Philosophy (MA)

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Offered by the Department of Philosophy and Religion , College of Arts and Sciences .

Admission to the Program

Applicants must meet the minimum university requirements for graduate study. Admission is based on academic record, two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and an academic writing sample. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General is required.

Degree Requirements

33 credit hours of approved graduate work
History of Philosophy track
- Qualifying research paper focusing on a major text by a single figure in the history of Western or non-Western philosophy
- Comprehensive examination requirement: submission of two qualifying papers, including one from a historical period of philosophy and one from feminist, Latin American, Asian philosophy, or critical race theory
Philosophy and Social Policy track
- Substantial research paper analyzing the ethical and social issues arising from the student’s internship experience
- Comprehensive examination requirement: submission of two qualifying papers, including one in theoretical or applied ethics and one in nineteenth or twentieth century philosophy

Course Requirements

Complete one of the following tracks:

History of Philosophy

Approved Coursework (33 credit hours)

33 credit hours of approved graduate coursework

Philosophy and Social Policy

Ethics (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following, or approved courses in either ethics or applied ethics:

History of Philosophy (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following, or approved courses in the history of philosophy:

Internship (3 credit hours)

PHIL-691 Internship in Philosophy (1-6) (3 credit hours required)

Applied Philosophy (6 credit hours)

6 credit hours in applied philosophy, with departmental approval

Philosophy or Religion (6 credit hours)

6 credit hours in philosophy or religion, with departmental approval

Social Science/Policy (6 credit hours)

6 credit hours in social science or social policy from fields such as economics, sociology, anthropology, government, public administration, and justice, with departmental approval