Philosophy M.A.

On the most general level, students in the Philosophy MA program rigorously examine the basic assumptions of every human endeavor—from seeking knowledge to deciding what is right or wrong—to enrich our understanding of what it means to be human and what it is to think critically for a lifetime.

More specifically, students acquire a broad understanding of the history of philosophy as well as courses in several other areas. These provide a firm philosophical foundation for professionals with a career outside of philosophy who would like to add an advanced degree in philosophy to their credentials. Unlike many other Master of Arts (MA) programs in philosophy, ours is not a stepping stone to enter a PhD program; it is designed to have graduate level coursework and research for professionals in areas outside of philosophy.

Additionally, students acquire specialized and advanced knowledge in chosen areas of research. The Department of Philosophy is noteworthy for its emphasis on the individual student's research interests. Students develop their philosophical acumen through seminars, interest groups, interdisciplinary collaborations, and mentoring from our distinguished faculty.

We are committed to critical thinking and analytic engagement, and research that matters for our discipline, classrooms, and communities.

Students graduate from our program prepared to:

-Plan, conduct, and communicate research in philosophy (as well as interdisciplinary research) to a wide range of audiences.
-Use the habits of critical thinking, reflection, and writing in their chosen careers.
-Take on leadership roles in academic, professional, and civic contexts using advanced skills in critical reflection and analysis, as well as excellent communication skills.