University General Course Catalog 2017-2018 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2017-2018 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Philosophy, M.A.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Catalog Search

I. Contact Information


Katharine Schweitzer, Graduate Coordinator
EJCH 108G
(775) 784-6062
kjschweitzer@unr.edu

Eric Padilla Rios, Administrative Assistant
EJCH 108A
(775) 784-6846
erios@unr.edu

II. Brief Introduction


The MA program is designed for students who intend to apply to PhD programs in philosophy, who intend to teach philosophy at the community-college level, who seek a philosophy degree for the grounding it provides for other areas of study (e.g., law, science, practical ethics, theology), or who wish to acquire a deeper understanding of philosophical traditions and contemporary developments.

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes


http://www.unr.edu/assessment/plans-and-forms/liberal-arts/philosophy-ma

IV. Admission Requirements


Students pursuing the MA must satisfy all Graduate School requirements, and ordinarily will have an undergraduate major or minor in philosophy, with a grade-point average of 3.0 or better. However, students with unusual promise whose backgrounds are in other disciplines, or whose grade-point averages are lower, may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. All applicants must submit a letter of intent, a writing sample, and three letters of reference (preferably from philosophy instructors). Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required for admission. Students are admitted in both Fall and Spring semesters; the department deadline for application is April 15 for Fall and November 15 for Spring

V. Program Requirements


The department offers two tracks for the MA degree. 

A. General Track


Students on the General Track have two options for their studies:

  • Plan A (Thesis required)
  • Plan B (Thesis not required)

Students will choose courses in consultation with their advisors, and must complete a minimum of 18 units in 700-level courses.

Coursework (Thesis Plan- 24 units and Non-Thesis Plan- 33 units)


Please contact your graduate advisor for course approval.

Thesis and Professional Paper


  • Thesis Plan A, 30 units are required, of which 6 units shall be   (Thesis).
  • Non-Thesis Plan B, 33 units are required, and students additionally must have a passing grade in 1-3 units of   (Professional Paper).   does not count toward the units required for the degree. 

B. Ethics, Law, and Politics Track


Students on the Ethics, Law, and Politics Track have two options for their studies:

  • Plan A (Thesis required)
  • Plan B (Thesis not required)

On either Plan A or Plan B, the following courses must be taken (12 units):

Students will choose their remaining courses in consultation with their advisors, and must complete a minimum of 18 units in 700-level courses.

Coursework (Thesis Plan- 12 units and Non-Thesis Plan- 21 units)


Please contact your graduate advisor for course approval.

Thesis and Professional Paper


  • Plan A, 30 units are required, of which 6 units shall be   (Thesis).
  • Plan B, 33 units are required, and students additionally must have a passing grade in 1-3 units of   (Professional Paper).   does not count toward the units required for the degree.

Note(s):


* Up to 6 units (on either Plan A or Plan B) may be taken outside the department in areas relevant to ethics, law, or politics; departmental approval is required for all non-philosophy units that are to be counted toward the degree. 

VI. Total Units


Plan A (either track): 30 units.

Plan B (either track): 33 units [+ 1-3 PHIL 796  units]. 

VII. Notes


  1. While not required, a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language is highly recommended, especially if the candidate wishes to pursue graduate studies beyond the master’s level.
  2. A limited number of teaching assistantships are offered to selected students for a period of two years on a competitive basis.

VIII. Undergraduate Prerequisites


There are no specific undergraduate prerequisites (but see “Admission Requirements” above for general expectations regarding background.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Catalog Search