Explore Cognates
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The Cognates Program comprises the Areas of Knowledge component of the University of Miami’s framework for General Education. The Cognate Search Engine can help you shape a program of learning that is broad, coherent, exciting, substantive, and uniquely your own.
A cognate is a group of at least three courses, for at least nine credit hours, that share a theme or focus determined by the faculty. A cognate may center on a discipline, a problem, a topic, a region, a method, a time period, another language, or an experience abroad, among many other possibilities. Each cognate has course options that provide flexibility to complete it.
To fulfill the Cognates Program, you select and complete three cognates, one from each of the basic Areas of Knowledge: 1) Arts & Humanities (A&H); 2) People & Society (P&S); and 3) Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM).
You choose your cognates. Your interests, goals, and curiosities should guide your decision. You may select more cognates than the required three. Each cognate you complete will appear on your transcript.
The Cognate Search Engine lists the cognates currently available. It lets you search for cognates based on their features, courses, and keywords. Each cognate is administered by an academic department or program, known as the RAU (Responsible Academic Unit), that devised and sponsors the cognate. If you have questions about a cognate or wish to propose a substitution for a course in it, you should consult the RAU responsible for the cognate. Your academic advisor can help you make the appropriate contact
In particular cases, students may propose individualized cognates. Transfer students who enter the University with 30 or more credits may propose an individualized cognate as one of the three required cognates. Individualized cognates allow for flexible use of transfer credits to fulfill a cognate requirement, as approved by the dean/advising office in the transfer student's School/College. Foote Fellows may also propose individualized cognates, which also require the approval of their School or College advising office.
By fusing the University's intellectual strengths with your distinctive interests, the Cognates Program lets your educational passions and strengths drive your learning. Your education will matter most, and you will do your best college work, if you are engaged with and by what you study.
Cognate, a major, a minor, or a group of at least three courses, for at least nine credit hours, that share a theme or focus determined by the faculty.
Substitution Request, a student may request to substitute a course in a cognate for one not listed as part of that cognate. The student should submit their request to the Responsible Academic Unit (RAU) sponsoring the cognate for their approval. Once approved, the student submits the approval to their school/college for processing. (Substitution Request Form)
Individualized Cognate, transfer students who enter the University with 30 or more earned credits may propose one cognate comprised of courses they have taken at other institutions. For transfer students, individualized cognates allow for flexible use of transfer credits to fulfill a cognate requirement. (Indv. Cognate Transfer Students)
Individualized Cognate, Foote Fellows, may propose cognates comprised of courses offered at the University. The Division of Undergraduate Education, Office of the Provost will review and approve or deny the proposal for an individualized cognate. (There is no limit to the number that may be proposed.) (Indv. Cognate Foote Fellows)
Student Proposed Cognate, students may propose a cognate to a Responsible Academic Unit (RAU). The proposal should include a set of at least five generally accessible courses that exhibit a common theme or focus. If the faculty in the RAU concur with the students’ proposal, the RAU will submit it to the appropriate school and university committees for adoption as a regular cognate available to all students.