4. The MA Program
In order to satisfy the course requirement, a student must complete eight courses, of which three must be 'core' courses and at least three others 800-level graduate seminars. Graduate seminars typically require a substantial research paper and may require a class presentation. The presumption is that the other two courses will be graduate or 400-level undergraduate courses as well, but substitutions, including courses from other departments, are allowed with permission of the Graduate Director. At most six credit hours of graduate work (two courses) may be transferred from another institution. See http://www.gradschool.umd.edu/catalog/registration_Transfer.html for more information.
The Department offers the following four graduate courses, known as 'core' courses, specifically designed for students beginning their graduate careers:
These core courses will: (i) be taught at a suitable level for first year graduate students; (ii) be broad, covering at least a handful of central topics (although not necessarily attempting a general survey); (iii) be aimed at preparing students for further graduate work in the area; and (iv) be evaluated by a final examination and other work (i.e., not on the basis of a long term paper).
The course requirement differs for the philosophy of science track and the cognitive studies track:
Philosophy of Science Track:
Each student must complete the following courses:
Cognitive Studies Track:
Each student must complete the following courses:
A student may satisfy the logic requirement in one of four ways: (i) by completing PHIL 271 (Symbolic Logic); (ii) by completing the final exam for that course, even though the student did not enroll in the course; (iii) by completing a more advanced course in logic offered by the Department; or (iv) by demonstrating completion elsewhere of course work equivalent to or more advanced than PHIL 271. (Note that PHIL 271 is a lower-level course, and so would not normally count as one of the eight courses required for the MA degree.)
4.2 The Scholarly Paper Requirement
The Department does not require a thesis for the MA degree. However, a student must complete at least one scholarly paper exhibiting appropriate use of citations and standards of argument. The paper will normally be derived from a seminar or other course paper, but must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies for MA credit.
A student who wants to concentrate on the production of a more substantial piece of philosophical research in the course of obtaining the MA degree has the option of taking up to two terms (six credits) of Philosophy 798 (Master's Level Independent Study). This
course is run as a directed study with an individual faculty member, who is then designated as the student's MA Paper Director. Registration for a second term of Philosophy 798 depends on successful completion of three credits of writing in the first. The student's goal in the Independent Study is the production of an extended paper, equivalent in quality and scope to a standard masters thesis.
All requirements must be completed within five years of entrance into the program.
5. Financial Support and Good Standing
CPaS policy follows that of the Philosophy Department, as set out in the Department's Handbook of Rules and Regulations for Graduate Study. See http://www.philosophy.umd.edu/programs/graduate/financial_aid/.
CPaS policy follows that of the Philosophy Department, as set out in the Department's Handbook of Rules and Regulations for Graduate Study. See http://www.philosophy.umd.edu/programs/graduate/placement/.
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