Program Overview

M.A. in Philosophy and Society Admissions Information

Guidelines and Information

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) will waive all application fees for members of the Society of Jesus to the M.A. in Philosophy and Society (MAPS) program.

Completed online applications for the MAPS program will include each of the following items:

• Resume/CV: Submitted directly via the online application.
• Academic transcripts: To be eligible for admission, applicants must hold a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the United States, or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from a recognized institution abroad.
  • If applying during the final year of undergraduate study, an unofficial transcript that includes all completed coursework to date may be submitted.
  • Unofficial transcripts from the institution where the bachelor's degree was earned, and if applicable, master's degree, including any institutions where transfer credits counted toward either an undergraduate or graduate-level degree, must be uploaded.
• International students: Transcripts from previously attended post-secondary institutions must be submitted in English or with a certified English translation.
  • For academic transcripts from institutions outside the United States, applicants are encouraged to obtain a course-by-course credential evaluation.
• Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores: GRE scores for the M.A. program are optional.
• Statement of intent: Up to 500 words, submitted via the online application.
• Supplemental essay (optional): Applicants may choose to answer an optional essay question to help the admission committee understand their unique perspective and potential contributions to the community.
• Writing sample: 5-20 pages in length, submitted via the online application.
• Three letters of recommendation: Submitted directly via the online application.

English Proficiency Requirements

International applicants whose native language is not English are required to complete and submit official scores from one of the following accepted English language competency exams:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Duolingo English Test
• PTE Academic
• Cambridge English Qualifications

Official scores should be sent directly by the testing service to the Office of Graduate Admissions, Fordham University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Preferred minimum score requirements:

• TOEFL iBT: 100 (taken before January 21, 2026), 5.0 (taken on or after January 21, 2026)
• IELTS: 7.0 band score
• DET: 130
• PTE Academic: 68
• Cambridge English Qualifications: 185 Overall Score on the B2, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency exam

Exemptions to the English Language Requirement

Exemptions are considered on a case-by-case basis and are generally permitted for international applicants who:

1. Are native English speakers from countries where English is an official language.
2. Have completed, within the past five years, at least two years of study at an undergraduate or graduate institution in the United States or in a country where English is the official language of instruction.
3. Received an undergraduate or graduate degree from a university in India.

GSAS reserves the right to require a language proficiency evaluation from any applicant. Requests for exemption from this requirement should be indicated directly within the application. The Fordham English Language Test (FELT) may be required for those students whose English proficiency scores do not meet GSAS program requirements. Additional coursework may also be recommended by the Institute of American Language and Culture (IALC).

Students are permitted to register for two GSAS courses during the academic term in which they are completing any IALC-recommended coursework, which generally occurs during their first semester of study.

Tuition costs associated with the learning of English as a second language are the responsibility of the student and will not be covered by a GSAS tuition scholarship. GSAS merit-based tuition scholarships are not applicable to the costs of additional coursework recommended by the IALC.