Graduate Program in Philosophy

Program Requirements

The student must take a minimum of 30 units of upper division and graduate coursework. Of these units, at least one-half (15 units) must be graduate level work (i.e. courses numbered 700 and above). Important note: while more than half of the units may be graduate coursework, the number of undergraduate units must not exceed the graduate ones. In addition to coursework, the student must satisfy a Culminating Experience Requirement (a comprehensive examination and a master's thesis and oral defense of thesis).

A. Coursework

Degree Requirements

To earn a MA in Philosophy, students must complete at least eight courses: four Philosophy seminars and four upper-division or graduate level courses in Philosophy and/or a related field with approval of Graduate Coordinator. Students must also pass a comprehensive exam (PHIL 896) and write and defend a Master’s Thesis (PHIL 898).

Students can petition to have up to 12 units of upper division or graduate work completed during their final semester as an undergraduate to be counted toward their M.A. degree. These courses must have been taken in the final semester before the BA was earned. These units must be in excess of those required for the BA degree and may not be used to obtain the undergraduate degree.

B. Filing the GAP

Each student must prepare, in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator, a Graduate Approved Program (the GAP). The GAP form, which can be obtained online from the Graduate Studies website (click here) should be filled out and filed in after the student has completed four courses towards the degree (i.e., non-prerequisite coursework). Be sure to review the university requirements for the GAP.

The GAP lists the specific courses to be fulfilled by the graduate student before the degree is awarded; it includes all philosophy classes (and approved non-departmental classes) taken for the degree, along with the classes still to be completed in the final semester. This form is to be downloaded, printed, and completed by the student. The student should then bring the completed form to be reviewed and signed by Graduate Coordinator. If the GAP is subsequently modified, the student must submit a GAP Substitution or Committee Revision Form.

C. Submitting the Proposal for the Culminating Experience

In addition to completing the GAP, the student should also prepare and submit the Proposal for Culminating Experience in order to set up a formal committee for the Thesis. Students must possess a minimum grade point average of 3.0 when they enroll in the Culminating Experience and by departmental regulations, they may have no remaining Incompletes at that time.

In addition to the minimum thirty units of coursework for the Master's degree, the GAP also contains certification that the student has met the University's first level written English proficiency requirement and indicates how the second level requirement will be met. In the Philosophy Department, the first level requirement is satisfied by successfully passing Philosophy 896 and the second level by successfully passing the subsequent Master's Thesis course.

If the GAP lists transfer classes (up to six units of transfer credit are permissible), then a Transfer Unit Evaluation Form must be submitted along with the GAP.

D. Academic Standards

Graduate students in Philosophy are required to demonstrate having made further progress toward the degree in each semester they remain in the program. Failure to make progress in any semester may result the student's declassification from the program. (See SFSU Bulletin on Graduate Policy for policy on declassification.) A student who fails to make progress in any semester should file an explanation, to be used in departmental review of the case, with the Graduate Coordinator before the end of the enrollment period for the following semester

Acadmic standards for Graduate Classified, Graduate Conditionally Classified, and Post-Baccalaureate Students are as follows:

• Good Standing Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better in any term.
  
  

• Probation Will be subject to probation when cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 (B) in any term.
  
  

• Disqualification Will be subject to disqualification from the graduate degree and/or advanced credential program and from further enrollment in the university if, during the semester of probation, there is a failure to achieve the minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B).