The terminal MA in Philosophy at Loyola integrates a strong grounding in the history of philosophy with current debates in social and political philosophy, ethics, and contemporary philosophy. Our department is distinguished by its exceptional breadth in the history of philosophy with internationally recognized faculty working in ancient Greek and Chinese philosophy, Islamic philosophy, and medieval, modern and 19th and 20th century European philosophy. Students who complete the terminal MA can therefore expect to develop a strong foundation in the core areas of philosophy and the ability to pursue specialized research in a range of areas at the doctoral level. Loyola’s terminal MA also lays an excellent intellectual foundation for those who intend to pursue graduate work outside of philosophy in such fields as history, theology, and English, as well as those interested in pursuing this degree for personal enrichment.

Program Highlights

• First year proseminar to prepare students for coursework in graduate school
• Professional development and placement workshops that prepare students to present and publish their original research and apply for doctoral programs in philosophy and other fields
• Generalist training in the history of philosophy and an emphasis on philosophical pluralism that can prepare students for specialized research at the doctoral level
• Opportunity to attend seminars, conferences, and lectures in the Chicago-area

Curriculum

The Master of Arts in Philosophy requires 30 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive examination.  Entering MA students must have a Bachelor of Arts degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution. They should have a solid background in philosophy (ordinarily an undergraduate minor or its equivalent).

Specific courses may not be offered every semester and course offerings are subject to change.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Select one course in Ancient Philosophy		3
PHIL 401	Plato
PHIL 402	Aristotle
PHIL 403	Ancient Philosophy
Select one course in Medieval Philosophy		3
PHIL 405	Augustine
PHIL 406	Aquinas
PHIL 407	Medieval Philosophy
PHIL 408	Late Medieval Philosophy
Select one course in Modern Philosophy		3
PHIL 410	Descartes
PHIL 411	Classical Rationalism
PHIL 412	Classical Empiricism
PHIL 415	Kant
PHIL 416	17th-18th Century Philosophy
Select one course in Continental Philosophy		3
PHIL 422	Nietzsche
PHIL 430	Husserl
PHIL 432	Heidegger
PHIL 433	Phenomenology/Existentialism
PHIL 434	Hermeneutics & Critical Theory
PHIL 436	Contemporary French Philosophy
PHIL 437	Contemporary German Philosophy
PHIL 438	Topics in Continental Philosophy
Select one course in Analytic Philosophy		3
PHIL 442	Anglo-American Philosophy
PHIL 443	Anglo-American Epistemology
PHIL 444	Studies in Logic
PHIL 447	Issues in Cognitive Science
Select five 400-level Electives		15
Total Hours		30

Note: Courses may fulfill different distribution requirements on an ad hoc basis, depending on course content. To confirm, please consult Graduate Program Director.

Other Philosophy graduate level courses may be used in the above requirements.  Students should consult with the Graduate Program Director if a course of interest is not shown in the above curriculum grid.  For a full list of Philosophy graduate level courses, click here.

Language Requirement

There is no language requirement or other research tool requirement for the M.A. degree in the Philosophy Department.

Examination

Toward the end of the course of studies, students pursuing the MA in Philosophy must pass an oral examination before a committee of at least three faculty members on a research paper they have written. The focus of the examination is on the argument and analysis of the paper, as well as on the background thought that the argument and analysis presuppose.

Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations

Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supercede school policies.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MA in Philosophy, students will have:

• Acquired advanced knowledge and be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the history of philosophy
  • Demonstrate knowledge of perennial and contemporary issues in philosophy
  • Demonstrate expertise in a particular area of philosophy
• Engaged in discursive and critical thinking and be able to:
  • Identify hidden presuppositions of everyday beliefs
  • Articulate and evaluate philosophical arguments
  • Consider alternative kinds of philosophical argumentation
  • Apply philosophical categories, methods and insights to other areas of human interest, experience, or cognitive inquiry
• Produced and disseminated scholarship and be able to frame, research, complete and defend the MA paper
• Developed the skills to appreciate and participate in citizenship in the academic community, in the larger community, and in the world and be able to:
  • Work with others for the sake of common purposes
  • Foster Jesuit ideals, including truth and justice
  • Enhance the pleasures of work in common