Philosophy, M.A.

Saint Louis University's Master of Arts in Philosophy is designed for students who want to broaden their philosophical knowledge through graduate studies without necessarily intending to pursue a Ph.D.

SLU's philosophy graduate program is ranked by the Philosophical Gourmet Report near the top 50 (of the 200 such programs in the United States) and is ranked among the best in the world for Medieval Philosophy and Philosophy of Religion.  

Curriculum Overview

Courses in SLU's philosophy graduate program examine historical and contemporary issues such as problems in metaphysics, epistemology, social and political ethics, and philosophy of religion, among others.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Unique resources available to the program include the international philosophical journal Res Philosophica; the Vatican Film Library, one of the finest repositories of its kind in the Western hemisphere; and the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.

There are regular opportunities to work with eminent visiting scholars, numerous colloquia and conferences, a wide variety of reading groups and opportunities to participate in exchange programs.

Careers

Possible careers for philosophy graduates include diplomat, professor, lawyer, church minister and public service official.

Admission Requirements

There are no requirements for acceptance into the graduate program in philosophy. However, a philosophy major is strongly recommended. In general, at least six philosophy courses are expected, including logic and history of philosophy.

The application deadline is March 1.

Application Requirements

• Application form
• Transcript(s)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Résumé
• Professional goal statement
• Writing sample

Requirements for International Students 

All Saint Louis University admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students applying to SLU must also meet the following additional requirements:

• Demonstrate English language proficiency
• Academic records must include an English translation. Unofficial copies may be accepted in some cases for initial admission review, however official copies must be received prior to enrollment. Course-by-course transcript evaluations are accepted. 

Students must submit financial documents to be issued an I-20 for their F-1 visa application. Proof of financial support must include:

• A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
• A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University

Review Process

A committee of philosophy department faculty members reviews applications.

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for departmental graduate scholarships, students should complete their applications by the program admission deadlines listed.

For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

1. Graduates will be able to analyze and defend a philosophical position on a philosophical problem.
2. Graduates will be able to gather sources relevant to a philosophical problem.
3. Graduates will be able to interpret sources relevant to a philosophical problem.
4. Graduates will be able to synthesize sources relevant to a philosophical problem.

†

• Up to 6 credits may be taken outside of philosophy, with approval from the advisor.
• Up to 6 credits may be taken at the 4000-level.
• No more than 6 credits may be in PHIL 5970 Research Topics or PHIL 5980 Graduate Independent Study in Philosophy , or a combination thereof.
• Students' writing an M.A. thesis must enroll in PHIL 5990 Thesis Research (0-6 cr).

Non-Course Requirements

Proficiency in a foreign language, if needed for research.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

This roadmap is just one example of a semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. There are other plans students can and do take. The plan of study for each particular student is established in consultation with each student’s academic advisor; this roadmap does not replace academic advising appointments.

Roadmap notes:

• This Roadmap assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
• Courses/Milestones marked with an “!” are critical and must be completed in the semester listed in the Roadmap to ensure a timely graduation.
• Course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Program Notes

Requirements for the Master of Arts in Philosophy:

• 36 credits total (over two years)
• History requirement: nine credits distributed as follows: three hours in ancient, three hours in medieval and three hours in modern.
• PHIL 5990 Thesis Research (0-6 cr) may be taken in the second year, under advisor supervision.
• Up to six credits may be taken outside of philosophy, with approval from the advisor
• No more than six credits may be in research topics (PHIL 6970 Advanced Research Topics in Philosophy (1-3 cr), or PHIL 5980 Graduate Independent Study in Philosophy (1-3 cr) or a combination thereof.
• Proficiency in a foreign language, if needed for research.

For more information about graduate study in philosophy at SLU, please email sluphilosophy@slu.edu or call 314-977-3149 and ask to be directed to the philosophy graduate program coordinator.