The Master of Arts in philosophy is not offered as a terminal degree. It is awarded to students as they work toward the philosophy PhD or as part of the combined MA/JD program.
Learning Outcomes
- Breadth of knowledge: demonstrate knowledge of a wide range of areas in philosophy—metaphysics and epistemology; value theory; history of philosophy; and logic, philosophy of mathematics, and philosophy of science.
- Depth of knowledge: demonstrate advanced knowledge in at least one major subarea of philosophy.
- Scholarship and research skills: develop the skills required to conduct rigorous philosophical research, including philosophical writing and communication skills; and the ability to engage others’ work.
- Professionalization and career preparation: understand the disciplinary norms and standards of research, and of professional and collegial engagement with others; and develop a portfolio and skills contributing to one’s career prospects, guided by one’s career goals and interests, and informed by different possible career opportunities and trajectories.
The Master of Arts program in philosophy requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of graduate credit and is offered without thesis. Students must earn a program grade-point average of at least 3.00.
The MA in philosophy requires the following coursework.
Metaphysics and Epistemology
Ancient and Medieval Philosophy and Modern Philosophy
Logic, Philosophy of Science, and Philosophy of Mathematics
Value Theory
Students may be able to apply PHIL:4798 Topics in Philosophy or a research course toward one of the requirement areas. Contact the graduate studies director for more information.
Electives
All students must complete 12 s.h. in coursework numbered 4000 or above. They should consult the graduate studies director for approval of elective coursework.
Final Examination
Students must pass an oral final examination that will not exceed two hours in length. Students who fail may petition the MA examination committee for a second opportunity to pass the exam. The second exam must be scheduled no sooner than three months, nor later than one year, after the date of the examination.
MA/JD
The Department of Philosophy and the College of Law offer a combined Master of Arts/Juris Doctor program. MA/JD students may count 12 s.h. earned in the combined program toward both degrees. They must earn 18 of the 30 s.h. required for the MA in graduate-level philosophy courses (the usual requirement is 24 s.h.). They also must earn a minimum of 36 s.h. in undergraduate and graduate philosophy courses, combined (the usual requirement is 42 s.h.).
Separate application to each degree program is required. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined degree program.
For more information about the JD, see Juris Doctor, JD (College of Law) in the catalog.
Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.
Academics
University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.
Admissions
Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.
Financial Support
Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
The graduate program is designed to train teachers and scholars in philosophy. The Department of Philosophy is also invested in helping students to use their philosophical training careers outside of academia. The departmental Placement Director will help dissertation stage students prepare for the job market.
A number of helpful resources for Career Planning are available through the Grad Success Center.
