MA in Philosophy
Tufts MA in Philosophy is consistently the highest-ranked of its kind in the United States. It has an established record of placing its students in strong PhD programs in philosophy. Our program is ideal for students whose undergraduate preparation might not qualify them for a competitive doctoral program. We also have a record of placing our students in competitive law and JD/PhD programs. Students typically complete the program in two years, but some students elect to stay a third year.
Each year at least six seminars are offered, typically on faculty research interests, which include metaethics, philosophy of law, philosophy of race, epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of language, philosophy of science, and special topics in the history of philosophy.
Program Requirements and Policies
The MA in Philosophy consists of 12 (three credit) upper-level philosophy courses (courses numbered 100 or above). The department does not accept transfer courses.
Course Requirements
The 12 courses must include the following two courses:
1. Phil 103: Logic: An advanced introduction to logic aimed at graduate students.
2. Phil 297: Graduate Writing Seminar A course designed to help students produce a highly polished paper as a capstone of their work in the program. This paper may serve as a writing sample for PhD applicants.
Coursework must satisfy a breadth requirement. All upper-level philosophy courses, except the Graduate Writing Seminar, fall into at least one of three distribution areas. See the Course Distribution list for allocation. Two courses are required in each of these three areas:
1. Normative philosophy
2. History of philosophy
3. Metaphysics and epistemology
Coursework must also satisfy a ‘core courses’ requirement. One designated core course is required from each of the three distribution areas above. Core courses that will be offered on a regular basis (either annually or bi-annually) include the following:
1. Within normative philosophy: Ethical Theory, Political Philosophy
2. Within history of philosophy: Ancient Philosophy, History of Modern Philosophy
3. Within metaphysics and epistemology: Epistemology, Metaphysics, Philosophy of Language, Philosophy of Mind
In addition to the above courses, others may be offered in a given semester that will count as ‘core’ in one of the three distribution areas. Those courses will be designated as such prior to that semester.
Core courses for Fall 25 include:
1. Metaphysics & Epistemology: Epistemology, The Problem of the “World”, Philosophy of Social Science
2. Normative Philosophy: Metaethics, Contemporary Political Philosophy
3. History of Philosophy: Ancient Philosophy, The Problem of the “World”
In deciding which courses to take, students should be aware that some are offered regularly and some are not.
In lieu of taking 12 philosophy courses, students are permitted to take 11 philosophy courses and one course in another department (e.g. Mathematics, Psychology, Political Science, Classics). The substituted course must have substantial philosophical content and must be approved by the Philosophy Department.
Students may also count one independent study in philosophy towards the 12-course requirement.