English ma for philosophy major

[UndergradDad]

Does admission to rhetoric and composition ma programs require an English ba degree?

Would a philosophy ba be accepted by any ma programs for admission for a late changer in areas of interest?

If so, any ideas of programs which are more open to other ba majors?

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

[CulturalCriminal]

It really depends on the program. Some will require you level-in by taking UG classes. Others won’t. 

Making the jump is not a big one though, especially if you’re a big theory person.

[Saynday]

I decided to create an account because I was in a similar situation last year. Back in January 2017, I decided to switch to English and apply for M.A. programs after receiving my bachelor's in philosophy. I ended up applying to five English M.A. programs and have so far received three funded acceptances. In two cases, I was also selected for fellowships and one of the programs even told me I was the adcom's top choice. Admittedly, I pursued literature instead of rhet comp, but it is definitely possible to switch departments from philosophy to English.

I would start by looking at programs that are a strong fit for the kind of research you want to do and then check their requirements. Some programs stipulate you have to have a certain amount of English credits to apply. Unless you minored in English, it is unlikely you will qualify for those. Others want to see undergraduate coursework in "cognate" fields. Based on my experience, many, if not most, English departments consider philosophy to be such a field. 

In a few cases, I also reached out to graduate advisors and I even had my academic history vetted by a few directors of graduate studies . In the end, I found plenty of programs that not only had professors I could work with, but also had no issues with my philosophy degree. 

Trust me when I say they are out there. You just have to find them.

[renea]

In all honesty, most programs will be happy you understand theory at all. If the program is a good fit and you're a good candidate, your major will be a program's last concern. Most programs look at your SOP first, your LOR second, and then your CV or Writing Sample. Your transcript is used mostly to look at your GPA and coursework, but from what I understand is not the first thing they look at. Wow them with a good SOP and LOR and you won't need to worry.

If you are familiar with the area of theory that you are interested in working in (in rhet/comp) then it shouldn't be an issue. I did a double major in philosophy and english in my undergrad, and I would say my theory background was very helpful for my MA. While there are of course huge differences between philosophy and rhet/comp as a field- as an undergrad you're exposed to the broader concepts and there's a lot of overlap between the disciplines. 

Most MA programs are open to people coming from different backgrounds- so long as you can demonstrate that you understand the field and fit their program. Your biggest concern will be making sure you apply to a rhet/comp program and not a lit program. Many lit programs will require subject tests or expect you to have taken lit classes. Many Rhet/comp programs don't have those same expectations because rhet/comp undergraduate programs are not very common. If you are concerned when selecting a school, reaching out to the director of the graduate program about your concerns will be surest way of knowing whether they expect applicants to come from an English program.

My biggest suggestion would be using your SOP to explain why Rhet/comp is your chosen field, and to use a rhet/comp paper for your writing sample. If you are not incredibly familiar with rhet/comp papers- then I would suggest reading some rhet/comp papers- depending on your research area we have plenty of journals that would be available through your university- and lots that are even open access. 

Also, feel free to reach out. I'd be happy to answer any questions, and we have a rhet/comp thread going on the forum- there are several rhet/comp ppl on the boards and most are happy to help answer questions. 

 

 

[ModernMimetic]

To tag briefly onto the solid advice above: as an undergrad, I double majored in English and philosophy. I found it to be a powerful interdisciplinary cocktail, and I completed my BA feeling prepared for graduate studies in either field. I should clarify, though, that I was on the literature end as opposed to rhet/comp. On that front, I can only speak anecdotally.

Speaking to graduate students in both departments, it was quite common to hear that they transferred across these disciplines between their undergrad and grad programs. This is especially the case for students in the MA programs. It really does come down to clarifying how your studies in philosophy tighten your grasp on the theoretical underpinnings officiating dialogues in literary-critical research. This is not a particularly hard shift to justify in a SOP. I would consider finding an English professor (at best, two English professors) willing to contribute letters, if at all possible. If you composed philosophy-heavy papers in any English classes, even better! Those professors may be able to attest to your strength in both fields.

I am continuing into an English PhD program after my BA, and used two letters from English professors, and one from the chair of the Philosophy Department. Adcoms want to get a snapshot of your unique approach to academic work, and an interdisciplinary background is nothing to be too concerned about...in many cases, it just might make you a memorable candidate. The only caveat is this: if your undergraduate philosophy curriculum fell heavily on the side of analytic or continental philosophy, the way you connect your background in philosophy to your continuing studies in English may vary.

I, too, would be willing to talk to you about my own experiences. I also encourage having a pass over the rhet/comp thread, if you have not done so already. Best luck moving forward! It is an exciting time.  

 

 

[UndergradDad]

Great posts I appreciate your responses. I have already read the rhetoric thread which was helpful. My best to you in your academic endeavors.