MA Philosophy at Arizona State University

Programme overview

In the Master of Arts program in philosophy at The School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, you are able to study both traditional and contemporary philosophy, including ethics, political philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of law, philosophy of science, feminist philosophy, philosophy of language, experimental philosophy and the history of philosophy. You have access to an active colloquium series and regular philosophical conferences on diverse topics.

What you will study

30 credit hours and a portfolio, or 30 credit hours and a thesis Required Core Areas (9 credit hours) epistemology (3) metaphysics (3) value theory (3) Electives and Research (15 or 21 credit hours) Culminating Experience (0 or 6 credit hours) PHI 599 Thesis (6) or portfolio (0) Additional Curriculum Information There are two culminating experience options for the master's degree program in philosophy: the thesis option and the nonthesis portfolio option.

Career pathways

The MA program in philosophy helps students develop and hone skills that are highly marketable and easily transferable. Philosophy teaches its students to think critically, creatively and imaginatively. Career examples: businessperson, computer programmer, counselor, educator, journalist, lawyer, politician, public policy analyst.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts statement of purpose curriculum vitae writing sample three letters of recommendation proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency, a copy of an article or research paper in their native or principal research language, as well as the English writing sample required of all students regardless of their current residency.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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