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Philosophy (M.A.)

Program Overview

Our faculty offer core graduate training in philosophy in the broadly analytic tradition, with strengths in several areas, including value theory, the history and philosophy of science, early analytic philosophy, metaphysics, and the philosophy of language. Many of our students enter with the intention of enriching their philosophical background and then going on to Ph.D. studies in philosophy elsewhere.

  • Application deadline: February 1 (for consideration for full funding) 
  • Minimum GPA 3.0 (4 Scale)
  • GRE is not required
  • TOEFL/IELTS (if applicable): 
    • For admission:
      • TOEFL: minimum of 90 overall; minimum of 20 on Listening, Writing, Speaking, and Reading subtests
      • IELTS: minimum of 6.5
    • For consideration for funding:
      • TOEFL: minimum of 25 on Speaking subtest
  • The Department of Philosophy awards between four and five graduate teaching assistantships each year.
  • These provide in- and out-of-state tuition remission (except for fees) and a stipend of $21,780 per year (9 month contract).
  • This is currently one of the best financial packages offered by any MA program in philosophy in the United States—see here for more details.
  • The fees (as of last year) are approximately $1,050 per semester; you can arrange to pay them over time rather than all at once via a payroll deduction.
  • VT provides a health insurance subsidy rate of 88% for graduate students, which matches what the university offers other employees; as for what you would pay, the rate (as of last year) is approximately $21 each month.
  • Tuition and fees
  • Visit this page for information about how to apply.
  • Visit this page for information about application fee waivers.

 

  • We offer an Accelerated MA degree for undergraduates at Virginia Tech.
  • In their penultimate year of undergradute, students apply to the program (click on 'How to Apply' to the left for details); deadline is February 1.
  • Minimum GPA: 3.4 (4 scale)
  • This degree requires one year of graduate study undertaken while enrolled in a student's final year as an undergraduate, plus one year of study enrolled at the graduate level.
  • Students need not major in philosophy to be eligible for the BA/MA program, although some prior coursework in philosophy is typically expected.
  • First-year funding is generally not available; to be considered for second-year funding (click on 'Funding' to the left for details), students must submit an updated application during their final year as an undergraduate after being accepted into the program.
  • Applications for second-year funding will be evaluated from the same pool as regular candidates into the MA program; funding status will be determined on the basis of this evaluation. 
  • All application fees are waived.

 

Questions?

Jordan MacKenzie, Director of Graduate Studies
217 Major Williams Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061