The Department of Philosophy does not accept external applications for a terminal master's degree. A terminal master's degree in philosophy may be earned by Ph.D. students electing not to continue with the program. A terminal master's may be earned by: (1) completing at least 30 hours of graduate-level coursework; (2) taking a minimum of 24 hours of graduate-level formal, didactic coursework in philosophy; (3) satisfied the Graduate School's minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher for the 30 hours of graduate coursework. A master's degree in passing option is available to graduate students who have passed the Qualifying exam and been admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D.
Through the Combined B.A./M.A. (4+1) Option, the department offers exceptional students the opportunity to earn both the B.A. and the M.A. in five years. Students will be provisionally admitted to the 4+1 program only by approval of the department. The 4+1 MA requires 30 hours of graduate-level formal, didactic coursework. Further information about the 4+1 program is available from the director of undergraduate studies and on our webpage: https://as.vanderbilt.edu/philosophy/4plus1MA.php.