Philosophy (MA)

The department does not accept applicants for a Master of Arts degree in philosophy. The MA degree is intended only as a transitional degree in the process of completing requirements for the PhD in philosophy.

A student may obtain an MA in philosophy by fulfilling the following requirements: a minimum of 36 units in the USC philosophy school, at least 24 of which must be at the 500 level. Requirements include: PHIL 500 , PHIL 503  and a 500-level course in each of the following three areas: metaphysics and epistemology, ethics and other value theory, and history of philosophy. Of the remaining four required (4-unit) courses, only four units of PHIL 590 are applicable to the degree. A publishable research paper is also required.