Requirements for the M.A.  are as follows: 10 courses (30 credits); proficiency in one foreign language; and a one hour oral comprehensive examination on a reading list in the history of philosophy. The M.A. may be taken on a full time basis or on a part time basis. Financial aid and tuition remission are not normally available for students seeking an M.A.

Course Work  The department offers courses intended exclusively for graduate students (700-800-900 levels) as well as courses intended both for undergraduate and graduate students (500-699 levels). Both sorts of courses may be applied to the fulfillment of the requirement of 10 courses (30 credits). With department approval, students may also take appropriate graduate level courses in other departments of Boston College and by consortial arrangement in other schools and universities (cf. Cross Registration, under Procedures and Regulations). Students may apply for transfer credit for two (2) graduate courses taken prior to entrance to the program and not applied to another degree program, subject to department approval and the regulations of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (cf. Transfer of Credit).

Grading  In each graduate course, in which a student is registered for graduate credit, the student will receive one of the following grades at the end of the semester: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C, F, W, J, or I. The high passing grade of A is awarded for superior work. The passing grade of B is awarded for work that clearly is satisfactory at the graduate level. The low passing grade of C is awarded for work that is minimally acceptable at the graduate level. The failing grade of F is awarded for work that is unsatisfactory.

Language Proficiency  The M.A. student must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language, Latin, Greek, French, or German. Proficiency may be demonstrated by receiving a grade of "B" or better in two semesters of the language at the elementary college level or one semester at the intermediate college level, in the 12-week summer language class for graduate students at Boston College, or by passing the department's own language examination. For further information on the language exam, please consult Prof. Peter Kreeft.

Thesis  A student may write an M.A. thesis in place of two courses (6 credits). It is the responsibility of the student to prepare a thesis proposal and to secure a thesis supervisor and second reader.

M.A. Comprehensive Examination  The M.A. candidate is required to take a one-hour oral exam before a board of three or four professors. The examination covers selected texts from the history of philosophy (cf. the M.A. Comprehensive Reading List). This examination is regularly administered in the week after the University Commencement. For good reasons a student may apply to take the examination at another time.  Students sign up for the examination by completing the Master’s Comprehensive Examination Selection Sheet and submitting it to RoseMarie DeLeo (if you entered the M.A. program before F 2007, click here for the previous version.)  A failed examination may be retaken once and once only.