University General Course Catalog 2023-2024 
    
    Sep 07, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2023-2024 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

BA/MA Accelerated Program, Philosophy


The accelerated BA/MA program in Philosophy will encourage outstanding students in the  Philosophy B.A. program at the University of Nevada, Reno to earn an M.A. degree in Philosophy at UNR over a shorter period of time. Students enrolled in the accelerated program can potentially obtain either a Plan A (Thesis) or Plan B (Professional Paper) Philosophy M.A. degree by the end of their fifth year of study. The accelerated program allows qualified undergraduate students in Philosophy to take up to 12 credits of graduate level courses and apply those to their undergraduate degree. They may also apply the same graduate credits to a graduate degree in Philosophy at UNR, if they apply and are admitted to the program.

Admission Requirements


  • Applications to the accelerated BA/MA program require Letters of Recommendation from 2 full-time department faculty members.
  • A Statement of Purpose must accompany the application.

Applicant Criteria


  • At least 75 units toward the BA degree in Philosophy (General track or Ethics, Law, and Politics) must be completed.
  • General education and additional college requirements must be completed.
  • All required lower-division (100 and 200 level) Philosophy major courses must be completed.
  • Applicant must have completed at least 18 undergraduate units in Philosophy with at least 6 units in upper-division (300 or 400 level).
  • Minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA.
  • At least 12 units of Philosophy must have been earned at UNR by the time of application.

Program Guidelines


These guidelines comply with the Graduate School rules and regulations and established practices for accelerated BA/MA programs at the university.

  • Up to twelve units of graduate work may apply to both the BA and MA degrees.
  • Students must be admitted to the accelerated program before graduate courses can be taken.
  • Students may begin graduate coursework in the first semester of their senior year.
  • A grade of B or better is required for each graduate course that students take while an undergraduate student. Any course where a student does not receive a grade of B or above will not be transferred to the student’s graduate degree, if they pursue one.
  • Students will be ineligible for departmental consideration for graduate (GTA) funding on normal funding lines.
  • Students must consult with their Financial Aid advisor each semester to determine their eligibility for financial aid.