Analytic MA Programs

[Greenwood16]

If I was interested in an M.A. in philosophy before later graduate work in the analytic tradition (especially logic, philosophy of language, philosophy of mathematics), which programs are worth looking into with regards to "fit"? Do M.A. programs typically have a particular strength or are they often more comprehensive? Should an undergraduate even be looking for a masters particularly strong in their sub-discipline or should they just be considering the best overall masters program? 

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited October 31, 2014 by Greenwood16

[ZiggyPhil]

Most M.A. programs are generalist, and the specialist ones I've seen do not specialize in the areas you're interested in (There's one M.A., for example, that focuses on environmental ethics).  As far as fit, I'd look at faculty lists and make sure there's at least one prof. who does work in those areas.  Outside of that, I'd go with the best overall program you get admitted to (and funded for!).

[Phil519]

For your interests, probably NIU and Brandeis would be the closest fit. UW-Milwaukee and Tufts would probably accomodate your interests. Really, for an MA program, just go to one with a good placement record and good funding. You won't need faculty in your specialty area until you are at the PhD level.

[Establishment]

M.A.'s are generalist programs yes, but they can be generalist programs in either the continental or analytic tradition. (For continental: See Loyola Marymount, Miami University, etc. For analytic: See NIU, Tufts, etc.)

 

For your interests, you might consider UWM:

 

UWM has Liston for philosophy of mathematics, I'm not aware of any other MA program that could offer that. (NIU's Valia Allori contra the NIU page, does not list phil. math on her own research interests.)

 

UWM has Leeds, primarily I'd say, for (mathematical) logic, but a number of other folks too who you might be able to work with depending on your particular interests in logic (mathematical logic? phil. logic?). I think this is another area that's probably not covered at other places (Particularly GSU afaik)

 

Phil language is popular enough that most MA programs could accommodate that interest.

[Establishment]

You won't need faculty in your specialty area until you are at the PhD level.

 

I don't know if I agree with this. You don't need anyone in particular in your specialty area, because your specialty area as that area in which you are specialized is distinct from that in which are you are interested. If you don't get into any of your best fit PhD programs, you might find yourself deciding to attend anyways and specializing (if by specializing we're taking it to mean the area of your dissertation) in whatever comes your way while at your program.

 

That said, we all have our interests, and want faculty who can encourage and develop our abilities in that area, whether at the BA, MA, or PhD level. I don't think there's anything wrong in going about finding an MA program based on a specialty area. You're still going to have opportunities to seek breadth if you so wish.

 

One might also take a look at one professor's remarks here: http://dailynous.com/2014/10/28/pre-phd-program-coursework:

"Loosely related… In the hopes of giving our MA students sound advice on cover letters and writing samples, a colleague of mine and I emailed some friends from various PhD granting institutions to ask about continuity. We were specifically interested in whether or not it was a plus, a minus, or neutral to have a writing sample in an area that matched with the proposed area of PhD study described in the letter. For the most part, folks at PhD granting institution saw it as a plus if there was cohesion. This is a bit of a leap, but it makes me think that many people on admissions committees at top programs value focus."

[dgswaim]

Shameless plug for my own program: LSU's program has several people interested in this kind of stuff. Jeff Roland is heavily into philosophy of mathematics (especially realism and set theory) and logic (especially model theory). He teaches a seminar in philosophy of mathematics pretty regularly for grads and upper-division undergrads. He's doing a grad seminar on modal logics and philosophical issues related to them right now, which is a lot of fun.

 

Jon Cogburn does a goodly amount of logic but leans more toward proof theory. He's directing a thesis for one of the students in the program right now, and the topic has to do with applications of fuzzy logics and other many-valued logics with respect to vagueness in metaphysics. He's into meta-metaphysics stuff lately, too. Really cool guy.

 

Charles Pence was just hired this year, and (even though phil bio is his main area) he knows a lot about the history and philosophy of math, the history and philosophy of logic, and so on. 

 

So, if you wanted to write a thesis in phil math, phil logic, or some such thing, you've got your three person committee right there. Our program is a bit off the beaten path, but lots of good people here.

[alethicethic]

SFSU is also worth checking out. Bas van Fraassen runs a terrific logic workshop each semester with variable topics (for instance, logical puzzles that bear on the philosophy of language, or space and time, etc.) You can also enroll in one course per semester at Berkeley to take courses specifically focused on the philosophy of math. 

 

Good luck!

[Nastasya_Filippovna]

SFSU is also worth checking out. Bas van Fraassen runs a terrific logic workshop each semester with variable topics (for instance, logical puzzles that bear on the philosophy of language, or space and time, etc.) You can also enroll in one course per semester at Berkeley to take courses specifically focused on the philosophy of math. 

 

Good luck!

Speaking of analytic-oriented programs, have you (or anybody for that matter) heard much about the PhD program at Wayne State? Theirs is analytic and yet you don't see it listed on any of rankings sites. I was wondering if you knew why that was? Is it because the professors don't publish much? 

[Bobeets]

I urge individuals who are looking into MA programs to consider University of Wyoming. Graduate students are fully funded (around 12,500 a year and this includes health insurance and a tuition waiver). This funding comes with teaching duties. Faculty there are interested in subjects that include ethics, philosophy of science, epistemology (as well as formal epistemology), modern philosophy, ancient philosophy, and German idealism. If you are interested in any of these topics, then this is a good MA program to choose (for a full list of faculty interest, http://www.uwyo.edu/philosophy/faculty/ . For some reason, this program never shows up on the top MA programs, which is odd considering they have placed students in programs such as Rutgers, University of Wisconsin-Madison, UT Austin, and UC Davis (there placement record can be found here:  http://www.uwyo.edu/philosophy/graduate-program/placement.html ).

 

While the following information may be biased because I am about to graduate from there, I can honestly say that I had a wonderful experience in University of Wyoming’s Philosophy MA program. The department was incredibly helpful in securing funding for me for multiple conferences and summer schools. This past year the department even funded a trip to the Pacific APA for everyone in the department.

 

Grad student offices are dispersed between the faculty offices. This office configuration lends itself to lively philosophy discussions between grad students and faculty. The student/teacher ratio is one to one (only six grad students are in the program at a time) and the faculty there are all extremely helpful and attentive. Graduate class size ranges from 3-15 students so there is a lot of individualized attention. There are also reading/research groups (right now it is in non-classic logics) and the department hosts about 3 guest speakers per semester. Also, the University of Wyoming hosts a Stoic Camp in the summer where graduate students can act as a camp counselor and discussion leader.

 

The only down sides about this program that I can think of is that some may not be thrilled about the small college town or Laramie weather (it is cold here). Also, since the department is small, the course offerings each semester are limited. Graduate students (during the first year) do not have the option to choose the classes they take.

 

I hope this information helped at least some who were looking for a quality MA program that offers funding. If you have any questions please feel free to email any of the current University of Wyoming graduate students (or the professors, they will be glad to answer any of your questions).

[ineedwine]

Tufts is a very analytical MA program, which is why I chose not to apply to it. Otherwise I think most MA programs cover all the philosophical bases. I'd suggest looking through faculty and finding out which MA programs have analytical-leaning faculty. 

[psm1580b]

SFSU is also worth checking out. Bas van Fraassen runs a terrific logic workshop each semester with variable topics (for instance, logical puzzles that bear on the philosophy of language, or space and time, etc.) You can also enroll in one course per semester at Berkeley to take courses specifically focused on the philosophy of math. 

 

Good luck!

Rumor has it that BvF will not be returning after his semester off this spring. I was fortunate to be one of his last students.