Philosophy, MA | University of Alabama

The Philosophy, MA will be the only graduate philosophy program in the state of Alabama and will provide students at The University of Alabama and from the state of Alabama the opportunity for graduate study in philosophy. The concentrations in this M.A. program will also give students the opportunity to extend their philosophical studies related to Law, Medicine, or Mind/Brain to apply more successfully to and prepare for professional schools (Law and Medicine) and Ph.D. graduate schools (Philosophy, Psychology and the Neurosciences). This program will also help prepare students for their professional careers afterward in medicine, law, public service, and more, by helping them develop valuable general skills: analytic methods, critical thinking, problem solving, communication, argument building and information organization.

Admission

The Department of Philosophy maintains a selective M.A. program and invites applications for consideration by the department’s Graduate Studies Committee. Admissions to the M.A. program are only considered for the Fall semester. While funding for M.A. students is uncommon, applicants should apply by December 1 for full funding consideration. Otherwise, applications are due by April 15. In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, to be considered for regular admission an application must include:

Statement of purpose
Writing sample
Resume or CV
Two letters or recommendation

See the Admission Criteria section of this catalog for more information.

Curricular Requirements

Non-Thesis General Requirements		Hours
Required Courses
PHL 500	Proseminar	3
PHL 590	Capstone	3
Concentration Required Courses		6
Concentration Specific Electives		3
Select 3 credit hours from Concentration Specific Electives list.
Common Elective Courses		15
Select 15 credit hours from Common Elective Course list.
Total Hours		30

Thesis General Requirements		Hours
Required Courses
PHL 500	Proseminar	3
PHL 590	Capstone	3
Concentration Required Courses		6
Concentration Specific Electives		3
Select 3 credit hours from Concentration Specific Electives list.
Common Elective Courses		9
Select 9 credit hours from Common Elective Course list.
Thesis Course
PHL 599	Thesis Research	6
Total Hours		30

Common Electives		Hours
PHL 522	Neuroethics	3
PHL 523	Seminar in Medical Ethics	3
PHL 526	The Science of Ethics	3
PHL 530	Philosophy of Oppression	3
PHL 540	Seminar on Law	3
PHL 541	Law and Morality	3
PHL 542	T. Time Bmbs: Phil. Nat. Sec.	3
PHL 543	Phil. Issues in Intern. Law	3
PHL 544	Constitut. and Democracy	3
PHL 546	Leg. and Phil. Prob. Policing	3
PHL 548	Philosophy of Law	3
PHL 550	The Nature and Elements of Law	3
PHL 560	Philosophy of Mind	3
PHL 562	Neural Basis of Consciousness	3
PHL 566	Metaphysics	3
PHL 586	Philosophy of Science	3
PHL 587	Philosophy and Evolution	3
PHL 588	Philosophy of Mental Health	3

Concentration in Law, Ethics, and Society

Code and Title		Hours
Concentration Required Courses		6
PHL 550	The Nature and Elements of Law
PHL 544	Constitut. and Democracy
Concentration Specific Electives		3
PHL 541	Law and Morality
PHL 542	T. Time Bmbs: Phil. Nat. Sec.
PHL 543	Phil. Issues in Intern. Law
PHL 546	Leg. and Phil. Prob. Policing
Total Hours		9

Concentration in Mind and Brain

Code and Title		Hours
Concentration Required Courses		6
PHL 562	Neural Basis of Consciousness
PHL 564	Mind, Language and Reality
Concentration Specific Electives		3
PHL 522	Neuroethics
PHL 560	Philosophy of Mind
PHL 566	Metaphysics
PHL 586	Philosophy of Science
Total Hours		9

Concentration in Philosophy, Medicine and Ethics

Code and Title		Hours
Concentration Required Courses
PHL 589	Philosophy of Medicine	3
PHL 523	Seminar in Medical Ethics	3
Concentration Specific Electives		3
PHL 586	Philosophy of Science
PHL 522	Neuroethics
PHL 587	Philosophy and Evolution
PHL 588	Philosophy of Mental Health
Total Hours		9

Transfer Credit

Graduate School information on Transfer Credit.

Plan I

Students who choose Plan I will complete 24 credit hours of course work, 6 credit hours of Philosophy Thesis Research, a thesis, and a final oral examination of the thesis. Plan I students will complete 6 program required credit hours (PHL 500 Proseminar and PHL 590 Capstone), 6 concentration required credit hours, 3 concentration specific elective credit hours, and 9 common elective credit hours.

Plan II

Students who choose Plan II will complete 30 credit hours of course work. Plan II students will complete 6 program required credit hours (PHL 500 Proseminar and PHL 590 Capstone), 6 concentration required credit hours, 3 concentration specific elective credit hours, and 15 common elective credit hours.

Time Limits for Degree Completion Requirements

Graduate School information on Time Limits.

Student Progress Requirement

Students are required to meet with the Director of Graduate Studies prior to registering for classes each semester.

Academic Misconduct

Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.

Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information

Graduate School information on Withdrawals and Leave of Absence.

Academic Grievances Information

Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.

Grades and Academic Standing

Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing.

Graduate School Deadline Information

Information on Graduate School Deadlines.

Application for Graduation Information

Information on the Application for Graduation.