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
Explore the Master of Arts in Philosophy—how to apply, the classes you'll take, an accelerated degree option, and funding opportunities.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: rolling admission; March 15
The Department of Philosophy and Religion welcomes student applications with the following materials. Additional details are found on the department website.
- Complete the Graduate School’s Online Application.
- Pay the application fee ($60).
- Submit official transcripts.
- International applicants whose first language is not English may be required to submit scores from an acceptable English language proficiency test.
- Upload Supplemental Application materials for the Department of Philosophy and 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 letters of recommendation: provide contact information for two recommenders
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 either a thesis or nonthesis option.
Thesis Option. Students complete 30 graduate-level (500 level or higher) credit hours, including a 6 credit hour thesis. Students must pass an oral examination.
(Nonthesis) Comprehensive Exam Option. Students complete 30 credit hours of graduate-level (500-level or higher) courses 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 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.
Video: Get to Know the Department of Philosophy and Religion
Learn more about the Philosophy program from our faculty and students.
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