Starting with an MA

[jfalteryo]

Hello,

I'm new. So, here's my predicament. I didn't study philosophy in college. My degree is in humanities, with a focus in the classics and heavy coursework in religion. However, since graduating, philosophy has consumed more and more of my time and efforts. Now, I'd like to study it at the graduate level and become a professor.

I know that graduates from top programs are the most likely to get hired, but I feel like I need to develop my coursework before I can expect to be admitted to a strong, employable program. My question is: would it be wise to complete an MA at a lesser-known state school to develop my resume before moving on to a good doctoral program? Is such a thing even possible?

Forgive my ignorance, I'm very new to this process. Any advice would be cherished.

[jfalteryo]

I ought to add that my focus is existentialism and continental thought.

[tsm]

Yes, you should get an MA if your undergradcwas in something else. If you want, you can just apply for MA and PhD programs and decide after you hear back. Though you won't be competitive at well ranked programs unless you have an amazing writing sample or something to demonstrate that you know as much as someone who did do a philosophy undergrad degree

[jfalteryo]

So it is possible to apply to PhD program with a masters at a different university? I read a few school's websites, and I was under the impression that most PhD programs include a masters degree as part of their curriculum.

[tsm]

Some places award those when you finish your coursework and language requirements, or at some other point the way the the PhD. You'll just have a second masters degree, that's all.