California State University, Sacramento Department of Philosophy
	THE MASTERS DEGREE IN PHILOSOPHY   The difference between the Ph.D. degree and the Masters degree is primarily a difference between the amount and intensity of work.  The Masters takes about one-half to one-third the work, but it has less prestige, and it is harder to get a teaching job in philosophy with only the Masters. A Ph.D., which entitles one to the prefix "Dr.", usually requires that a student do a few years of coursework (1-3), take a series of tests or qualifying exams, and then write a Ph.D. thesis. A Ph.D. thesis is an involved piece of philosophical research and argumentation on some topic of the candidate’s choosing that makes a significant contribution to the discipline as a whole. Philosophy students write theses on topics in all the sub-disciplines of philosophy—metaphysics, history of philosophy, logic, philosophy of science, ethics, and so on. A Masters degree in philosophy, usually abbreviated "M.A." after the person’s name for "Master of Arts," requires some similar work, but it takes less time and work. Masters students are usually required to complete a few years of coursework (1-3), take some qualifying exams, and write a Masters thesis. The exact details on how much coursework, what sort of exams, and what kind of thesis, if any, depend on the department. Often less coursework is required in a department for the M.A. than for the Ph.D. Also, Masters students have to take fewer and less difficult tests. And the Masters thesis does not have to be as comprehensive, as long, or make as important a contribution to the discipline as the Ph.D. thesis. Most universities in the United States that offer the Ph.D. degree do not offer a terminal Masters degree program--a program that has the Masters degree as its sole and final goal.  Students in their graduate program will be awarded the Masters as part of their requirements for the Ph.D., but the programs central focus is on producing Ph.Ds. Most of these programs will not accept or enroll students for the single purpose of acquiring a Masters degree. There are many terminal Masters degree programs, however, and many in northern California where CSUS students have gone on to pursue graduate work in philosophy. San Francisco State University, San Jose State University, and the University of California at Santa Cruz all have terminal Masters programs in philosophy. A good resource for finding graduate programs in philosophy, both Ph.Ds and Masters, is the Directory of American Philosophers. We have a copy in the Philosophy Department office at CSUS. You can also find information about the various schools that offer the masters degree by viewing the Philosophical Gourmet report: http://www.blackwellpublishers.co.uk/gourmet/ For a cautionary note about trusting rankings of philosophy departments, see the APA on ranking philosophy graduate schools. What can you do with a Masters degree in Philosophy? Most people who choose to pursue graduate work in philosophy pursue a doctorate degree. But there are several occupations and pursuits where an M.A. in philosophy would be useful: In the private sector, employers are often looking for people with excellent writing, reasoning, problem solving, and communication skills. Students with undergraduate degrees often excel at these jobs; students with Masters degrees can do even better. Many people get a Masters degree in philosophy in order to prepare for futher graduate work like law school, or to qualify for a Ph.D. program in philosophy. Admissions committees for law schools and Ph.D. programs are often impressed with a student with a Masters, particularly when compared to other candidates with only the B.A. The Masters student has demonstrated that she can succeed at graduate work, and that she has self-discipline, motivation, and a commitment to her education. Many students who are interested in theology, divinity degrees, the priesthood, or other religious occupations find a Masters degree in philosophy to be a natural step in their education that gives them excellent preparation for their future work. Although it is usually not part of the standard curriculum for public K-12 schools, some private high schools, particularly ones with religious affiliations, hire philosophy teachers. Although colleges and universities usually require teachers to have a Ph.D., in some cases, particularly at the community college level, a person with an M.A. in philosophy can teach. The American Philosophical Association has several helpful publications for more information about programs, jobs, and the discipline: Guide to Graduate Programs in Philosophy, A Non-Academic Career? Information, Resources, and Background on Options for Philosophers, So, You Want to Teach Pre-College Philosophy? The Philosophy Major.   http://www.apa.udel.edu/apa/publications/directory.html   PHILOSOPHY DEPT College of Arts and Letters / Admissions / CSUS e-mail comments about this web page Last updated: Oct. 18, 2001