M.A. in Philosophy
Description
The M.A. in philosophy prepares a student to go on to a Ph.D. program, a professional school, theology graduate work, or simply to provide further education in philosophy before pursuing a career.
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 36
Course Requirements
The M.A. in philosophy can be completed as either a thesis or nonthesis option. The thesis option requires 30 semester hours of graduate-level course work and 6 semester hours of thesis work. The nonthesis option requires 36 semester hours of course work.
Other Academic Requirements
Thesis Option: Students should submit a one- or two-page thesis prospectus to the departmental graduate faculty by no later than the middle of their third semester. Upon approval of the prospectus and in discussion with the candidate, the faculty will select a director and two other graduate faculty to serve as the thesis committee. The thesis director will be the student’s primary adviser and liaison with the graduate school and, together with the other two members of the thesis committee, will evaluate the thesis and the oral examination. Prior to the oral defense of the thesis, the student must have completed the written M.A. comprehensive examination and the exit questionnaire.
Nonthesis Option: During the third semester of graduate work, the student will notify the director of graduate studies of his or her intent to submit a paper to the graduate faculty. Upon approval of the director and in discussion with the candidate, the faculty will select three graduate faculty to hear the paper presentation. The director will be the student's primary adviser and liaison with the Graduate School and, together with the other two members of the committee, will evaluate the paper and the oral examination. Prior to the oral defense of the paper, the student must have completed the written M.A. comprehensive examination and the exit questionnaire.