Philosophy PhD with MA in related field

[Izzybop]

Hey all, I am currently in a MA in Political Science doing Political Theory and want to switch back into Philosophy (my BA was in Philosophy). I was wondering if anyone knows if there are any PhD programs that will except an MA in a related field (or at least a good portion of credits? Interests is in German Philosophy (Kant, Hegel, Heidegger).

So far I have found Texas A&M, and University of North Texas. Anyone know of any others?

Also, if I am already considering switching back into Philosophy am I better to just stop the MA I am currently in and reapply now for Philosophy MAs or PhDs? (I am only finishing my first semester in the Political theory MA.)

[maxhgns]

I would think that the switch back is entirely feasible just about everywhere. Finish up the MA, and apply for PhDs.

[Izzybop]

I would think that the switch back is entirely feasible just about everywhere. 

Would any credits transfer since they are not PHIL credits? Or will I be stuck repeating an entire MA?

[maxhgns]

Would any credits transfer since they are not PHIL credits? Or will I be stuck repeating an entire MA?

 

Maybe, maybe not. How many credits can transfer--and which kinds--varies from department to department. Odds are, however, that most won't transfer over. I'd expect to have to take one or two classes less, nothing more.

But the MA that students earn along the way to the PhD isn't at all the same as actually doing a standalone MA. It's a courtesy the program does them once they've completed the requirements to be ABD, nothing more. You won't be 'repeating' the MA by any means. You'll be undertaking to get the requirements for the PhD done. One component is coursework, and you might get a small reduction there. The prospectus, logic and language requirements, candidacy paper, comps., etc. (depending on what your PhD institution's requirements are) are a whole new set of hurdles distinct from those you encountered in your MA. It's not like they'll have you write a second MA thesis or anything.

[Izzybop]

Ok, so does completing the MA improve my chances of getting into a PhD, even in a different field? 

[thatsjustsemantics]

Ok, so does completing the MA improve my chances of getting into a PhD, even in a different field? 

My conjecture is this: it depends; you might have already figured that out, however. According to the admissions FAQs of some schools, adcoms judge MAs differently than BAs. As in, they have a different criteria for determining whether someone with a BA or someone with an MA has potential relative to their competition. Lots of schools admit that MAs do help make an applicant seem more competitive. In your case, however, I'm not sure since it's a different field.

I'm going to guess that it will improve your chances of getting into a PhD program, but only if you're going to do something political philosophy heavy and you can demonstrate how your MA helped you write a kick-ass political philosophy writing sample. Otherwise, probably not.

[maxhgns]

I don't think it would hurt your chances. It might help later on with establishing your job market profile, especially if you switch to another subfield. And the experience would likely help you through the PhD process.

 

Shrug.

[overoverover]

10 hours ago, maxhgns said:

I don't think it would hurt your chances. It might help later on with establishing your job market profile, especially if you switch to another subfield. And the experience would likely help you through the PhD process.

 

Shrug.

Maybe. It depends on whether or not you end up doing anything in that field, right? Like say you do philosophy of mind. Having an MA in Political Theory is useless there. And I don't know if an MA is even necessary for cross-appointments.

Would the experience help through the PhD process? Almost definitely. 

[SamStone]

On October 31, 2015 at 10:41:24 PM, Izzybop said:

Hey all, I am currently in a MA in Political Science doing Political Theory and want to switch back into Philosophy (my BA was in Philosophy). I was wondering if anyone knows if there are any PhD programs that will except an MA in a related field (or at least a good portion of credits? Interests is in German Philosophy (Kant, Hegel, Heidegger).

So far I have found Texas A&M, and University of North Texas. Anyone know of any others?

Also, if I am already considering switching back into Philosophy am I better to just stop the MA I am currently in and reapply now for Philosophy MAs or PhDs? (I am only finishing my first semester in the Political theory MA.)

