Graduate Program

Overview

The master's program in the Department of Philosophy at Western Michigan University is rated among the best in the country by The Philosophical Gourmet Report.

Year after year, our M.A. students are admitted to some of the best graduate schools. Recent graduates looking to pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy have been admitted to top-ranked programs including Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Michigan, Stanford, Berkeley, UNC, and Texas. We also have a strong track record for placing graduates looking to earn a law degree—with recent alumni being admitted to top law schools at places like Michigan, Virginia, and Berkeley.

The Western Michigan M.A. allows students to pursue three different degree concentrations: Metaphysics & Philosophy of Mind; Epistemology & Philosophy of Science; and Theoretical & Practical Ethics. Our graduate requirements are flexible and most students complete the program in two years or fewer. We offer a variety of graduate courses each semester. Independent study opportunities and collaborations on faculty research projects are also available.

Application deadline

For full consideration for funding, our application deadline is February 1. We will consider applications on a rolling basis thereafter (until April 15).

Financial aid

For the last four years, all graduate students who have enrolled in the Western Michigan M.A. program have received funding and it is our expectation that this will continue going forward. Financial aid is typically offered in the form of a graduate assistantship. First-year assistants typically lead discussion sections for courses taught by faculty, while second-year assistants typically teach their own courses. Please research the costs of attending WMU. More information on financial aid is also available from WMU's Graduate College.

Further information

Please refer to our frequently-asked questions. If you have general questions, contact us. If you have specific questions about the application itself, including how to submit materials, contact the Graduate College. International applicants are encouraged to contact International Admissions and Services.