Philosophy, M.A.
Explore foundational ideas about the nature of reality, knowledge, and morality, and develop communication skills that can lead to success in law, education, business, or religion.
About the Master of Arts in Philosophy
The Department of Philosophy and Religion in the College of Liberal Arts offers the M.A. in Philosophy. We accept students who have an undergraduate major in philosophy, and 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.
Our M.A. degree can be used as a stepping stone to a wide variety of programs and careers. Graduates from our master’s program have been admitted to Ph.D. programs in philosophy across the nation. Moreover, because our program improves students’ ability to read, write, and communicate effectively, an M.A. can also serve as an excellent foundation for legal studies, education, business, or study at a theological school or seminary.
Accelerated Master's Degree
Undergraduate philosophy majors who have completed 90 credits as an undergraduate with a GPA of 3.0 or greater can begin earning credit toward an M.A. in philosophy, while completing their B.A. in philosophy. They can thus earn the M.A. in only one additional year of graduate work after completion of the B.A. degree.
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Program Information
Degree
M.A. in Philosophy
Required Credit Hours
30
Program Type
Master's Program
Program Location
School
Graduate Program Coordinator
If you have any questions about the M.A. in Philosophy, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Donovan E Wishon
Professor of Philosophy and Graduate Program
M.A. in Philosophy Program Details
Learn about the application process, academic requirements, and the financial support available to you.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: rolling admission; March 15
The Department of Philosophy and Religion welcomes student applications.
- Complete the Graduate School’s Online Application.
- Upload Supplemental Application materials for the Department of Philosophy and Religion to the link provided by the online application.
Students should have 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.
Students in the M.A. in Philosophy program complete 30 credit hours and select either a thesis or nonthesis option.
Thesis Option. Students complete 30 graduate-level credit hours (500 level or higher), including a 6 credit hour thesis. Students must pass an oral examination.
(Nonthesis) Comprehensive Exam Option. Students complete 30 credit hours of graduate-level courses (500-level or higher) along with a written examination in the student's major subfield. Students must pass an oral examination in addition to completing all other requirements for the degree.
Admitted students are eligible for a limited number of Teaching Assistantships awarded by the department 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.
For more information, visit Graduate Programs in the Department of Philosophy and Religion.
The Graduate School's financial aid webpage lists a variety of funding possibilities.
Department of Philosophy and Religion
Department Video
Learn more about the Philosophy program from our faculty and students.
Next Steps
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