Social Philosophy (MA)
The Master of Arts in Social Philosophy provides an education for students from various disciplines who want to explore social, political, legal, and ethical philosophy, especially as it applies to fields like law, public policy, criminal justice, gender equality, migration, environmental justice, bioethics, and AI policy. Students enrolled in this program will learn to analyze the human condition through complex social, political, economic, and cultural contexts that characterize the contemporary global landscape. This program emphasizes the integration of theoretical work in the classroom with work in the community. It also encourages interdisciplinary research and engagement with a variety of philosophical traditions and methodologies. Though students in this degree may wish to pursue a career in academic philosophy, it is designed to support students with a variety of professional goals.
The Social Philosophy (MA) also offers an Accelerated Master's Pathway for Undergraduate students to complete their Graduate studies in a fifth year. Further details of the AMP, including the suggested sequence of courses, can be found under the Curriculum tab.
Program Highlights
- Work with internationally recognized faculty in philosophy to evaluate social and ethical challenges shaping our world
- Design your degree by clustering courses in primary and secondary areas of focus that you choose
- Gain global perspectives on questions of ethics and social justice through the non-European Traditions requirement
- Integrate theoretical study with work in the world through a semester-long internship in PHIL 511: Social Ethics Practicum
Related Programs
Curriculum
The MA in Social Philosophy requires 30 credit hours of coursework, an MA examination, and a semester-long internship through PHIL 511 Social Ethics Practicum. It is designed for students from various disciplines who want to explore social, political, legal, and ethical philosophy, especially as it applies to fields like law, public policy, criminal justice, gender equality, migration, environmental justice, bioethics, and AI policy. In addition to completing the required coursework, students work with faculty advisors to choose a primary and secondary area of focus aligned with their career goals. They uses these areas to select courses and choose an internship appropriate to these goals.
Entering MA in Social Philosophy students must have a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution. Applicants will ideally have some coursework in philosophy or related fields from their previous institution, but a BA major or minor in philosophy is not required.
Besides the traditional Master's program, the Social Philosophy (MA) is also offered as an Accelerated Master's Pathway where exceptional students can complete the program in a fifth year. A suggested sequence for the AMP can be found below.
Please note that course offerings may vary by semester.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Non-European Traditions | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Medieval Philosophy 1 | ||
| Chinese Philosophy | ||
| Virtue Ethics 1 | ||
| Topics in Ethics 1 | ||
| Philosophical Anthropology 1 | ||
| Current Philosophical Issues 1 | ||
| Social and Political Philosophy/Ethics 2 | 15 | |
| Social & Political Philosophy | ||
Select four additional courses | ||
| Select three 400-level Electives 3, 4 | 9 | |
| PHIL 511 | Social Ethics Practicum | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
In general, these courses meet the requirements, but sometimes a topic may not be suitable, in which case the Graduate Program Director will advise about a substitute.
- 2
While it is not required, students are advised to choose a primary and secondary area of focus. Students will take three courses in the primary area and two courses from the secondary area. These areas include:
- Social and Political Philosophy/Philosophy of Law
- Critical Philosophy of Race/Feminism
- Human Security
- Climate Change and Environmental Justice
- Bioethics
- International Issues and Perspectives
- Technology Ethics and Policy
- 3
Students may also take PHIL 500, PHIL 501, PHIL 502, and PHIL 503
- 4
Up to two electives may be taken in related courses offered by other graduate departments or schools within Loyola, subject to approval from the Graduate Program Director.
Students should consult with the Graduate Program Director if a course of interest is not shown in the curriculum grid. For a full list of Philosophy graduate level courses, click here.
Social and Political Philosophy/Ethics Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 431 | Marxism | 3 |
| PHIL 436 | Contemporary French Philosophy 1 | 3 |
| PHIL 438 | Topics in Continental Philosophy 1 | 3 |
| PHIL 457 | Aesthetics 1 | 3 |
| PHIL 459 | Philosophy of Law | 3 |
| PHIL 462 | Kant's Moral Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 463 | Virtue Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 464 | Utilitarianism | 3 |
| PHIL 466 | Major Authors in Moral Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 467 | Contemporary Ethical Theories | 3 |
| PHIL 468 | Topics in Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 469 | Ethics and Rationality | 3 |
| PHIL 470 | Ethics & Economic Justice | 3 |
| PHIL 475 | Philosophy of Nursing: Nursing as a Moral Practice | 3 |
| PHIL 477 | Social Health Care Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 478 | Research Methods in Social Justice | 3 |
| PHIL 479 | Issues in Applied Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 480 | Social & Political Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 481 | Philosophy of Action | 3 |
| PHIL 482 | Philosophy of Social Science | 3 |
| PHIL 483 | Philosophical Questions in Human Rights | 3 |
| PHIL 484 | Philosophical Anthropology 1 | 3 |
| PHIL 485 | International Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 487 | Moral and Legal Issues of Economic Sanctions | 3 |
| PHIL 490 | Current Philosophical Issues 1 | 3 |
- 1
In general, these courses meet the requirements, but sometimes a topic may not be suitable, in which case the Graduate Program Director will advise about a substitute.
