Master of Arts in Philosophy

Philosophy

AT A GLANCE

AMU’s M.A. program in philosophy is normally completed in two academic years.
Undergraduate students at AMU can obtain both their bachelor’s and master’s in theology over just five years through our 4+1 program.
M.A. graduates from AMU have excellent placement rates in doctoral programs and educational institutions, business and legal settings, and diocesan and administrative leadership.
Small class sizes offer increased one-on-one mentorship and support from professors.

Our Mission

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Philosophy at Ave Maria University offers a focused program of study in the Catholic philosophical tradition, specializing in core areas of natural philosophy, metaphysics, and moral philosophy according to the systematic thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. The pursuit of Catholic philosophical wisdom at the graduate level is defined by the intellectual spirit articulated by St. Anselm of Canterbury: “faith seeking understanding.” Inspired by seminal papal encyclicals on the role of philosophy in Catholic education – including Pope Leo XIII’s Aeterni Patris, Pope Pius XI’s Studiorum ducem, Pope John Paul II’s Fides et ratio – and aligned with Vatican II’s declaration Gravissum educationis, the M.A. in Philosophy contributes to the revitalization of Thomistic thought as fundamental to a sound and rigorous philosophical formation. Students will engage broadly with the history of philosophy from ancient times to the modern and contemporary era, and they will learn to use tools of logical analysis and dialectical method to critically examine arguments of significance, both old and new, as ultimately oriented to the pursuit of truth.

AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY'S M.A. Phil Program

Student Learning Goal and Outcomes

Graduates of the M.A. Program will be well formed in the philosophical tradition of the Catholic Church, practice the habit of philosophical analysis, and possess a unified vision of philosophical wisdom according to the Thomistic tradition. Upon graduation, they will be accepted into doctoral programs for philosophy or other graduate programs suited to their professional goals, and/or find employment in institutions supportive of the skills and formation attained through the Philosophy M.A. Program. The analytical skills emphasized in the study and practice of philosophy are particularly valuable for fields such as law, business, and education.
Students will demonstrate a clear understanding of the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas in the areas of natural philosophy, moral philosophy, and metaphysics. The Philosophy MA Program at AMU emphasizes philosophical discourse in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Students will complete their MA with a Master’s Thesis that exemplifies their understanding of this tradition and practice of philosophical reasoning and writing.
Students will demonstrate a clear understanding of the principles of reality, using as primary tools the interdependence of faith and reason in gaining an advanced systematic education in philosophical wisdom. These tools of critical thinking and analysis integrated with fidelity to the Church’s magisterial teachings together forge a unique program of Catholic philosophical study in our present secular age. As part of this program’s recovery of the unity of truth from modern distortion, students will gain a comprehensive knowledge of the history of philosophy beyond Thomistic and Catholic philosophical thought, from ancient to contemporary approaches.
Ave Maria University offers a generous intellectual culture and graduate student community, including engagement with interdisciplinary graduate-level resources, with unparalleled pastoral care and spiritual guidance available to all members of the University community.
Through their program of studies, students will cultivate the habit of philosophical analysis and exemplify a unified vision of philosophical wisdom, enabling subtle discernment of different philosophical approaches to truth and wisdom.

Required Courses

Philosophical Logic
Thomistic Philosophy I: Cosmology and Psychology
Thomistic Philosophy II: Moral Philosophy
Thomistic Philosophy III: Metaphysics
Ancient Philosophy
Medieval Philosophy
Modern and Contemporary Philosophy
Modern Moral Philosophy
Philosophy M.A. Thesis
Philosophical Latin I
Philosophical Latin II
Object and Species of Moral Acts
Colloquium on the Ancients
Colloquium on the Moderns
The Abolition of Man: Christianity and Modernity
Love, Friendship, and the Future of Being Human
Fundamental Moral Theology
St. Augustine’s De Civitate Dei

Apply Now

Student Testimonials

"The Ave Maria Philosophy program instilled in me a profound sense of wonder born from deep understanding. Its stellar professors taught me not only in the facts of philosophy but also guided me on the path to being a philosopher, a lover of wisdom who lives in the pursuit of the Truth." Raquel Althoff ‘22‍

‍

"It is not just by Catholic standards that Ave Maria's Philosophy program excels: from antiquity through modernity, every major philosophical movement is studied with a thoroughness and charity unthinkable in another undergraduate program. Its range of material is impressive; its methodology is priceless." Corin Mellone ‘24

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the M.A. in Philosophy program must meet the following admissions requirements:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Admission is competitive, and successful applicants typically will indicate their capability to perform graduate coursework based on either:
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or higher, especially in writing-intensive humanities courses; OR
- A GRE Verbal Reasoning score of 150 or higher and a 4.0 or higher on the Analytic Writing Assessment; OR
- A post-graduate degree in another discipline;
Completed online application.
Current resume, including teaching experience if applicable.
Two letters of recommendation from sources familiar with the applicant's academic performance, aptitude, and probability of success in graduate school.
Statement of Intent (500 words): brief intellectual and professional biography, which includes a statement about his/her motivation for pursuing the M.A. in Philosophy.
A writing sample covering a topic in philosophy (minimum five pages). If a student does not have a paper on these topics, an academic essay that demonstrates the student's academic ability on any subject is acceptable.
The candidate must also complete an interview with a program faculty member before acceptance into the program.