Apr 19, 2024  
2021/2022 University Catalog 
    
2021/2022 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Philosophy, M.A.


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(Major Code: 15091) (SIMS Code: 115301)

In addition to meeting the requirements for classified graduate standing and the basic requirements for the master’s degree as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees , the student must complete a program of 30 units of graduate coursework (500-799) selected with the approval of the graduate adviser. Students must complete a minimum of 24 units from courses in philosophy. The 24 units shall include PHIL 521 , PHIL 799A , and a minimum of 12 units of 600-level courses in philosophy.

At the beginning of every fall semester, every new graduate student is expected to attend an orientation designed to familiarize students with the program and to help them to get to know the faculty and other students in the program.

All courses taken to satisfy the master’s degree requirements must be taken for a letter grade when this option is available. Graduate students must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average in graduate courses taken in the degree program and may not advance to candidacy with less than a 3.3 grade point average. Grades of C or better for graduate courses are accepted for graduate credit. A grade point average below 3.0 at any time during a graduate student’s studies is considered unsatisfactory and will result in the student’s being placed on academic probation for the following semester. Students who are still achieving a grade point average below 3.0 at the end of the probationary period are subject to immediate dismissal from the program.

To be eligible to enroll in PHIL 799A , a student must be advanced to candidacy. Each student will arrange for a committee of no less than three tenured/tenure track SDSU faculty members (two of these necessarily must be from the Philosophy Department; one of the three must be from outside the Philosophy Department). One faculty member from the Philosophy Department will serve as the chair/director of the thesis.

Advancement to Candidacy


All students must satisfy the general requirements for advancement to candidacy as stated in Requirements for Master’s Degrees .

In order to advance to candidacy in the philosophy M.A. program, every graduate student must demonstrate reading proficiency in a language other than English. Languages may include both the formal languages of logic and mathematics and natural languages other than English (as appropriate to one’s studies in philosophy). Students shall consult with the graduate adviser to determine which language is appropriate. Proficiency in a language shall be demonstrated by earning a grade of B or more in either (a) no fewer than two lower division courses in that language or (b) at least one upper division course in that language. All grades must be earned either while the student is a graduate student in the philosophy department or at an accredited college within five years prior to admission to the graduate program in philosophy. Appropriate examinations may be given when available.

To be advanced to candidacy, a student must have achieved and maintain an overall grade point average of 3.3.

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