Overview

The Department of Philosophy and Religion offers a combined BA/MA in philosophy for students who are interested in a career in philosophy, careers in advocacy and social policy, other careers where analytical skills are needed, or a stronger foundation in philosophy for graduate education such as law school. Interested students apply to the undergraduate degree first, and then apply to the MA program by the end of their junior year. Admission is open to undergraduates whose overall GPA is 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale).

Requirements

• all requirements for the BA major in philosophy, to be completed before the following requirements
• all requirements for the MA in philosophy, to be completed after the above requirements
• students may use up to 6 credit hours (for History of Philosophy, and Philosophy and Social Policy) or 9 credit hours (for Ethics, Peace, and Global Affairs) at or above the 500 level to satisfy the requirements for both the BA and the MA
  

How to prepare for this option

• Work toward completing all your undergraduate requirements first
• By the end of your junior year, apply to the MA program
• During your senior year:
  • Complete all undergraduate requirements
  • Take 2 (for History of Philosophy, and Philosophy and Social Policy) or 3 (for Ethics, Peace, and Global Affairs) of the philosophy courses that count for your BA at the 600 level (these will also count toward your MA once you graduate from the BA)
  • You may take additional graduate-level classes during your senior year only if you have already met all undergraduate requirements
  • Once you have been accepted to the MA program, pick up a Graduate Handbook in Battelle-Tompkins 120
  • Apply for graduation for your BA in the semester in which you will finish all the BA requirements (do not wait until later as this will cause problems with your MA)

As it currently stands, the combined BA/MA is not significantly different than completing the BA and then completing the MA (which is why we stress completing BA requirements first); however, it does give you the chance to get a head start on the MA during your senior year.

Worksheet
Please click here for a checklist of the BA/MA requirements.

back to top

back to undergraduate handbook