The MA Philosophy program is offered by the Department of Philosophy .

Advisors: Dr. Carlos A. Sanchez

Requirements for Admission to Classified Standing

Candidates must meet all university requirements for admission. In addition, a student will be admitted to classified status only if:

1. At least 18 units in philosophy have been taken including at least 6 units in upper-division work, at least 6 units in the history of philosophy, at least 3 units in ethics, and at least 3 units of symbolic logic (Phil 9 or its equivalent). Exceptions based on comparable studies and experience may be made with graduate committee approval.
2. The average grade received in the 18 units is at least a “B”.
3. Three letters of recommendation have been submitted.

Admission to Conditionally Classified Standing

Applicants who meet requirements for admission to the Graduate Division but who do not meet all the requirements for classified standing will be admitted as conditionally classified.

Requirements for Admission to Candidacy for the MA - Philosophy

The basic requirements for advancement to candidacy  for the MA Philosophy are outlined in detail in the Academic Requirements section. The University requires that all graduate students satisfy the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)  as a condition for advancement to candidacy. For graduate courses that meet the GWAR, please refer to the Graduate Admissions & Program Evaluations website at www.sjsu.edu/gape.

Completing Requirements

Plan A - Thesis

Designed for students who wish to do a thesis.

Plan B - Option 1: Reading Intensive

Designed for students who wish to do a guided, individualized reading project.

Plan B - Option 2: Applied Philosophy Project

Designed for students who wish to do a project.

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

At SJSU, students must pass the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) .