Philosophy (M.A.)

Wayne State's Master of Arts in Philosophy prepares students to begin advanced training in philosophy for teaching, research or professional discourse. Our program is designed for students interested in personal enrichment, pre-college teaching foundations or the ability to analyze larger problems in mixed settings. Philosophy is one of the most versatile majors a student can choose. Because philosophy teaches individuals how to think, problem-solve, write, and communicate effectively, it provides skills that are useful in any field, including law, business, medicine and technology. The primary methods of philosophy are not the empirical methods of disciplines like physics or history, however. The answers to philosophical problems are not to be found "under rocks"; the answers are to be found, not by looking hard, but by thinking hard. Philosophy's methods involve the critical evaluation of fundamental assumptions and the construction and evaluation of arguments that criticize or support philosophical positions.