Master of Arts in Philosophy General (M.A.)

 

Bring Critical Thinking Skills to Any Field you Choose with an M.A. in Philosophy from WCU

As a philosophy student, you'll build critical thinking, analytical, and argumentative skills that will serve you well in any position you choose to pursue.

Studying philosophy provides the tools to analyze and explain ethical issues and see patterns that provide crucial information for solving problems.

West Chester University has been offering the Master of Arts in Philosophy for more than three decades and provides training in different areas and traditions of philosophy, including: Western Philosophy, Native American Philosophy, African & African American Philosophy, and Asian Philosophy. The program has particular strengths in topics in applied ethics including environmental ethics, business ethics, and topics in decolonial philosophy, socio-political philosophy, feminist philosophy, and social justice.

In the M.A. in Philosophy program, you'll gain a broad base for teaching excellence, a bridge to Ph.D. studies, and a solid foundation to pursue myriad roles in the private and public sectors. A philosophy master's from WCU will provide you with quality training in written and oral communication, research, and analytical skills.

The program offers full-time and part-time study with evening courses to provide maximum flexibility to working professionals and can typically be completed within two years.

Our graduates have gone on to doctoral programs, and to successful careers as lawyers, marketing and research consultants, data analysts, DEI strategists, healthcare administrators, journalists, teachers and professors nationwide. If you're interested in building a better future, the M.A. in Philosophy is for you.

 

Specializations in the Master of Arts in Philosophy Program

Standard Track

Train in the broad histories of philosophy across traditions and deepen your knowledge in areas of philosophy, such as Epistemology, Metaphysics, Existentialism, African American Philosophy, Native American Philosophy, Social and Political Philosophy and Ethics through WCU's standard track.

Applied Ethics

Train in the theoretical justification and practical application of moral reasoning. Students who pursue this track may choose to concentrate their courses in Business Ethics, Healthcare Ethics, or a combination of both. The Applied Ethics track is interdisciplinary and includes courses offered in conjunction with our other graduate programs including the Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Business administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Communication Studies, Master of Science in Urban Planning, and the College of Health Science.

Ethics Certificates

Earn an interdisciplinary graduate certificate in either Business Ethics or Healthcare Ethics in just 15 credits (5 courses). In Business ethics, you'll learn to recognize, analyze, and resolve problems in the workplace in a series of courses offered in conjunction with our other graduate programs including the Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Business administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Communication Studies, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and Master of Science in Urban Planning. In Healthcare Ethics, you'll take courses through WCU's College of Health Sciences that focus on Integrative Health, Approaches to Healthcare Delivery, and the Philosophy of Science.

 

Benefits of Earning Your Master's Degree at West Chester University

Accredited, Customizable Degree

WCU has been offering the M.A. in Philosophy for more than 35 years. It has an excellent reputation and is fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

With a standard track that offers both a thesis and non-thesis option, an Applied Ethics track, and two optional certificates, you're free to choose the options that interest you most.

Accomplished Faculty and Small Classes

WCU employs outstanding faculty. Each professor brings their own expertise and interests to the classroom from ethics of technology and theories of memory to peace studies and anti-oppression theory. They are frequent publishers and presenters both at home and abroad.

At WCU, our small graduate classes mean you'll receive personalized attention and an individualized program experience with faculty who are deeply committed to providing mentorship, and support to each student.

Affordable Tuition and Graduate Assistantships

Affordability is part of WCU's mission; it's why our tuition is among the lowest in the region and has been frozen for the last 4 years. To help put your graduate degree within reach, WCU also offers multiple graduate assistantships with stipends awarded annually.

Personalized Career Advising

As a graduate student at WCU, you'll have full access to the Twardowski Career Development Center (CDC). The experts at the CDC will help you explore career options, write your résumé, perfect your interviewing skills, and create a job search strategy. The CDC also hosts employment fairs on campus throughout the year.

Rich Department Life

A WCU you'll train in a lively, vibrant, and supportive community of philosophers with a broad range of philosophical interests that create a home for ethical debate and civil discourse. The Department hosts many well-known speakers and special events throughout the year, including:

• PHIKA!, a weekly open house chat between philosophy students and professors.
• Contemporary Issues on Race-Relations in America and the Philosophy Forum Lecture Series which provides a platform for faculty and invited speakers from the area to share their works-in-progress.
• Graduate Student Philosophy Conference brings participants and several speakers for a day-long event.
• World Philosophy Day with fun activities and games involving students, staff and faculty.

Some notable guest speakers hosted by the department includes:

• Richard Rorty
• Alice Ambrose
• W.V.O. Quine
• Cornel West
• David Chalmers
• Diogenes Allen
• Sydney Hook
• Peter Bertocci
• Ramakrishna Puligandla
• Owen McLeod
• Joseph Margolis
• Emily Welt

 

What Can You Do with a Master's Degree in Philosophy?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median salary of $60,000 for philosophy and religious studies graduates in the U.S. Salary varies depending on factors such as location, industry, and experience.

With a degree in philosophy you can go into research, work as part of a patient care team, work in schools, or even teach at the collegiate level. The fields where most philosophy and students graduates are employed are anticipated to grow anywhere from 3% - 19% through 2032. Some industries may require additional education.

Many of our graduates have gone on to be journalists, lawyers, marketing and research consultants, data analysts, DEI strategists, healthcare administrators, journalists, teachers and professors. Many have also chosen to pursue more education and have been accepted to programs at universities like Temple University, Duquesne, the University of Georgia, the University of Memphis, the Catholic University of America.

 

What Will You Study as a Master's Degree Student in Philosophy?

Your specific courses depend on your interests but may include:

• History of Western Ethics
• Philosophy of Human Rights
• Existentialism
• African American Philosophy
• Asian Philosophy
• Native American Philosophy

For more details about M.A. in Philosophy program courses, see the catalog page.