Questions about the graduate program? Please email philosophy-grad-program@tufts.edu.

Office of Graduate Studies links.

The program leading to the master of arts degree in philosophy is intended primarily for the student who is considering advanced work in philosophy but who did not concentrate in philosophy as an undergraduate. Typically, students admitted to the program plan to pursue a doctorate in philosophy (Tufts itself does not offer a doctorate in the field) though some students have other career plans.

The department's offerings range across the major areas of interest in contemporary philosophy. Each year at least four seminars are offered, typically on instructors' current research interests.

The department has particular strengths in the following areas: contemporary ethical theory, social and political philosophy, metaphysics and epistemology, philosophy of language and philosophical logic, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of science.

Master's candidates receive individual attention from members of the department in their specialized fields and have an opportunity to participate in the philosophical life of the department. The department has a lecture series, which brings six to eight eminent speakers to Tufts each year, and it sponsors a departmental colloquium and a student colloquium. Students also have access to the very active philosophical community in the Boston area.

The program leading to the degree of master of arts in philosophy requires nine courses, except in cases where the logic course requirement is waived. The required courses are usually taken over four terms, and students who are not eligible for the waiver are urged to satisfy the logic requirement in their first term.

A prospective candidate must also pass a qualifying examination in four parts. The qualifying examination consists of four topical examinations, each three hours long. All exams include questions of a historical nature.

Exam topics are as follows:

• Part I
  
  
  1. Epistemology
  2. Ethics
  3. Metaphysics
     
     
• Part II
  
  
  1. Philosophy of mind
  2. Philosophy of language
  3. Philosophy of science
  4. Aesthetics
  5. Social and political philosophy
  6. Logic
  7. Phenomenology and existentialism
  8. Feminist philosophy
  9. Philosophy of law*
  10. A great philosopher**
      

  *The faculty reserves the right to offer this examination only when, in its judgment, it is prepared to give it.

  **The subject of this examination must be proposed by the student and approved by the department.

A prospective degree candidate must pass examinations on all three topics in Part I and one topic from Part II. Students are advised to take at least one exam by spring of their first year. A student can attempt to pass the same examination no more than three times.

A limited number of tuition scholarships are available. The department also offers opportunities for master's candidates to work as teaching assistants.

Applications to the program are due on January 15th. A student wishing to start the program in January must submit an application by September 15th. (Please note that students are admitted to the program mid-year only in exceptional circumstances and only when space is available.) Applications must include, in addition to the standard GSAS form, GRE scores, a brief personal statement, a writing sample, and three recommendations.

General information regarding student loan applications is available from Tufts' Financial Aid Office, via their website, email, or phone (617-627-2000).

To request graduate application packets or information or to apply on-line, please visit the Tufts Graduate School website.