M.A. in Philosophy with a Concentration in Environmental Ethics

Admission Requirements

Application for admission to the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies is made through the graduate school. At the same time, a letter of intent should be sent directly to the Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies. This letter should briefly summarize the applicant's background, specific interests in the field of environmental ethics, and future career plans. One or more letters of recommendation and a writing sample are strongly encouraged. (Two letters are required if the student wishes to be considered for graduate support.)

Applicants normally should have the equivalent of an undergraduate major in philosophy at this institution. Deficiencies will be evaluated on an individual basis.

For the M.A. in philosophy, the minimum score for philosophy on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is the median score for verbal and quantitative minus the standard deviation for each. The verbal minimum score is 478 (582 - 104) and the quantitative minimum score is 483 (599 - 116). An analytic minimum score of 517 (630 - 113) may be substituted for one of the other scores if available (this test is no longer part of the GRE). The verbal score may also be replaced by completion of the Graduate Preparation Course (GPC). The GMAT or the LSAT may be substituted for the GRE. A minimum score of 450 is required for the GMAT. Computer-based GRE testing (link to: http://www.unt.edu/cat/testing/index.htm) is available at the University of North Texas.

For an M.S. or M.A. in interdisciplinary studies, applicants are required to present satisfactory standardized scores (e.g., GRE, GMAT) or other admissions materials (e.g., portfolio), as determined by a combination of the participating degree programs. Numerical standards for admission are based on the higher of the following two: (a) the highest among area-specific standardized requirements at UNT, or (b) on the highest mean score on relevant standardized tests for applicants to these areas nationally. Non-quantified admissions materials (e.g., portfolio) must be evaluated directly by the relevant participating program, with standards no less stringent than employed for admission by these programs.

Degree Options

Two options exist for completing the Master of Arts with a major in philosophy and a concentration in environmental ethics: thesis and non-thesis.

For the thesis option, the student takes 24 semester credit hours of approved course work and a thesis carrying 6 hours of credit (PHIL 5950). The student will normally take a minimum of six courses in philosophy. Six semester credit hours may be elected by the student in supporting fields with the consent of the department. An oral examination is scheduled after the completion of the thesis.

The nonthesis option consists of 36 semester credit hours. The student will normally take a minimum of six courses in philosophy. A 9-semester-credit-hour minor in a supporting field is required. Nine additional semester hours may be elected by the student in philosophy or in one or more supporting fields. The examiners at the oral examination will include a faculty member representing the minor field and, at the option of the department, one or more representatives of other supporting fields.

Students pursuing either option are expected to complete PHIL 5450, PHIL 5451, and PHIL 5700.

Foreign Language Requirement

Knowledge of at least one foreign language acceptable to the department in which the student is majoring is required for the Master of Arts degree. The language will normally be French or German, unless another language is specifically required for the student's research for the thesis.

The foreign language requirement may be satisfied in any one of the following ways:

1. by passing the Foreign Language Proficiency Examination administered each semester and summer term by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, application for which must be obtained in the office of the chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures (students normally prepare for the examination by taking appropriate courses in the department);

or

2. by submitting a transcript of undergraduate credit showing completion of the sophomore year in a single foreign language, provided the grade on the last course completed is C or higher.

Candidates for graduate degrees to be awarded at the close of any summer session must have satisfied the foreign language requirements for the degree sought prior to the first class day of the second term of the session. Candidates for graduation at the close of the spring or fall semester must have satisfied the foreign language requirements prior to the last day for filing thesis or dissertation in the office of the graduate dean. Consult the Academic Calendar for the proper deadline.

Note: There is no language requirement for the Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies.