Graduate Certificate in Neuroscience

Gain a thorough introduction to an interdisciplinary field addressing neural and brain function at multiple levels with the Graduate Certificate in Neuroscience in Temple University’s College of Liberal Arts. 

This 15-credit graduate certificate is tailored to provide current doctoral students in programs outside of the Psychology and Neuroscience Department with core experience in specific areas of neuroscience, including behavioral, cellular, molecular and systems neuroscience. Students also gain an understanding of biological, clinical and psychological approaches to understanding the nervous system. 

The Neuroscience Certificate (Graduate) is intended for any Temple students interested in adding highly specialized training and research in the field of neuroscience to their professional résumé. 

PhD Specialization in Neuroscience vs. Graduate Certificate in Neuroscience

For current doctoral students in the Psychology and Neuroscience Department, completion of the Neuroscience Graduate Certificate coursework results in a specialization in neuroscience, and the resulting transcript will reflect a PhD in Psychology and Neuroscience. 

Any doctoral student outside of Psychology (and also Biology, Physical Therapy and Pharmacology), who completes the Neuroscience Certificate (Graduate) coursework will receive a PhD in their own discipline, along with the certificate.

Program Requirements

In order to complete the Neuroscience Certificate (Graduate), students will fulfill the following requirements.

• Meet all obligations of their participating department.
• Include one member of the certificate program on their dissertation committees.
• Enroll in the Readings in Neuroscience course, which requires attending and participating in the seminars and journal clubs of the Neuroscience program, for three academic terms of one credit each.
• Enroll in two courses in each of the following Neuroscience specialization areas.
  • Behavioral/cognitive/systems neuroscience
  • Cellular/molecular neuroscience

Program Format & Curriculum

The Graduate Certificate in Neuroscience is only available on a full-time basis. Courses completed as part of the Neuroscience Certificate (Graduate) curriculum include the following.

• Behavioral Neuroscience, in which students learn topics in systems and behavioral neuroscience. 
• Neurochemistry, in which students explore the major areas of cellular and molecular neurobiology, including cellular and subcellular components of the nervous system, neuronal excitability and molecular properties of ion channels, biochemistry of synaptic transmission, intracellular signaling, neurochemistry of learning and memory, cell injury and inflammation, and psychiatric/neurodegenerative disorders. 
• Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience, in which students investigate topics in systems and behavioral neuroscience. 

Learn more about Neuroscience Certificate (Graduate) courses.

Careers

A research background in neuroscience provides opportunities for career paths in multiple fields including education, engineering, law, medicine, psychology and public policy.