The Department of Philosophy at Colorado State University offers a Master of Arts degree in philosophy. The department has established scholars specializing in traditional subdisciplines in philosophy including Aesthetics, Epistemology, Ethics, History of Philosophy, Logic, and Metaphysics.
The department also has a focus on global philosophies, including Asian and Arabic philosophies. The department has long been recognized as a leader in applied ethics, especially bioethics and environmental ethics.

Traditional Areas

Global Philosophies

Applied Ethics
The department welcomes graduate students with diverse backgrounds, including students with undergraduate degrees in areas besides philosophy. The aim of the M.A. Program is to train talented students in modern philosophical methods. Many of its graduates go on to Ph.D. programs at some of the leading graduate programs in the nation, while others pursue successful careers in industry, government and non-governmental organizations.
The MA Curriculum
The MA may be pursued along one of two plans, depending on whether students choose to complete their program with a thesis or a comprehensive final exam. In either case, the program is designed to be completed in two years of study.
Plan A: Thesis
Group 1: Metaphysics, Epistemology, and Related Areas (2 courses)
6 credits
PHIL 525: Seminar in Epistemology
PHIL 527: Seminar in Philosophy of Science
PHIL 535: Seminar in Metaphysics
PHIL 538: Seminar in Philosophy of Mind
Group 2: Theoretical Ethics (1 course)
3 credits
PHIL 547: Seminar in Meta-Ethics
PHIL 548: Seminar in Normative Ethical Theory
Group 3: Applied Ethics (1 course)
3 credits
PHIL 550/IE 550: Ethics and International Development
PHIL 564: Seminar in Animal Rights
PHIL 565: Seminar in Environmental Philosophy
PHIL 566: Seminar in Applied Philosophy
PHIL 567: Seminar in Social & Political Philosophy
Group 4: History of Philosophy (1 course)
3 credits
PHIL 500: Seminar in Major Philosophical Texts
PHIL 501: Topics in History of Philosophy
Philosophy Electives*
6-9 credits
Out-of-Department Courses*
0-3 credits
Thesis (PHIL 699)
6 credits
Total Program Credits:
30
A minimum of 30 credits is required to complete this program. In addition to completing program credits and courses required to address deficiencies, students must pass an oral defense of their thesis.
Plan B: Exam
Group 1: Metaphysics, Epistemology, and Related Areas (2 courses)
6 credits
PHIL 525: Seminar in Epistemology
PHIL 527: Seminar in Philosophy of Science
PHIL 535: Seminar in Metaphysics
PHIL 538: Seminar in Philosophy of Mind
Group 2: Theoretical Ethics (1 course)
3 credits
PHIL 547: Seminar in Meta-Ethics
PHIL 548: Seminar in Normative Ethical Theory
Group 3: Applied Ethics (1 course)
3 credits
PHIL 550/IE 550: Ethics and International Development
PHIL 564: Seminar in Animal Rights
PHIL 565: Seminar in Environmental Philosophy
PHIL 566: Seminar in Applied Philosophy
PHIL 567: Seminar in Social & Political Philosophy
Group 4: History of Philosophy (1 course)
3 credits
PHIL 500: Seminar in Major Philosophical Texts
PHIL 501: Topics in History of Philosophy
Philosophy Electives*
9-15 credits
Out-of-Department Courses*
0-6 credits
Research (PHIL 698)
3 credits
Total Program Credits:
33
A minimum of 33 credits are required to complete this program. In addition to completing program credits and courses required to address deficiencies, students must also pass a final examination.
Fall 2023
Spring 2024
Placement Record
Many of our MA students go on to PhD programs in philosophy or pursue advanced degrees in other fields, such as law, public policy, education, counseling psychology, and medicine.