Program Description

Application Requirements

Program-Specific Instructions

Additional Information

Applicants to the MA program in PHIL, including all concentrations, must have completed certain undergraduate preparation coursework with grades of B or higher in each course.

For the MA with Traditional and Contemporary Philosophy focus, these courses are:

• 1 one-semester course in ancient Western (Greek, Roman) philosophy (GMU equivalent: PHIL 301); plus one 1-semester course in modern Western philosophy (GMU equivalent: PHIL 303); plus 1 one-semester course in logic (GMU equivalent: PHIL 173 or PHIL 376).

For the MA with concentration in Philosophy and Cultural Theory, these courses are:

• 1 one-semester course in ancient Western (Greek, Roman) philosophy (GMU equivalent: PHIL 301); plus 1 one-semester course in modern Western philosophy (GMU equivalent: PHIL 303); plus 1 one-semester course in logic (GMU equivalent: PHIL 173 or PHIL 376).

For the MA with concentration in Ethics and Public Affairs, these courses are:

• 1 one-semester course in logic (GMU equivalent: PHIL 173 or PHIL 376); plus EITHER 1 one-semester course in ancient Western (Greek, Roman) philosophy (GMU equivalent: PHIL 301) OR 1 one-semester course in modern Western philosophy (GMU equivalent: PHIL 303).

An applicant with a baccalaureate degree who has not met all admission requirements may, at the discretion of the department, be offered provisional admission if sufficient evidence is presented to suggest the applicant has the ability to pursue graduate work.

Under an offer of provisional admission, the preparation coursework must be completed by the time the student has completed 12 credits of MA coursework; and the preparation coursework must be completed with a grade of B or higher in each course. If the student does not complete the preparation coursework with grades of B or higher in each course within the time of completion of the first 12 credits of graduate study, the student will be terminated from the program. For more information on provisional admission please refer to Graduate Admission Policies.

The submitted writing sample should be 1500-2500 words in length. It must show evidence of the applicant's ability at analysis, reasoning, and argument. If possible, it should engage with philosophical texts. A paper that shows ability to conduct research and to engage critically and constructively with primary and secondary sources is a plus.

Academically strong Mason undergraduates with a commitment to research or graduate or professional studies can apply for an accelerated Master’s program and earn a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in as little as five years.

Accelerated Master’s Application Requirements

Accelerated Master’s Program-Specific Instructions

Preparing to Apply

Prior to submitting your application, meet with the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s (BAM) Coordinator, director of your undergraduate program and with the director of the master’s program. 

Applicants must submit:

• Transcript from PatriotWeb 
• Two confidential recommendation letters, preferably from philosophy faculty
• Goals statement of the applicant's goals in pursuing the MA in philosophy
• Writing sample that represents the applicant's best work in philosophy

Be sure to:

• Go over your schedule for completion of the undergraduate degree
• Plan appropriate graduate course work
• Be familiar with the: policies for accelerated master's programs

English Proficiency Requirements

All Mason students must have a full command of academic English to be successful in their studies. For this reason, Mason requires applicants to demonstrate English proficiency for admission consideration, regardless of citizenship. Click here to view the requirements.

International Transcript Requirements

All transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be translated into English, if applicable, and submitted for evaluation to the Mason Office of Admissions. Mason will provide evaluation service free of charge for all international transcripts, however, some programs may request an outside evaluation be completed. Because of volume, more time may be needed to process applications requiring a Mason evaluation. You should submit your application 6 weeks prior to the deadline if you plan to utilize Mason’s free evaluation service. For expedited service, students may submit their documents to any NACES member organization at their own expense. If you decide to use an external evaluation service or if your program requires an outside evaluation, GPA and Degree equivalences must be included with your course-by-course evaluation. Mason evaluations are used for internal purposes and are not released to applicants. For information on international transcript requirements, go here.