Research Tool Requirement
There is no research tool/language requirement for this degree.
MA Examination
An MA Examination is required for students in the BA/MA, MA in Social Philosophy, and MA in Philosophy programs. It is also required for students in the PhD program who have not completed an MA thesis prior to entering the PhD program at Loyola. There are three options for completing the MA Examination depending on the program of study: (1) Oral Defense of MA Thesis; (2) Oral Defense of MA Paper; and (3) Faculty Review of MA Portfolio comprised of Two Scholarly Research Papers (article-length).
Options 1 and 2 are designed for students in the AMP and MA in Social Philosophy and the AMP and MA in Philosophy. Students work with a faculty advisor to determine which option is best depending on their career goals. Option 3 is designed for students in the PhD program. While students may fulfill the MA examination in any one of these three ways, it is strongly recommended that students take the exam that has been designed for their program of study. Students will determine in consultation with their advisors which MA Examination option is best for them. Students should also consult the GPD if they wish to deviate from the recommended MA Examination option for their program.
Suggested Sequence of Courses
Traditional Master's Program
Students in the MA in Social Philosophy may take any course from PHIL 400 to PHIL 490. However, students are advised to take courses in their first year that satisfy coursework requirements and/or introduce them to foundational philosophical skillsets. At the beginning of the first semester of Year 1, students work with a faculty advisor to choose a primary and secondary area of focus that aligns with their interests and career goals. Students will take three courses in the primary area of focus and two in the secondary area. They should complete no fewer than three of the five courses in the primary and/or secondary area of focus in Year 1. It is recommended that students complete PHIL 480 Social & Political Philosophy in Year 1. Students are also encouraged in Year 1 to take PHIL 478 Research Methods in Social Justice or a similar course that introduces students to foundational research and writing skills in social and political philosophy and satisfies an area requirement for the degree.
In Year 2, students complete any remaining coursework requirements and electives as well as PHIL 511 Social Ethics Practicum and the accompanying internship. Students will also complete the MA examination and work with their faculty advisor to prepare for their chosen career path.
A sample plan of study is included below:
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| PHIL 480 | Social & Political Philosophy 1 | 3 |
| Non-European Traditions Course | 3 | |
| PHIL 400-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Social and Political Philosophy/Ethics 1 | 3 | |
| Social and Political Philosophy/Ethics 1 | 3 | |
| Social and Political Philosophy/Ethics 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHIL 511 | Social Ethics Practicum | 3 |
| Social and Political Philosophy/Ethics 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHIL 400-Level Elective 3 | 3 | |
| PHIL 400-Level Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Primary area of focus.
- 2
Secondary area of focus.
- 3
May be taken outside of PHIL with GPD approval.
Accelerated Master's Pathway
Students can take up to 12 credit hours in the senior year with admission to the AMP. These credits are shared between the Bachelor's and Master's programs.
The following is a recommended plan of study for AMP students, but they are not required to take courses in this order. Students will work with a faculty advisor upon being admitted to the AMP to determine the best sequence of courses in their senior year based on the student's interests, the available course offerings, and the requirements of the degree.
| Senior | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| PHIL 480 | Social & Political Philosophy 1 | 3 |
| Social and Political Philosophy/Ethics 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Social and Political Philosophy/Ethics 1 | 3 | |
| Non-European Traditions Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Master's | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHIL 400-Level Elective | 3 | |
| PHIL 511 | Social Ethics Practicum | 3 |
| Social and Political Philosophy/Ethics 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Social and Political Philosophy/Ethics 2 | 3 | |
| PHIL 400-Level Elective 3 | 3 | |
| PHIL 400-Level Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Primary area of focus.
- 2
Secondary area of focus.
- 3
May be taken outside of PHIL with GPD approval.
Guidelines for Accelerated Master's Pathways
In Accelerated Master’s Pathways, students share limited, authorized credits between their Undergraduate and Graduate degrees to facilitate completion of both degrees in a shorter amount of time. Shared credits are Graduate level credit hours (400-level or higher) taken during the Undergraduate career and then applied both to the Undergraduate degree and towards Graduate program requirements.
Admission and Matriculation
Accelerated Master's Pathways are designed to enhance opportunities for advanced training for Loyola’s Undergraduates. Admission to these programs is competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the Graduate program. Accordingly, the admission requirements for these programs may be higher than those required if the Master’s degree were pursued entirely after the receipt of a Bachelor’s degree.
