1. Course requirement.

Students in the M.A. program who choose to write a thesis are required to take eight graduate philosophy courses (24 nonthesis semester hours), at least four of which must be at the 700 level. Without a thesis, 11 courses (33 credit hours) are required, at least 6 of which must be at the 700 level.

2. Logic requirement.

Successful completion of the following, taken either as an upper-level undergraduate course or as part of the graduate program, is required of all M.A. students.

• PHIL 511 - Symbolic Logic

3. Language requirement.

A reading knowledge of one foreign language is required of all M.A. students. The USC language department administers tests of foreign language competency.

4. Comprehensive Examination

The M.A. comprehensive exam will be a written exam in the history of philosophy, covering three separate areas: ancient to renaissance, modern, and recent. The exams are based on reading lists of primary sources.

M.A. students will take the exam at the end of the summer after their first year. Passing the exam is required for M.A. students to get their degree.

Thesis Option

Students who choose the thesis option must also write a master’s thesis.