MA PROGRAM INFORMATION

Students pursuing academic careers in the humanities and the sciences may take the Master of Arts in Philosophy as preparation for Ph.D.-level work in philosophy and other environmentally related fields. The curriculum for the Master of Arts provides students with foundational training in environmental philosophy, the history of Western philosophy and religion, and interdisciplinary experiences through a flexible program. It is also a good background for students planning careers in environmental law, journalism, or work in the private, public, or non-governmental sectors.

In the initial stages of study, the Director of Graduate Studies will primarily advise students. Student supervision and advisement in the more advanced stages of study will be the responsibility of the student’s major professor and committee. Graduate students assume full responsibility for knowledge of all Toulouse School of Graduate Studies and University of North Texas rules, regulations, and deadlines published in the Graduate Catalog and of all departmental and program requirements concerning their degree program.

Milestone Schedule

1. Apply for Admission at least six weeks prior to registration (seven to eight months prior to registration for foreign students).
2. Meet with Director of Graduate Studies, assigned by department chair, to plan course of study for first semester before first semester registration.
3. Establish major professor/advisory committee and prepare proposed degree program upon or before the completion of 12 semester hours of coursework.
4. Submit a degree plan to the Department and Graduate School upon or before completion of 18 semester hours (or one academic year) of coursework. The DGS and Grad Coordinator will generate the degree plan.
5. If applicable, determine thesis deadlines, procedures, and requirements and submit a thesis proposal to major professor/advisory committee.
6. If applicable (i.e., for non-thesis students), determine the Capstone date, procedures, and requirements. Work in advance with faculty to design the 5900 Special Problems: MA Capstone course and consult with the DGS in preparation.
7. If applicable, (i.e., for pass-through students), identify a major professor and enroll in a 5900 Special Problems: Passthrough MA Capstone course.
8. Apply for graduation early in the semester of targeted graduation date.
9. Ensure that degree plan is up to date and thesis defense is scheduled (if applicable)
10. Submit final defended copy of thesis or complete the capstone course.

Time Limitations -All course work and other requirements to be credited toward the master’s degree must be completed within five years. Time limits are strictly enforced. Students exceeding the time limit may be required to repeat the Capstone course, replace out-of-date credits with up-to-date work, and/or show other evidence of being up-to-date. Students anticipating they will exceed the time limit should apply for a leave of absence (see below).

Degree Plans -In order to receive a degree, every UNT graduate student must have a degree plan filed with the Toulouse Graduate School. Students will meet with the DGS during their first semester and map out the degree plan. Students must have a degree plan filed to the department and the graduate school by the end of their first year. This is done by the DGS and Grad Coordinator but students will have several opportunities to review and discuss their degree plans. Degree plans can be altered over the duration of course work as many times as the student decides.  Every change in the degree plan must be filed with the department and the graduate school. A finalized degree plan must be filed when all requirements are met in order for the student to graduate.

Leave of Absence -This applies to students admitted to the master’s degree program who wish to discontinue work toward the degree for a specified period of time due to exigent circumstances. Leave of absence requests are granted by the Graduate School. If the student has begun thesis and is under the continuous enrollment requirement, a waiver of continuous enrollment must also be requested and approved by the Graduate School. A ‘stop clock’ request can also be made if necessary. Degree requirements and graduation must be completed within the appropriate time limit for completion of the degree. The leave of absence form is available here: https://tgs.unt.edu/sites/default/files/Leave%20of%20Absence%20Form%20PDF%20Updated_0.pdf

MA OPTIONS AND COURSE SEQUENCES

Thesis Option: Students take a total of 30 semester credit hours (10 courses). At least 24 hours (8 courses) must be taken in the Department of Philosophy and Religion; 6 hours (two courses) may be taken outside of the department. Outside course work is optional, not required. After completing course work, students will submit a Master's Thesis, a substantial work of original scholarship. Students may enroll in PHIL 5950 after they have completed course work and have not yet completed the thesis. Students must pass an oral defense of the Master's Thesis.

Non-Thesis Option: Students take a total of 30 semester credit hours (10 courses). At least 24 hours (8 courses) must be taken in the Department of Philosophy and Religion; 6 hours (two courses) may be taken outside of the department. Outside course work is optional, not required. The Comprehensive Exam is conducted during the final semester of the student's coursework.

Pass-through Option: Available only to students pursing a PhD in Philosophy at UNT. Students take a total of 30 semester credit hours (ten courses). At least 24 hours (eight courses) must be taken in the Department of Philosophy and Religion; 6 hours (two courses) may be taken outside of the department. Outside course work is optional, not required. After completing 27 hours of course work, students will enroll in 3 hours of PHIL 5900 Special Problems as a capstone course.

MA CAPSTONE -Terminal MA students may elect for a capstone course as their required "culminating experience." Students will work with a departmental faculty member to design a PHIL 5900 MA Capstone course. Student and instructor will submit a syllabus and work with the DGS and Grad Coordinator to create the 3-credit-hour section and ensure that the student is enrolled prior to the semester. The capstone course provides an opportunity for the student to synthesize key ideas learned throughout their program, and it allows the student to demonstrate their expertise in a chosen field of study.

As with any Special Problems course, the student and instructor will conduct regular meetings throughout the semester in order to discuss the selected readings and other course materials. The required term paper for the Capstone, however, will be graded by a committee of three faculty departmental faculty members - the instructor of record and two others of their choosing.