Accelerated BA / MA - Soaring Scholars
The Philosophy Soaring Scholars program is perfect for the excellent student who is primed for a career in the health sciences, professional ethics, or education, and who wants to investigate critical philosophical and methodological questions animating their future workplace or larger institutions. Soaring Scholars save time and money by completing the MA in only one additional year, and taking 3 graduate classes at undergraduate tuition rates/covered by undergraduate scholarships & financial aid. Soaring Scholars also get a first taste of the graduate student life through intensive study of applied philosophy.
Students admitted to the accelerated program take 9 hours of graduate (600-level) classes while still an undergrad, and apply those hours to both the BA in Philosophy and the MA in Applied Philosophy. Then, only 24 additional hours of graduate coursework are required to complete the MA. The program is open to students in all undergraduate major tracks within Philosophy, and in either track in the MA program.
The guidelines for this accelerated BA/MA track are as follows:
- Your GPA -- both overall and in the Philosophy major -- must be 3.5 or higher.
- Meet with your academic advisor to draft a preliminary flight plan
- In the second semester of your junior year, apply for the accelerated program -- March 15 for fall admission, November 15 for spring admission.
- Count up to 9 hours of graduate credit toward the BA; and if you earn a grade of B or better in each course, it will also count toward the MA.
- Once admitted, meet regularly with the program director to ensure you are still on track.
Some Sample Curricula for Accelerated BA in Philosophy / MA in Applied Philosophy:
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BA Bioethics track & MA Health Care Ethics track |
BA Social Science track & MA Practical & Applied track |
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BA-only courses (25 hours = 8 regular courses + PHIL 300 = 1 hour) |
PHIL 300 (1 hour) PHIL 301 & 303 PHIL 321 PHIL 323 PHIL 311, 412, 512, or stats PHIL 325 PHIL 341 WR or 356 WR PHIL 502 capstone |
PHIL 300 (1 hour) PHIL 301 & 304 PHIL 321 PHIL 308 PHIL 311, 412, 512, or stats PHIL 341 WR, 356 WR, or 521 WR PHIL 459 PHIL 502 capstone |
Double-counted credits (9 hours = 3 courses) |
PHIL/BETH 680 PHIL/BETH 681 PHIL/BETH 682 |
PHIL 630 PHIL 616 PHIL 631 |
MA-only courses (24 hours = 8 courses) |
BETH 683 BETH 684 BETH 636 OR LAW 980 BETH 685 4 electives |
PHIL 659 PHIL 681 PHIL 602 PHIL 685, 691, or 695 4 topical electives |
