Philosophy, MA
Deepen and broaden your knowledge of historical and contemporary issues in philosophy, while honing your skills in critical reasoning, clear and persuasive writing, and judicious interpretation of complex texts and ideas.
Program Overview
The Philosophy MA program prepares students for law, academia, or research, equipping them with skills in ethics, complex arguments, and critical thinking.
The Philosophy MA program may be right for you if you seek to better understand major topics and historical and contemporary issues in philosophy; teach philosophy or a related subject at the high school or community college level; become better prepared for highly selective PhD programs in philosophy, here at UT or elsewhere; complement your graduate or professional studies in another field; or prepare for careers on ethics boards or at ethics centers, in grantmaking and academic administration, or in technology, artificial intelligence, and data management.
The Philosophy MA program offers flexible pathways, including thesis and non-thesis options, an accelerated/combined BA/MA program, and a dual MA-JD.
Thesis and Non-Thesis Options
The Department of Philosophy offers both thesis and non-thesis options for students in the master’s program. You’ll have the option to choose from a thesis—requiring you to conduct a substantial independent research project with faculty mentor guidance—or the non-thesis option: completing coursework only and a comprehensive exam.
Accelerated Combined BA/MA Program
The accelerated combined BA/MA program allows qualified students to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in philosophy in as little as five years. Undergraduate students may take up to nine credit hours of graduate coursework that counts toward both the BA and the MA.
Dual MA-JD Program, Philosophy – Law
Students interested in pursuing a JD at the UT Winston College of Law may find that additional training in philosophy complements their legal studies by honing critical reasoning and persuasive writing skills, also by enabling them to better interpret complex texts. By enrolling in the dual MA-JD program, students can complete the two degrees in only four years, rather than in five.
Why Study Philosophy?
At UT, our graduates have exceptional opportunities to engage with scholarly research, faculty, and network with outside speakers, all of which expose them to experiential learning opportunities that foster intellectual growth and depth.
You’ll have opportunities to attend events such as the philosophy department’s Distinguished Visiting Speaker Lecture—where a philosopher whom students learn about in their courses is invited for a guest lecture—as well as various conference opportunities across the country.
With faculty that are committed to seeing you succeed and grow, and our program’s unique dual MA-JD Program, you’ll graduate ready to tackle the most pressing issues and complex challenges.
What Can You Do with an MA in Philosophy After Graduation?
The skills gained from a philosophy degree—critical reading and thinking, strong reasoning, analytical writing, and questioning assumptions—are important in numerous fields and careers.
You could go into education and become a teacher, academic advisor, administrator, or educational policy analyst. With your expertise in ethics, you could work in technology as an ethical compliance officer or AI ethics researcher. Your skills could even bring you into law or government, as a paralegal, policy analyst, or campaign manager.
Philosophy graduates often go into communications as well, as a writer, editor, or journalist. The places this degree can take you are endless.
Featured Courses
PHIL 441 Global Justice and Human Rights
Students will explore the relation of mental to physical and the role of words in discourse about mental activities, thinking and feeling.
PHIL 528 Topics in Contemporary Philosophy
In this course, students will engage in intensive critical work on themes in late 20th-century philosophy.
PHIL 577 Topics in Philosophy of Mind
Students will explore the relation of mental to physical and the role of words in discourse about mental activities, thinking and feeling.
PHIL 590 Topics in Social and Political Philosophy
Students will study philosophical problems concerning social and political life: family, state, freedom, justice; major theoretical responses: anarchism, social contract, Marxism.
Complementary Majors, Minors, and Certificates
Looking to enhance your academic experience and expertise? Consider pursuing one of the following programs in addition to your primary field of study.
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