Overview

The Philosophy M.A. at the University of Houston is a nationally recognised programme dedicated to fostering deep analytical thinking and rigorous scholarship. Students engage with a comprehensive curriculum that bridges foundational theories and contemporary debates, ensuring they are well-equipped for the demands of doctoral research or professional intellectual work.

Consistently ranked among the top master's programmes in the country by the Philosophical Gourmet Report, the department provides a vibrant intellectual environment. The faculty brings expertise in diverse specialisations, including metaphysics, free will, moral responsibility, and the philosophy of language. This breadth of knowledge allows students to tailor their academic journey while benefiting from a high faculty-to-student ratio and personalised mentorship.

Why Philosophy at University of Houston?

The department is specifically committed to the development of philosophical writing and argumentation. A dedicated writing sample workshop is held during the second year to help students refine their work for Ph.D. applications. This intensive focus on communication and logic has resulted in an exceptional placement record, with graduates securing positions at world-renowned institutions such as Princeton, Cambridge, and Rutgers.

Students also benefit from a unique course-sharing agreement with Rice University, allowing them to attend graduate seminars at a neighbouring elite institution. Located in the heart of a diverse and culturally rich city, the university offers an affordable cost of living alongside access to world-class museums, arts communities, and a thriving professional landscape.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 918 per credit
National fee: USD 918 per credit
Local fee: USD 413 per credit

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The standard progression requires 36 credit hours, primarily focused on graduate seminars to ensure academic breadth. Students may choose between a standard coursework track or a selective thesis option. Modules may include:

Epistemology
Ethics
Free Will and Moral Responsibility
Metaphysics
Philosophy of Language
Philosophical Writing

Careers with Philosophy

The programme is primarily structured as a gateway to advanced doctoral studies, with a proven track record of placing students in prestigious Ph.D. programmes globally. Graduates develop highly transferable skills in critical analysis, logical reasoning, and complex problem-solving. These attributes are highly valued in various professional sectors, including law, public policy, ethics consultancy, and higher education administration. The department's placement record reflects the high level of success achieved by its alumni in both academic and professional spheres.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Seminar in Philosophical Problems

The Methods of Ethics

The Metaphysics of Individuation in Medieval and Early Modern Philosophy

Seminar in Philosophical Problems

Temporal Asymmetries and Fixed Past/Open Future

Philosophy of Deep Learning

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-05-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

30 SCH

30-36

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Houston, United States

Disciplines

Philosophy View 219 other Masters in Philosophy in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

GPA

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Applicants must submit an online application

There is an application fee of $40. For international students, there is an additional fee of $75 for a total of $115

Letters of Recommendation

Personal Statement: a BRIEF (less than 500 words) account of your background and interests in philosophy, along with any other information that will help us evaluate your record

Writing Sample: a paper of between 3000 and 5000 words representing your best work in philosophy

GRE scores are accepted but not required

Official transcripts are required from all undergraduate institutions that the applicant has attended

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

27540 USD / year

≈ 27540 USD / year
Out-of-State

27540 USD / year

≈ 27540 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

12390 USD / year

≈ 12390 USD / year

Living costs

Houston

United States

1067 - 1950 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

Interested in financing your studies? Find a student loan that works for you.

MPOWER Financing No cosigner. No collateral. No hidden fees.

Check your Eligibility

Get the funding you need to study in the U.S. or Canada - with a process that's fast, simple, and built for international students.

Flexible loans from US$2,001 to US$100,000
Fixed interest rates -- no inflation surprises
No upfront fees or prepayment penalties
Accepted at 500+ universities across the U.S. & Canada
100% online application -- instant conditional offer
Free visa & career support through our Path2Success program

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Philosophy.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Houston

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners