Graduate Bulletin

Philosophy, M.A.

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:

Fall:  January 15

Admission is competitive and determined only once a year.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required:  3

From Whom:  Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with your academic competence.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

No specific coursework is required.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

A baccalaureate degree is required, preferably with some coursework in Philosophy.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals should be approximately 500-1,000 words in length and should include the following elements: your interest in Temple's program; your research goals; your future career goals; and your academic and research achievements.

Standardized Test Scores:

The GRE is required. Scores are typically in the 65-75% range on the verbal and quantitative sections.

Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted: 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, or 79 internet-based. 

Writing Sample:

The writing sample should demonstrate your ability to research and write a scholarly paper. The paper should be no more than 10 pages and fully referenced according to a professional, scholarly style manual. It should be in the area of Philosophy or a closely related area.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic 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 the 6 credits in electives rather than in thesis writing.

For a current copy of the Departmental Graduate Handbook, which lists all requirements, contact the Graduate Secretary Evelyn Rush at 215-204-8292 or emrush@temple.edu.

Internship: No internship is required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Culminating Events:

This program has no culminating events.

Contacts
Program Contact Information:

www.temple.edu/philosophy

Department Information:

Dept. of Philosophy
Anderson Hall, 7th Floor

12th and Berks Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19122
215-204-8292

Department Contacts:

Graduate Secretary:

Evelyn Rush

emrush@temple.edu

215-204-8292

Director of Graduate Studies:

Dr. Miriam Solomon

msolomon@temple.edu

215-204-9629

Chairperson:

Dr. Philip Alperson
alperson@temple.edu

215-204-5620

About the Program

The M.A. program is designed for students to begin advanced training in the field of Philosophy.  Such students may plan to continue with a Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. at Temple should apply to the Ph.D. program rather than the M.A. program.  (The M.A. can still be earned on the way to the Ph.D., if so desired.)

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 3 years

Campus Location:

Main, Center City

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes mostly offered before 4:30 p.m. The degree can be completed on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).  Most classes are offered before 4:30 p.m., however, so it is not possible to complete the degree with evening classes only.

Department Information:

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.  Professors Monroe Beardsley and John Fisher were in the department for many years, and now the department is home to Professors Philip Alperson, Noel Carroll, Susan Feagin, Joseph Margolis, and Paul Taylor.  The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism has its editorial offices in the department, and graduate students have the opportunity to work for the journal.  The Department has particular strength in social and political philosophy, with Carol Gould editing the Journal of Social Philosophy.  Other faculty specializing in social and political philosophy are Professors Lewis Gordon, Paul Taylor, and Shelley Wilcox.  The Department also has expertise in epistemology, Africana philosophy, philosophy of race, philosophy of science, feminist philosophy, continental philosophy, and philosophy of mind.

Interdisciplinary Study:

The program encourages students in the M.A. program to engage in a limited amount of interdisciplinary coursework.  Students generally take courses in African American Studies, Art History, English, Psychology, or Women’s Studies.

Affiliation(s):

The Greater Philadelphia Consortium provides expanded course options for graduate work in Philosophy.  Students enrolled in the M.A. program at Temple may take graduate courses at the University of Pennsylvania and at Villanova University.

Study Abroad:

No.

Ranking:

Not applicable.

Accreditation:

Not applicable.

Job Placement:

M.A. graduates often find employment as teachers in community colleges and in other professions.  For university teaching, the Ph.D. is necessary.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Degree 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 three courses (9 credits).

Financing Opportunities

University Fellowships, Graduate Assistantships, and Academic Internships are normally reserved for Ph.D. students.

September 2007