Learn more about the Master of Arts in Philosophy.
About the Program
Temple’s Department of Philosophy has strengths in several areas of philosophical study. The department has a rich history and continuing presence in the field of aesthetics. The department also has expertise in ancient Greek philosophy, epistemology, ethics, feminist philosophy, Kantian and post-Kantian German philosophy, philosophy of mind, philosophy of race and political philosophy.
The MA program is designed for students to begin advanced training in the field of philosophy. Students may plan to continue with a PhD program elsewhere, or may be satisfied with a master's degree for personal enrichment or for pre-college teaching. Students who plan at the outset to pursue the PhD at Temple should apply to the PhD. The MA can be earned on the way to the PhD, if desired.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 3 years
Campus Location: Main, Center City
Full-Time/Part-Time Status: Students complete the degree program through classes largely offered before 4:30 p.m. The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.
Interdisciplinary Study: The program encourages students in the MA program to engage in a limited amount of interdisciplinary coursework. Students generally take courses in Africology and African American Studies, Art History, English, Psychology or Women’s Studies. A dual-degree program earning the MA in Philosophy/MA in Urban Bioethics is offered in conjunction with the Lewis Katz School of Medicine.
Affiliation(s): The Greater Philadelphia Consortium provides expanded course options for graduate work in Philosophy. Students enrolled in the MA program at Temple may take graduate courses at the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University.
Job Prospects: MA graduates often find employment as teachers in community colleges and in other professions. For university teaching, the PhD is necessary.
Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Non-matriculated students may register for courses after an interview with the Director of Graduate Studies, at which time they should present academic transcripts. Credit toward a subsequent degree program at Temple University is limited to 9 credits.
Financing Opportunities: University Fellowships, Graduate Assistantships, and Academic Internships are ordinarily reserved for PhD students.
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:
Fall: March 1
Admission is competitive and determined only once a year.
APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.
Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3
From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with your academic competence.
Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree is required, preferably with some coursework in Philosophy.
Statement of Goals: In approximately 500 to 1,000 words, address your interest in Temple's program, research goals, future career goals, and academic and research achievements.
Standardized Test Scores:
GRE: Optional. Scores may be submitted if available.
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:
- TOEFL iBT: 79
- IELTS Academic: 6.5
- PTE Academic: 53
Resume: A short curriculum vitae should be submitted with your application.
Writing Sample: The writing sample should demonstrate your ability to research and write a scholarly paper. The paper should be 15-20 pages in length and fully referenced according to a professional, scholarly style manual. It should be in the area of Philosophy or a closely related field.
Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 30
Required Courses:
The Thesis Option requires students to take 24 credits in Philosophy and 6 credits in thesis writing. The Non-Thesis Option requires students to take 6 credits in electives rather than in thesis writing.
For a current copy of the Departmental Graduate Handbook, which lists all requirements, email claphilo@temple.edu or call 215-204-1742.
Culminating Events:
Thesis Option:
A thesis is required when choosing the Thesis Option.
Non-Thesis Option:
Successful completion of coursework constitutes the culminating event for this option.
Accelerated Programs
Undergraduate students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.
The accelerated pathway for the Philosophy MA is only available to undergraduate students in the Philosophy BA.
Cohort Code: XMAPHIL
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.50
Graduate Courses Approved to Count for Both Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Ethics and Values | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| Contemporary Ethical Theory | ||
| Feminist Ethics and Political Philosophy | ||
| Metaethics | ||
| Philosophy in Literature | ||
| Problems in Aesthetics | ||
| Classics in Moral Philosophy II | ||
| Philosophy of Law | ||
| Ethics in Medicine | ||
| Seminar in Aesthetics | ||
| Seminar in Ethics | ||
| Seminar in Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| History of Philosophy | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Nineteenth-Century Philosophy | ||
| Greek Philosophy | ||
| British Empiricism | ||
| Continental Rationalism | ||
| Kant | ||
| Seminar in Greek Philosophy | ||
| Seminar in Continental Rationalism | ||
| Seminar in British Empiricism | ||
| Seminar in Kant | ||
| Seminar in Nineteenth-Century Philosophy | ||
| Electives | ||
| Two 5000+ or 8000+ Philosophy courses | 6 | |
Suggested Academic Plan
| Year 3 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credit Hours | |
| One PHIL 5000+ or 8000+ Ethics and Values course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| One PHIL 5000+ or 8000+ History of Philosophy course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Two PHIL 5000+ or 8000+ electives | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
Admissions Criteria
Candidates for the +1 program must:
- be a declared Philosoply major.
- have a minimum 3.50 cumulative grade point average and be able to complete their baccalaureate degree within two years of program entry; have at least a 3.50 in Philosophy coursework.
- provide a writing sample; usually, this will be an essay written for a philosophy class.
- provide a personal statement addressing the applicant's goals in the program while completing a department-specific accelerated program application.
- have two letters of support from faculty and/or professionals who can vouch for the student's readiness for graduate work.
- apply in the fall semester of junior year for a spring admission to the accelerated program.
Application: https://apply.temple.edu/CLA/Pages/Welcome.aspx
Contact Information
Lara Ostaric, DGS
lostaric@temple.edu
Irina Segal, Coordinator
irina.kasharsky@temple.edu
Contacts
Program Web Address:
https://www.temple.edu/academics/degree-programs/philosophy-ma-la-phil-ma
Department Information:
Dept. of Philosophy
731 Mazur Hall
1114 W. Polett Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6090
215-204-1742