5 year BA/MA Program

The Department of Philosophy announces its new 5 year BA/MA Program. The program allows qualified UC philosophy majors (or double majors) to earn a BA and an MA in philosophy in 5 years (rather than the customary 6.5).

The program is set to take its first cohort of students in the fall of 2009-2010. Admissions for a limited number of places is done on a rolling basis, but applications should be submitted no later than May 15, 2009 to be considered for autumn 2009 enrollment. Tuition for 2009-2010 is being offered at a discounted rate.

Why should you enroll in the 5 year BA/MA Program in Philosophy? Here are just a few reasons:

  • Students who want to go on in philosophy can dramatically enhance their academic profile with an MA degree. Admissions into philosophy PhD programs is extremely competitive; an MA can increase chances of admissions by sharpening your philosophical acumen, broadening your experience, improving your writing, and deepen your relationships with philosophy faculty who will be asked to support you in the PhD admissions process.
  • The same can be said for students who wish to go on to law school, or PhDs in other related disciplines. A year of good experience in a graduate program helps demonstrate your aptitude for the intensity of graduate school. And along with that, it improves your academic profile and analytical skills.
  • In today's job market, a BA is no longer the ticket to the best jobs or the best pay. Students with advanced degrees are doing better and better on the job market because government, business, and industry wants smarter, more creative, and more talented team members. Enhancing your portfolio with an MA in philosophy can help you better succeed in an increasingly competitive world.

The Department of Philosophy here at UC is internationally recognized for its strengths in aesthetics (philosophy of art), philosophy of the life sciences (including bioethics and environmental ethics), philosophy of neuroscience, philosophy of cognitive science, and philosophy of mind. Faculty are involved in cutting-edge philosophical research in each of these areas; 5 year BA/MA students can expect to be a part of an exciting and dynamic group.

Admissions Requirements

The following requirements set the minimum for admission into the 5 year BA/MA Program:

  • UC philosophy major or double major with at least junior standing (official enrollment is for the quarter immediately following completion of the BA degree);
  • 3.3 overall GPA and 3.3 GPA in the philosophy major;
  • letter of support from at least one philosophy faculty member;
  • writing sample (ideally under 7,000 words) from an upper level philosophy course;
Note: all applicants must fill out the Graduate School's online application at: https://www.grad.uc.edu/admissions/app/.

Program Requirements

  • 9 graduate courses in philosophy (5 credits each for a total of 45 credits) --3 courses each quarter drawn from course offerings;
  • maintenance of a 3.0 GPA;
  • portfolio of papers (see below).

The portfolio of papers will consist of 3 substantial papers chosen by the student from any 3 courses taken while in the program. The papers should be revised and polished in light of comments received from the relevant professor. The student will write an introduction which will explain, briefly, how each (independent) paper is meant to fit into the broader literature on which the paper draws. An portfolio committee comprised of the professors for whom the 3 papers were originally written will evaluate the portfolio on a P/F basis. The portfolio must be submitted no later than the last day of the third quarter the student is in the program (usually spring).

Contact

For more information contact:
Professor Thomas Polger, Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Philosophy, UC phone: x6-6328, email: thomas.polger@uc.edu, 206 McMicken Hall