Overview

The Philosophy programme at the University of Kansas offers a rigorous intellectual environment designed to deepen a student's understanding of fundamental human questions. This Master of Arts degree provides a structured yet flexible pathway for scholars to master complex analytical skills and historical perspectives.

Students must maintain a high academic standard, requiring a grade of B- or higher in all graduate-level coursework. The curriculum is balanced across three primary research pillars: Value Theory, Metaphysics and Epistemology, and the History of Philosophy. This ensures every graduate possesses a well-rounded foundation in the discipline.

The department provides three distinct pathways to complete the degree, allowing students to tailor their final requirements to their future goals.

Why Philosophy at the University of Kansas?

The department is distinguished by its commitment to research excellence across a broad spectrum of philosophical inquiry. Students have access to specialised seminars that explore niche topics, ranging from ancient Greek thought to contemporary continental movements and formal logic.

Teaching at this institution emphasises the development of critical thinking and the ability to extract and evaluate complex arguments from dense texts. The proseminar, taken in the first year, fosters a strong sense of community and academic rigour among the incoming cohort of graduate scholars.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 20712 per year
• National fee: USD 20712 per year
• Local fee: USD 8806 per year

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

Syllabus

Modules may include:

• Proseminar

History of Philosophy

• Chinese Thought
• Kant
• Seventeenth Century Philosophy
• Eighteenth Century Philosophy
• Nineteenth Century Philosophy
• Nietzsche
• Existentialism
• Phenomenology
• Contemporary Continental Philosophy
• Philosophy of Plato
• Philosophy of Aristotle
• Hellenistic Philosophy
• Theory of Knowledge
• Metaphysics
• Philosophy of Mind
• Plato
• Aristotle
• Hume

Metaphysics and Epistemology

• Philosophy of Natural Science
• Philosophy of Social Science
• Philosophy of Mathematics
• Philosophy of Language
• Theory of Knowledge
• Metaphysics
• Philosophy of Mind
• Rational Choice Theory

Value Theory

• Philosophy of Sex and Love
• Aesthetics
• Rational Choice Theory
• Political Philosophy
• Contemporary Ethical Theory
• Feminist Theories in Ethics
• Philosophy of Law
• Medical Ethics: Life and Death Issues

Additional Electives

• Studies in Philosophy
• Marxism and Critical Theory
• Readings in Philosophy
• Metalogic
• Modal and Non-classical Logics
• Nietzsche
• Frege

Completion Options

• Master's Thesis
• Qualifying Paper

Careers with Philosophy

Graduates of this programme are equipped with advanced skills in logic, ethics, and communication that are highly valued in numerous professional sectors. Many students progress to prestigious doctoral programmes to pursue careers in academic research and university-level teaching.

Beyond academia, the analytical training provided by the department prepares individuals for success in law, public policy, and bioethics. The ability to navigate complex ethical frameworks also makes graduates strong candidates for roles in corporate governance and non-profit leadership.