M.A. Application
Applicants intending to pursue a doctorate at Duquesne should apply for the Ph.D. rather than M.A. program, regardless of whether they already hold an M.A. degree in philosophy. If not offered admission to the Ph.D. Program, those who select the ‘consider for both’ option on the Philosophy Graduate Program Application will be shifted into the M.A. program applicant pool.
To be eligible to apply to the M.A., applicants must already hold or be in the final stages of completing a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in philosophy or a related humanistic discipline. It is helpful, but not required, for applicants to possess at least reading knowledge of at least one relevant research language (ancient Greek, Latin, French, or German).
The elements of the application – records of previous academic work, writing sample, statement of intent, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation – should present evidence of academic excellence, philosophical acumen, and ability to pursue the program successfully.
Some portions of the application must be submitted online; others may be mailed or submitted via Interfolio.com (application is free, but Interfolio may charge applicants who use it). Any mailed portions of the application should be sent to:
McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal ArtsGraduate Office
Duquesne University
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
All elements of the M.A. application (including letters of recommendation and GRE scores) must be received no later than March 1.
More on Duquesne policies and graduate program information is available through the McAnulty Graduate School of Liberal Arts pages.
Application checklist
A complete application consists of all of the following elements:
Submitted by applicant online
- University application
Submitted by applicant via mail or Interfolio
- Philosophy Graduate Program Application (download PDF form, complete electronically or by hand, print, and sign).
- Statement of intent characterizing research interests, describing reasons for seeking to engage in advanced study of philosophy, summarizing philosophical background and any relevant biography, and explaining specific interest in the Duquesne program.
- A sample of philosophical writing, maximum 5000 words.
- Two official transcripts from each college or university attended. These can either be scanned and submitted via Interfolio or mailed in sealed envelopes.
Submitted by others
- At least three letters of recommendation, each accompanied by a Letter of Recommendation Form (the applicant downloads the form, completes the top portions, and provides one to each recommender; the recommenders submit via mail or Interfolio). Letters sent via Interfolio are not required to use the form given above.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores from a test taken within five years of application. Official scores must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service to school code 2196, department code 2801.
- INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS ONLY: International applicants who are non-native English speakers must also send scores from a Test of Standard Written English (TOEFL) taken within three years of application submission. Official scores must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service to school code 2196. If accepted, arriving non-native speakers will be required to pass an English as a Second Language (ESL) test during orientation.
If you have any questions please contact Dr. Selcer, Director of Graduate Studies, at selcerd@duq.edu.