Mar 29, 2024  
UofM 2019-2020 Graduate Catalog 
    
UofM 2019-2020 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Philosophy, (MA)


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MA Degree Program


Program objectives are: (1) development of expertise in the discipline to teach introductory courses; (2) ability to write a research paper on a philosophical topic for formal presentation; and (3) ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills for advanced study.

Program Admission


The Philosophy Department admits students for the fall semester of each academic year. Information and application forms can be found on the department web site. Applications received after January 5 cannot be guaranteed consideration for an assistantship for the upcoming academic year.

Program Prerequisites


  1. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university. Official transcripts should be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
  2. A minimum of a 2.5 quality point average on a scale of 4.0. Students with less than a 2.5 quality point average may, on occasion, be admitted.
  3. An acceptable score on the general test of the Graduate Record Examination.
  4. At least 18 semester hours in undergraduate philosophy courses including the following courses or their equivalent: introduction to philosophy, ethics, elementary logic, history of ancient philosophy, and history of modern philosophy. Students who lack one or more of these courses may be admitted to the program only on the condition that they take the appropriate course as soon as possible.
  5. Three letters of recommendation from people qualified to judge the student’s ability to undertake graduate work.
  6. A 10-20 page writing sample and a 1-2–page statement of purpose should be submitted to the Coordinator of Graduate Admissions in Philosophy.

Program Requirements


  1. Thirty to thirty-three hours of class work, 24 of which must be at the 7000 level or above. Students who write a thesis are required to take 30 hours, 3 of which are credit for the thesis. Students who do not write a thesis are required to take 33 hours. Students who elect to write a thesis should familiarize themselves with the Thesis/Dissertation Preparation Guide before beginning to write. Students with approved collateral areas may take up to six hours outside the department if they are writing a thesis or nine hours if they are not.
  2. A written comprehensive examination covering the primary area of research interest of the student. This examination will incorporate an historical component relevant to the area of research interest.

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