The Master of Arts degree program in philosophy at Kent State University offers intensive, in-depth study of philosophy, with particular attention to the diversity and plurality of philosophical methods, perspectives, and traditions, and their relation to other disciplines. Most of our graduates go on to pursue doctoral degrees in philosophy, while others are seeking a terminal Master's in philosophy to supplement and enhance their careers or their work in other disciplines.
The graduate program stresses both breadth and depth and offers students the option of a thesis or a non-thesis research project as a culminating experience. For more information, see the Program Requirements and the Program Overview pages.
The M.A. program introduces students to the practices of philosophy beyond reading texts and writing papers. The Department of Philosophy at Kent State University hosts the annual Kent State University Philosophy Graduate Student Conference in Remembrance of May 4th. The graduate student conference is conceived, planned, and organized by philosophy graduate students. Planning for the conference includes a call for papers soliciting submissions from graduate students in philosophy graduate programs from across the US and Canada. In addition to presentations by graduate students, the conference features a keynote speaker. Past keynote speakers include Hubert Dreyfus, Fred Evans, Larry Hickman, Jaakko Hintikka, Sherri Irvin, John Lachs, Charles Scott, and Donn Welton. Papers are posted in an online program available at the conference website.
In addition to the annual philosophy graduate student conference, the department hosts guest speakers as part of the Veroni lecture series. See the Current Events page for current speakers. Previous Veroni lecturers include Elizabeth Anderson, Richard Bernstein, Susan Bordo, Robert Brandom, David Carr, Donald Davidson, Mark Johnson, Richard Schacht, and Nancy Sherman. Other recent guest speakers include Anthony Appiah, Susan Haack, Sandra Harding, Daphne Patai, Neil Sinhababu, and Naomi Zack.
