Graduate Programs in Philosophy & Religion

image of faculty and students standing by the globe in the lobby of Bryant

"Joining the philosophical training and professional development make it ideal for anyone pursuing a scholarly career or transitioning into industry. I am grateful to be part of a collaborative environment that encourages me to develop academically and professionally."

Paisley Agyare Boaitey

M.A. Student

Develop Advanced Humanities Skills in Philosophy

The University of Mississippi Department of Philosophy & Religion not only serves students who have an undergraduate major in philosophy, but also those whose philosophical interests developed late as undergraduates and who need to fill in gaps in their background.

The department is small enough to permit extensive student-faculty interaction while diverse enough to provide a broad, philosophical education. The Mississippi Philosophical Association, the department’s own Philosophy Forum Speakers Series, as well as several regional conferences provide additional opportunities for graduate students to engage with philosophers at a professional level.

"I chose the philosophy program at UM for its great student-teacher ratio, the breadth of faculty research, and the program's solid track record of placing master's students into PhD programs." - Eric Servatius (M.A. Student)

Donovan E Wishon

Welcome from the Graduate Program Coordinator

Thank you for your interest in an M.A. degree in Philosophy from the University of Mississippi. We are a small, collegial department with strengths across the history of philosophy, ethics and applied ethics, metaphysics and epistemology, political and legal philosophy, and philosophy of religion. Our program emphasizes training students in the skills they need to be successful in doctoral programs in philosophy, law school, and a range of careers both inside and outside of academia.

Donovan E Wishon

Associate Professor of Philosophy and Graduate Program Coordinator

Degree Information

Learn more about the curriculum requirements for the M.A. in Philosophy.

Program Information

Learn more about admission requirements and research support below. For assistance, contact our Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Donovan Wishon.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Rolling

We have a rolling admissions policy and will consider applications at any time during the year. Admitted students are eligible for a limited number of Teaching Assistantships awarded by the philosophy department on a competitive basis. These Assistantships include a full tuition waiver, low-cost health insurance, and a stipend that is competitive with those of other MA programs in philosophy. To maximize chances for such funding, prospective students should apply by MARCH 15th. However, students are encouraged to apply sooner, if possible, as early funding offers may be made in rare cases. Moreover, admitted students are also eligible for some university-wide Graduate Assistantships which can have earlier deadlines.

 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The Department of Philosophy & Religion welcomes student applications with the following materials.  

  1. Complete the Graduate School’s Online Application.
  2. Pay the application fee ($60).
  3. Submit official transcripts.
  4. International applicants whose first language is not English may be required to submit scores from an acceptable English language proficiency test.
  5. Upload Supplemental Application materials for the Department of Philosophy & Religion to the link provided by the online application.

    A sample of your recent written work that best showcases your skills as a writer and critical thinker. Writing samples should be in English and no more than 30 double-spaced pages in length. There are no specific formatting requirements. This could be a term paper, professional report, policy brief, or any other document that demonstrates language, writing, and analytic skills.

    Two (2) letters of professional recommendation, preferably from professors familiar with your academic qualifications or others familiar with your work ethic and ability to be successful in graduate school.

    Evidence of an awarded baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. An academic record that includes either successful completion of two undergraduate philosophy classes, or at least a 3.0 or equivalent grade-point average on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.

 

Admitted students are eligible for a limited number of Teaching Assistantships awarded by the Department of Philosophy and Religion on a competitive basis. Students with a graduate assistantship funded in the Department of Philosophy and Religion receive a scholarship that covers some or all of the tuition and non-residency fee, if applicable, for regular semesters and subsidized health insurance.

To maximize chances for such funding, prospective students should apply by MARCH 15th. However, students are encouraged to apply sooner, if possible, as early funding offers may be made in rare cases.

The Graduate School’s financial aid webpage lists a variety of funding possibilities, including summer support and a recruiting fellowship program that promotes academic excellence and access to graduate education to groups who are historically underrepresented.  

image of Paisley Agyare Boaitey

Why Select UM for Graduate Study?

