Why the UAlbany M.A.?

Designed for those who wish to deepen their knowledge in Philosophy, the M.A. program enables students to develop their own interests with guidance from expert faculty.

Some students use the M.A. as a launching-point into doctoral programs in Philosophy and cognate fields. The UAlbany M.A. also provides rigorous preparation for a variety of fields where logical analysis and critical thinking skills are essential, such as legal and public health professions, and can serve as a useful credential for some working professionals. As a SUNY program, it is a great value, especially for students who can take advantage of in-state tuition rates.

Some admitted M.A. students may be eligible for the Dean's Merit Award or the Great Dane Grad Scholarship. 

A Flexible Degree

  • Choose courses aligned with your interests from a broad menu of seminar options in cutting-edge areas like bioethics, social justice and law, and philosophy of AI as well as the traditional areas of metaphysics and epistemology, ethics, and history of philosophy. See our recent graduate classes here.
  • With a standard length of three semesters, the M.A. can be compressed into one year for full-time students or completed over a longer span of time for part-time students. See the program details here.
  • Choose your capstone project: a traditional MA thesis or a public talk prepared under the supervision of a faculty expert.
Logic
Philosophy Department Picnic

Philosophy Department Picnic

A Thriving Community

  • Our active colloquium series gives students the opportunity to learn about new developments in the field and meet leading scholars from around the world who visit campus to talk about their research. See our Events page here for details about recent talks.
  • The UAlbany Philosophy Association (UAPA) hosts an annual conference and has organized work-in-progress talks and other events. The UAPA is organized by Philosophy graduate students. See details about the UAPA here.
  • UAlbany has an active Minorities and Philosophy (MAP) chapter that organizes events, movie screenings, and workshops. The chapter is organized by undergraduate students, and graduate students are actively involved.
2022 Philosophy Grad Contest Winner Talk
2023 UAPA Philosophy of AI Conference 

2023 UAPA Philosophy of AI Conference

A Great Area to Live

  • Albany is the Capital of New York. Albany and the surrounding Capital District offer an affordable place to live that was recently ranked as the best place to live in New York and one of the best places to live in the United States.
  • The Capital District provides access to the Arts as well as many outdoor venues for recreation in the broader region (including the magnificent Adirondack Park). Graduate students can take advantage of skiing, hiking, biking, and river kayaking all within a short distance from the UAlbany campus.
  • Albany is a hub for transportation. It is within driving distance of New York City, Boston, and Quebec, and also has rail connections to many major cities. Locally, UAlbany students can ride CDTA buses at no charge by using their UAlbany ID.

 

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