The M.A. in philosophy is a very small program serving a narrow range of applicants:
(a) current University of Michigan students in other doctoral programs for whom a graduate credential in philosophy would complement their primary degree;
(b) current University of Michigan law students;
(c) military personnel who require a master's degree in philosophy;
(d) in very rare cases, other self-funded applicants whose circumstances closely align with the program's purpose.
The program admits at most one or two students in a typical year, and in some years admits none. The M.A. is not intended to serve as a general advanced credential in philosophy, as preparation for Ph.D. study elsewhere, or as a pathway into the Ph.D. program at Michigan. No financial aid is available for M.A. students.
If a student in the M.A. program decides they want to earn a Ph.D., they must apply for admission to the Ph.D. program in the normal manner, in competition with other applicants. M.A. students at Michigan will not be given special consideration for admission to the Ph.D. program. If an M.A. student is accepted into the Ph.D. program, coursework done as an M.A. candidate will not automatically be credited toward the Ph.D. requirements. Whether some or all of it is so credited is to be decided by petition.
Applications for the master's program are accepted for entry in the fall term. The application deadline is the same as the current Ph.D. program application deadline.