Students enrolled in an Accelerated Master's Pathway who choose not to continue to the Master’s degree program upon completion of the Bachelor’s degree will face no consequences.
Ideally, a student will apply for admission to an AMP program as they approach 90 credit hours in their Undergraduate career.
Students will not officially matriculate into the Master’s degree program and be labeled as a Graduate student by the university, with accompanying changes to tuition and Financial Aid (see below), until the Undergraduate degree has been awarded. Once admitted to the Graduate program, students must meet the academic standing requirements of their Graduate program as they complete the program curriculum.
Advising and Registration
Students in their final Undergraduate year will work with Advising in the home School of their Bachelor's program(s), as well as the Graduate Program Director of the Master’s program. Any 400-level or higher courses that the student plans to enroll in should be reviewed by both advisors to ensure that these courses will complete requirements for both degrees.
Registration in Graduate level courses during the Undergraduate year may require assistance from the Graduate Program Director and/or the student’s current academic advisor to enroll.
Shared Credits
Only courses taken at the 400-level or higher will count toward the Graduate program. At the Undergraduate level, students are restricted to enrolling in and sharing up to the number of Graduate level credits explicitly indicated in the catalog for their selected AMP program.
In general, Graduate level coursework should not be taken prior to admission into the Accelerated Master's Pathway. Exceptions may be granted for professional programs where curriculum for the Accelerated Master's Pathway is designed to begin earlier. On the recommendation of the program’s Graduate Program Director, students may take one of their Graduate level courses before they are admitted to the Accelerated Master’s Pathway if they have advanced abilities in their discipline and course offerings warrant such an exception.
Degree Requirements and Conferral
Undergraduate degree requirements are in no way impacted by admission to an Accelerated Master’s Pathway. Students should not, for example, attempt to negotiate themselves out of a writing intensive requirement on the basis of admission to a Graduate program.
The program’s Graduate Program Director will designate credit hours to be shared through the advising form and Master’s degree conferral review process. Graduate credit hours taken during the Undergraduate career will not be included in the Graduate GPA calculation.
If students wish to transfer credits from another university to Loyola University Chicago, the program’s Graduate Program Director will review the relevant syllabus or syllabi to determine whether it meets the criteria for a 400-level course or higher.
Programs with specialized accreditation requirements that allow programs to offer Graduate curriculum to Undergraduate students will conform to those specialized accreditation requirements.
Degrees are awarded sequentially. All details of Undergraduate commencement are handled in the ordinary way as for all students in the School/College/Institute. Once matriculated in the Graduate program, students abide by the graduation deadlines set forth by the Graduate program. Students in these programs must be continuously enrolled from Undergraduate to Graduate degree program unless given explicit permission by their program for a gap year or approved leave of absence. In offering the option of an Accelerated Master’s Pathway, the university is making possible the acceleration of a student’s Graduate degree completion. It should be understood that students may not request deferral of their matriculation into the Master’s degree program. If students would like to delay their Graduate studies after earning the Undergraduate degree, they may apply for admission to the traditional Master’s degree program. Any application of Graduate credit earned while in the Undergraduate program is subject to the policies of the Graduate degree granting school.
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 supersede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the MA in Social Philosophy students will have:
- Acquired advanced knowledge in social, political, and ethical philosophy and be able to: (a) demonstrate knowledge of foundational and contemporary debates in social and political philosophy, ethics, and critical philosophy; (b) examine how European and non-European philosophical traditions have addressed questions of justice, rights, and social life; and (c) develop expertise at the intersection of a primary and secondary area of research focus.
- Mastered the critical and argumentative skills necessary to analyze and address concrete social and ethical challenges and be able to: (a) identify and analyze the philosophical presuppositions underlying social practices, legal frameworks, or policy debates; (b) construct, articulate, and evaluate philosophical arguments in written and oral form; and (c) apply philosophical methods and insights to concrete problems in their chosen area of professional or scholarly focus.
- Integrated theory and practice through applied philosophical work and be able to: (a) connect philosophical frameworks to real-world challenges in fields such as law, public policy, criminal justice, or environmental justice through the Social Ethics Practicum; (b) reflect critically on the ethical dimensions of professional practice in their internship setting; and (c) articulate the relevance of philosophical analysis to non-academic audiences and contexts.
- Produced and disseminated original scholarship and be able to: (a) identify a significant question in social or applied philosophy, situate it within the relevant scholarly literature, and construct an original argument in response; and (b) frame, complete, and defend an original research project through the MA examination
- Demonstrated professional engagement and ethical commitment and be able to: (a) participate in academic and professional communities through seminars, workshops, or public forums in philosophy or related fields; (b) articulate and apply Jesuit values—including commitments to truth, justice, and care for the common good—to social and ethical questions; and (c) collaborate productively with peers, faculty, and community partners in shared intellectual and practical work.