast-growing careers in health, technology, business, and education.
What Will You Learn?

In this multidisciplinary program, comprised of 32 credits, you will explore the biology behind the way we make decisions, use language, form memories, pay attention, and perceive the world around us. You will also gain marketable skills in statistics and data analysis through classroom experience and research. Master’s students typically take classes alongside top doctoral students.
Read more about the curriculum:
Core Courses Specialized Topics Research
Highly Regarded Faculty

We draw exceptional professors from throughout The City University of New York. Prolific scholars and passionate researchers and teachers, their expertise spans neuroscience and psychology as well as mathematics, computer science, engineering, speech-language-hearing sciences, and the life sciences. Our professors are accomplished, experienced, and accessible to students.
See the Cutting-Edge

Learning comes to life through weekly seminars, workshops, and an optional internship program that leverage our connections throughout New York City. Students will also have access to world-class laboratories and researchers at the Advanced Science Research Center at The Graduate Center.
Hands-On Experience in New York City

You will have the opportunity to design and conduct experiments with leading experts at our many labs and centers using the latest technologies, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI); electroencephalography (EEG); transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS); optical imaging; and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Our location in NYC gives you access to the best minds and the most exciting research opportunities in the field.
Affordable Tuition and Open to All

While a scientific background won’t hurt, previously accepted students have come from a variety of fields, including anthropology, architecture, and the data sciences. As a public institution, we offer an exceptional program at a fraction of the cost of other universities. The deadline to apply for fall 2022 is April 15, 2022.
Visit our Admissions and Aid page to learn more and the Admissions Office to apply now.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The M.S. Program in Cognitive Neuroscience is proud to be a part of the City University of New York, a diverse and inclusive public institution known to be a vehicle for upward mobility. We acknowledge that racism and social injustice still exist, and we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for our students, faculty, and staff. We believe that diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, (dis)ability, socioeconomic background, and age are factors that ENRICH our community and our contributions to science.
Learn more about the committeeFrom our Students
The M.S. Program in Cognitive Neuroscience has allowed me to explore different areas in cognitive neuroscience and connect with exceptional faculty and staff, including my mentor, Robert O. Duncan, our program's Assistant Program Officer, Wanda Mercado, and our Director, Tony Ro. My mentor has provided me with the research experience and guidance that I need to pursue a doctoral degree and become a well-versed scholar and researcher; Ms. Mercado has provided me with unconditional support and guidance throughout my time at the program, and Dr. Ro has been instrumental in helping us students handle coursework and achieving our career aspirations.
— Daisy Reyes
Current Student

Recent News
Apr 4, 2022
Science Student Spotlight: Sameer Sabharwal-Siddiqi
The next stop for this Cognitive Neuroscience student is a Ph.D. at the University of Arizona.
- Student News
Sep 16, 2021
NEW TO COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND ALREADY INVOLVED IN RESEARCH
Students in the M.S. Program in Cognitive Neuroscience get involved in research from the get-go. In early September, Nikki Gerohristodoulos, who just started the program...
- Student News
Sep 15, 2021
Savoring His Studies
With the resumption of in-person learning at the CUNY Graduate Center, the lab of Presidential Professor Tony Ro (Psychology, Biology) is once again a busy...
- Student News
- Research News
Sep 13, 2021
WHAT VR CAN SHOW ABOUT HOW HUMANS NAVIGATE NEW SPACES
Cassandra Engstrom is beginning her second year in the M.S. Program in Cognitive Neuroscience at the Graduate Center. After more than a year of working...
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