lilysoul

Is it a bad idea to take MAPH if someone with no work experiences is planning to go to work, instead of doing PhD afterwards?

Hi all, We all know that the teaching positions for philosophy PhD graduates are extremely competitive, so it seems important to find something else you can make a living besides teaching philosophy, or just give up in the middle of the way. For example, it is possible that after finishing a two-year MA in philosophy, you find yourself cannot make the commitment of studying for 6 more years in philosophy. And it is important to know what you can do if you do not pursue a PhD after the MA. I'm wondering if anyone can comment on what kind of jobs philosophy MA graduates can do, other than doing a PhD. Will they be welcomed by employers? Or do you think it is simply a bad idea to do an MA in philosophy, if you know in the first place you may not (but also may) do a PhD afterwards?

When I applied for the MA and PhD programs in philosophy last winter, I was determined to pursue a PhD in philosophy. However, my mind has changed and now I become not so sure about doing PhD. I'm now swaying between the thought of doing PhD and going to work. As PhD really needs to take a lot of years, it is very difficult for me to make the decision. But I agree with you that it is important to consider what to do with an MA in philosophy.

Another Sisyphus, Thank you very much for the information!

s33, Thank you very much for your reply! I'm sure that U Chicago must have a great academic culture. Just out of curiosity, I'm wondering if you also know some MAPHers who decide not to pursue PhD? Will it be a wrong decision to study MAPH, if someone wants to work in areas outside the academia? Another question is, since MAPH is only one year, is it possible to apply for the PhD programs before finishing MAPH? Or, is it that MAPHers usually take a gap year afterwards?

Does anyone what is the acceptance rate of MAPH?

Turns out that all the current MAPH students (around four) I asked said they had great experiences, but nearly all things said about MAPH in this gradcafe forum are negative.

Got accepted by MAPH too and unfunded. Also got accepted by Tufts' philosophy terminal MA program, with 60 % tuition remission. However, considering that the living expenses in Boston is higher than in Chicago, and Tufts requires two years, it seems that Tufts probably is not a lot cheaper than MAPH.... By the way, is anyone who is going to take MAPH considering career options other than PhD? Can you get a good job after MAPH?

I got waitlisted. Does anyone know how many people are in the waitlist?

Hi Everyone, I am a philosophy major student, and recently got acceptance letter from Chicago's MAPH program and Tufts' MA in philosophy. I'm wondering if anyone could give me advice on which one to choose. MAPH's tuition fee is really high, and there is no scholarship. Tufts' is less expensive, and offers some scholarship. In general, I value quality of the program and school's reputation, but I also want to pay as little as possible. I am not sure whether I want to pursue a PhD after MA. I'm trying to keep a balance among the three factors. Also, I'm an International student, so I think it will be harder for me to get funding. Which one should I choose? Thanks!