Earn an MA and BA in Philosophy in just 5 years

Deadline to apply: April 1, 2022

The Philosophy Department’s highly selective combined BA/MA Program in Philosophy allows you to complete both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Philosophy in only one extra year of study (instead of two), with up to eight 500-level Philosophy credit hours double counted for both the bachelor’s and the master’s degree.

Why Apply?

An MA typically requires two years of study, but in Miami’s Philosophy department advanced undergraduates can combine the last year of their BA program with the first year of an MA, reducing the time to complete the MA to one year.  An MA in philosophy can provide a steppingstone towards further graduate work, including law school, medical school, or a PhD program.  It also provides further credentialing for those who choose to enter the workforce upon completion of the MA.

Who Can Apply?

Only full-time Miami students are eligible for this program. Students are eligible to apply to the Graduate School for the combined BA/MA program during their junior year and can begin taking graduate courses during the first semester of their senior year. Students must have completed at least half of the departmental hours required for the major before entering the program. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.00.

Program Requirements

Students take the full number of hours required for the MA degree during their fourth and fifth year. Upon entering the program students will be expected to enroll in at least 12 credit hours of graduate coursework each semester. During the two years of graduate study, students are required to take at least 46 graduate credit hours (12 courses), including one research seminar each spring semester.

The full number of hours required for the master’s degree must be taken, and students must complete all university, divisional, and departmental requirements for the bachelor’s degree. However, 8 hours of graduate credit can be double counted for the bachelor’s and the master’s degree. With permission of the appropriate advisor(s) and dean(s) or their designee(s), students may count the graduate credit hours toward their major, minor, electives, and university requirements.

How to Apply

Students should complete the official application, which can be found on the Graduate School website. In addition, please also send the following documents in a single pdf file as an email attachment to the Director of Graduate Studies ([log in to unmask]):

a statement of purpose
a writing sample that indicates your philosophical ability
a list of philosophy courses taken at Miami University, including year, professor, and grade received
 

Want further info?    Contact Dr. Pohlhaus, [log in to unmask]
Director of Graduate Studies, Philosophy Department