Program Overview

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Philosophy, MA

The Philosophy, MA will be the only graduate philosophy program in the state of Alabama and will provide students at The University of Alabama and from the state of Alabama the opportunity for graduate study in philosophy. The concentrations in this M.A. program will also give students the opportunity to extend their philosophical studies related to Law, Medicine, or Mind/Brain to apply more successfully to and prepare for professional schools (Law and Medicine) and Ph.D. graduate schools (Philosophy, Psychology and the Neurosciences). This program will also help prepare students for their professional careers afterward in medicine, law, public service, and more, by helping them develop valuable general skills: analytic methods, critical thinking, problem solving, communication, argument building and information organization.

Admission

The Department of Philosophy maintains a selective M.A. program and invites applications for consideration by the department’s Graduate Studies Committee. Admissions to the M.A. program are only considered for the Fall semester. While funding for M.A. students is uncommon, applicants should apply by December 1 for full funding consideration. Otherwise, applications are due by April 15. In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, to be considered for regular admission an application must include:

• Statement of purpose
• Writing sample
• Resume or CV
• Two letters of recommendation

Curricular Requirements

Non-Thesis General Requirements

• Required Courses:
  • PHL 500: Proseminar (3 hours)
  • PHL 590: Capstone (3 hours)
• Concentration Required Courses (6 hours)
• Concentration Specific Electives (3 hours)
• Common Elective Courses (15 hours)
• Total Hours: 30

Thesis General Requirements

• Required Courses:
  • PHL 500: Proseminar (3 hours)
  • PHL 590: Capstone (3 hours)
• Concentration Required Courses (6 hours)
• Concentration Specific Electives (3 hours)
• Common Elective Courses (9 hours)
• Thesis Course:
  • PHL 599: Thesis Research (6 hours)
• Total Hours: 30

Common Electives

• PHL 522: Neuroethics (3 hours)
• PHL 523: Seminar in Medical Ethics (3 hours)
• PHL 526: The Science of Ethics (3 hours)
• PHL 530: Philosophy of Oppression (3 hours)
• PHL 540: Seminar on Law (3 hours)
• PHL 541: Law and Morality (3 hours)
• PHL 542: T. Time Bmbs: Phil. Nat. Sec. (3 hours)
• PHL 543: Phil. Issues in Intern. Law (3 hours)
• PHL 544: Constitut. and Democracy (3 hours)
• PHL 546: Leg. and Phil. Prob. Policing (3 hours)
• PHL 548: Philosophy of Law (3 hours)
• PHL 550: The Nature and Elements of Law (3 hours)
• PHL 560: Philosophy of Mind (3 hours)
• PHL 562: Neural Basis of Consciousness (3 hours)
• PHL 566: Metaphysics (3 hours)
• PHL 586: Philosophy of Science (3 hours)
• PHL 587: Philosophy and Evolution (3 hours)
• PHL 588: Philosophy of Mental Health (3 hours)

Concentration in Law, Ethics, and Society

• Concentration Required Courses (6 hours):
  • PHL 550: The Nature and Elements of Law
  • PHL 544: Constitut. and Democracy
• Concentration Specific Electives (3 hours):
  • PHL 541: Law and Morality
  • PHL 542: T. Time Bmbs: Phil. Nat. Sec.
  • PHL 543: Phil. Issues in Intern. Law
  • PHL 546: Leg. and Phil. Prob. Policing
• Total Hours: 9

Concentration in Mind and Brain

• Concentration Required Courses (6 hours):
  • PHL 562: Neural Basis of Consciousness
  • PHL 564: Mind, Language and Reality
• Concentration Specific Electives (3 hours):
  • PHL 522: Neuroethics
  • PHL 560: Philosophy of Mind
  • PHL 566: Metaphysics
  • PHL 586: Philosophy of Science
• Total Hours: 9

Concentration in Philosophy, Medicine and Ethics

• Concentration Required Courses:
  • PHL 589: Philosophy of Medicine (3 hours)
  • PHL 523: Seminar in Medical Ethics (3 hours)
• Concentration Specific Electives (3 hours):
  • PHL 586: Philosophy of Science
  • PHL 522: Neuroethics
  • PHL 587: Philosophy and Evolution
  • PHL 588: Philosophy of Mental Health
• Total Hours: 9

Transfer Credit

Graduate School information on Transfer Credit.

Plan I

Students who choose Plan I will complete 24 credit hours of course work, 6 credit hours of Philosophy Thesis Research, a thesis, and a final oral examination of the thesis. Plan I students will complete 6 program required credit hours (PHL 500 Proseminar and PHL 590 Capstone), 6 concentration required credit hours, 3 concentration specific elective credit hours, and 9 common elective credit hours.

Plan II

Students who choose Plan II will complete 30 credit hours of course work. Plan II students will complete 6 program required credit hours (PHL 500 Proseminar and PHL 590 Capstone), 6 concentration required credit hours, 3 concentration specific elective credit hours, and 15 common elective credit hours.

Time Limits for Degree Completion Requirements

Graduate School information on Time Limits.

Student Progress Requirement

Students are required to meet with the Director of Graduate Studies prior to registering for classes each semester.

Academic Misconduct

Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.

Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information

Graduate School information on Withdrawals and Leave of Absence.

Academic Grievances Information

Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.

Grades and Academic Standing

Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing.

Graduate School Deadline Information

Information on Graduate School Deadlines.

Application for Graduation Information

Information on the Application for Graduation.