I would imagine that if you already know you that you are planning to apply to philosophy PhD programs, that you would/should focus on the philosophical aspects of political theory while working on your current MA. Of course, you probably won't be able to do only philosophical work, right? But is it possible where you are at to emphasize getting an excellent grasp of the historical development, transformation of ideas, etc. of the period of philosophy you are interested in...I realize that Kant-Hegel-Heidegger is a huge period of time. But if you are interested in the philosophy between Kant and Hegel, then, for example, could you study Rousseau through the Napoleonic wars and the effect they had the rest of Europe? It seems that if you took a historical approach to you political theory studies, then you would be well prepared to shift back to studying philosophy.

But you also mention the possibility of quitting your political theory MA now, and just apply to philosophy MA and PhD programs...is that because you aren't really sure you care about political theory as much as you had thought, or just because you didn't want to hurt your chances of getting into a philosophy PhD program? If it is the former, does it feel like you will be wasting the next year and a half finishing the degree?

[maxhgns]

1 hour ago, overoverover said:

Maybe. It depends on whether or not you end up doing anything in that field, right? Like say you do philosophy of mind. Having an MA in Political Theory is useless there. And I don't know if an MA is even necessary for cross-appointments.
 

 

On the job market, you don't just need an AOS, you also need AOCs. An MA in a field like political theory is a free pass to a political theory/philosophy AOC, complete with rock-hard evidence of your competence. You don't have to teach or TA some political philosophy classes to get that proof (and experience), or take a bunch of courses: you already did all that for the MA. And, as it happens, the demand for social and political philosophy is currently pretty strong. Whether it stays that way for long is anyone's guess, but there's no harm in having a "free" AOC going into things.

[Izzybop]

9 hours ago, SamStone said:

I would imagine that if you already know you that you are planning to apply to philosophy PhD programs, that you would/should focus on the philosophical aspects of political theory while working on your current MA. Of course, you probably won't be able to do only philosophical work, right?

Actually, the part of me that does want to stay, is due to the fact that this program I am currently in allows me to research any area of my interest. So I am writing my thesis on Egoist Virtue, though I have not completely sorted it out yet. 

9 hours ago, SamStone said:

But you also mention the possibility of quitting your political theory MA now, and just apply to philosophy MA and PhD programs...is that because you aren't really sure you care about political theory as much as you had thought, or just because you didn't want to hurt your chances of getting into a philosophy PhD program? If it is the former, does it feel like you will be wasting the next year and a half finishing the degree?

This is actually due to both to be honest. Political Theory is not Political Philosophy, similar, but not the same. But, I could continue with it. The big issue is the fact that I cannot stand the Political Science aspect. I thought I could manage a sub-field in American Government or Comparative Politics, but it is not at all like I had thought it would be, and I am finding myself disinterested completely. In addition, I had a broader interest in Philosophy than strictly Political Philosophy (such as Ontology and Philosophical Anthropology) which is sorta being suppressed.  

[NathanKellen]

On 11/2/2015, 8:59:44, overoverover said:

And I don't know if an MA is even necessary for cross-appointments.

Direct evidence that it isn't: UConn has two cross-appointments (Suzy Killmister, Daniel Silvermint), neither of which have a degree in the cross-appointment area.

[overoverover]

1 hour ago, NathanKellen said:

Direct evidence that it isn't: UConn has two cross-appointments (Suzy Killmister, Daniel Silvermint), neither of which have a degree in the cross-appointment area.

 

Exactly who I had in mind! 

[ianfaircloud]

On 10/31/2015, 11:41:24, Izzybop said:

Hey all, I am currently in a MA in Political Science doing Political Theory and want to switch back into Philosophy (my BA was in Philosophy). I was wondering if anyone knows if there are any PhD programs that will except an MA in a related field (or at least a good portion of credits? Interests is in German Philosophy (Kant, Hegel, Heidegger).

So far I have found Texas A&M, and University of North Texas. Anyone know of any others?

Also, if I am already considering switching back into Philosophy am I better to just stop the MA I am currently in and reapply now for Philosophy MAs or PhDs? (I am only finishing my first semester in the Political theory MA.)

Every philosophy department will consider applicants who did work in non-philosophy areas. In fact, an MA in political theory could put you in a better position in some cases, particularly if you're thinking about political philosophy and you're applying to a program that's strong in that area.