Course Requirements

Credits Required
All Philosophy MA students are required to complete six graduate half-courses in philosophy.

Distribution Requirement
Students must take six courses, at least one in History of Philosophy and at least one in each of two of  the following areas: 

Moral, Political, Legal, and Social Philosophy

Mind and Language

Philosophy of Science
(including Logic and Foundations of Mathematics)

Feminist Philosophy

Some courses may be designated as counting for more than one area; in that case students must elect for which it will count.

Course Completion Deadline
Students must complete all of their required coursework by the end of their second term (April 30th).

Minimum Averages
The Department expects that MA students must achieve an overall average of at least 75% to maintain minimal good standing. If a student receives less than 70% in any course, the Graduate Affairs Committee reserves the right to withdraw the student from the program.

Reading Courses
The equivalent of a half-course may be taken as an independent study or reading course with approval of the Graduate Program Chair. The Graduate Chair must approve the Reading Course. Upon approval, the Graduate Affairs Assistant will then assign a course number and manually register you in the course.

External Courses
Students may receive credit towards their MA program requirements of one half-course, or, in exceptional circumstances, up to two half-courses taken in disciplines other than philosophy, subject to approval by the Graduate Program Chair.

Selecting Courses
You will be required to consult with the Graduate Chair on your course selections. Typically, a sign-up sheet for meeting times to have courses approved is posted in September. However, the Graduate Program will advise as to the current year’s arrangements for this via email at the start of the academic year.  

Adding/Dropping Courses
Once your course selections have been approved, you must add your courses online via Student Center. Click here to be taken to Western's Office of the Registrar's step by step guide to online course registration. 

Last day to add: One month from the official beginning of the term in which the course begins
Last day to drop: Two months from the beginning of the term in which the course begins
Related Links:
Philosophy > Graduate > Courses