"The decision to select the philosophy graduate program at the University of Mississippi was easy. The program's focus on academic excellence and professional development through philosophy forums and talks, graduate workshops, and rigorous philosophical training has provided me the perfect environment to develop as an all-around philosopher. I couldn't imagine getting my philosophical training from anywhere else. This program inspires me to strive toward academic and professional excellence."

Paisley Agyare Boaitey

M.A. Student

Current Graduate Students

NameArea of StudyEmail
Vikas Beniwal Philosophy of Mind and Political Philosophyvbeniwal@go.olemiss.edu
Paisley BoaiteyApplied Ethics and Social Epistemologypaboaite@go.olemiss.edu
Josiah BraceEarly Modern Philosophy and Metaphysicsjbrace1@go.olemiss.edu
Derrick Fatomey Ethics and Epistemologydkfatome@go.olemiss.edu
Baker Haas Political Philosophy and Philosophy of Lawbchaas@go.olemiss.edu
Isaac Huling20th Century Philosophy and Epistemologyiahuling@go.olemiss.edu
Jade Langley Metaphysics and Ethicswjlangle@go.olemiss.edu
Zimy Le Philosophy of Mind and Philosophy of Lifeple@go.olemiss.edu
Kido ListenbeeEastern Philosophy and Phenomenologyjimmylel@go.olemiss.edu
Eric Servatius Political Philosophy and Moral Psychologyemservat@go.olemiss.edu
Adekunle Taofeek Biomedical Ethics and Philosophy of Mindawtaofee@go.olemiss.edu

Graduate Research

image of three students seated at a table talking

"I am working in the area of the Philosophy of Mind, exploring the essential and non-essential features of consciousness, drawing on John Searle's work. The graduate program has helped me become a better thinker by encouraging me to examine diverse perspectives, including other disciplines. One great strength is the supportive faculty, who allow me the freedom to pursue my research interests while providing helpful guidance whenever I need it.

"The department fosters professional development with graduate workshops and distinguished guest speakers that enhance my academic growth and prepare me for a future in philosophical research." - Zimy Le (right)

Stewart Bryson

Value of philosophy in the workplace

Stewart Bryson built a successful career in information services, database technologies, and business consulting. He founded and led a number of companies, and is currently the Vice President of Data Modernization for Onix, an IT services and cloud computing firm. His LinkedIn profile states that he is "an internationally recognized writer, speaker, and podcast guest in the data and analytics community and holds numerous community advocacy titles, including Snowflake Data Superhero and Oracle ACE Alumnus."

"As an owner of a company, I wore a lot of different hats…sales, marketing, leadership, product development. Having the perfect solution in any of those areas is meaningless without the ability to frame the conversation around it. More than anything...philosophy sharpened my communication skills, not merely to clarify, but to convince."

Stewart Bryson

(B.A. in English and Philosophy '94; M.A. in Philosophy '96)

Job Placement

Our graduates have been admitted to Ph.D. programs at universities such as Syracuse, Purdue, UC-Irvine, Indiana, Florida, Massachusetts, Chicago, Miami, Arkansas, Baylor, Rice, Illinois, Iowa, Texas A&M, Wake Forest, King's College, and more.

Education Career Examples

  • University of Georgia
  • The Ohio State University
  • Cal. State University-Long Beach
  • University of Utah
  • William and Mary Law School
  • University of Otago, New Zealand
  • Yonsei University, Korea
  • Mississippi Valley State Univ.
  • College Minister, Auburn Church of Christ
  • Asst. Dir. of Center for Practical Ethics, UM
  • Sustainability Coordinator, UM
  • Dir. of Admin., U of Memphis School of Law
  • MS School for Math and Science
  • Madison Central High School

Non-Education Career Examples

  • Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley
  • Lean Management Consultant, Apian
  • VP of Data Modernization, Onix
  • Minister, First United Methodist Church
  • Self-employed Clinical Psychologist
  • Technical Writer, PipeSuite
  • Care Coordinator, Quantum Health
  • Software Engineer, Dreamlit Games
  • Consultant, Aegis Strategies
  • Software Engineer, CoreLogic
  • Product Management Leader, Nestle
  • Attorney, Flynn Law Firm
  • IT Manager, Eli Lilly and Company
  • Data Coord., LA Assoc. of United Ways