Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts at Johns Hopkins University

Programme overview

The Philosophy BA/MA is an accelerated programme in which two 400-level courses count toward both degrees, so the MA needs eight additional courses rather than the ten required of PhD students earning an MA.

Faculty: Krieger School of Arts and Sciences | Department: Philosophy | Duration: Accelerated; up to five years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Baltimore, MD, United States

What you will study

In order to be admitted to the BA/MA program, students must already be a philosophy major; students can apply in the spring term of their junior year or any time in their senior year. If students meet the qualification for the BA honors thesis (overall GPA of 3.0, philosophy GPA of 3.5), they will automatically be admitted; others may be admitted on a case-by-case basis.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must be philosophy majors and can apply in the spring of junior year or any time in senior year. Students who qualify for the BA honors thesis (overall GPA 3.0, philosophy GPA 3.5) are admitted automatically; others are considered case by case. Apply through the online application (Combined Graduate Student option) with transcripts. No departmental financial aid; students whose MA extends into a fifth year receive a 50% tuition discount in that year.

Entry is for the fall semester. First-year applicants apply through Early Decision I, Early Decision II or Regular Decision, using the Common Application or Coalition on Scoir.

Transfer students are accepted into the entering sophomore and junior classes for the fall semester only.

First-year deadlines for entry in 2027: Early Decision I November 1, 2026 (financial aid November 15, 2026; decision December 11, 2026; reply January 15, 2027); Early Decision II January 2, 2027 (decision February 12, 2027; reply February 26, 2027); Regular Decision January 2, 2027 (decision March 24, 2027; reply May 1, 2027). Financial aid deadline for Early Decision II and Regular Decision is January 15, 2027.

Transfer application deadline is March 1, 2027, financial aid deadline March 15, 2027, decision release May 14, 2027 and reply-by date June 1, 2027. Applicants apply through the Common Application for Transfer.

The first-year and transfer application fee is $70, or a fee waiver. Johns Hopkins requires standardized testing (SAT or ACT scores, self-reported or official) for first-year applicants.

Advanced Academic Programs charges a $90 non-refundable application fee per programme application for Summer 2027 and later terms.

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