Requirements for the M.A. are as follows: 10 courses (30 credits); proficiency
in one foreign language; and a one hour oral comprehensive examination on a reading
list in the history of philosophy. The M.A. may be taken on a full time basis
or on a part time basis. Financial aid and tuition remission are not normally
available for students seeking an M.A.
Course Work The department offers courses intended exclusively for graduate
students (700-800-900 levels) as well as courses intended both for undergraduate
and graduate students (500-699 levels). Both sorts of courses may be applied
to the fulfillment of the requirement of 10 courses (30 credits). With department
approval, students may also take appropriate graduate level courses in other
departments of Boston College and by consortial arrangement in other schools
and universities (cf. Cross Registration, under Procedures and Regulations).
Students may apply for transfer credit for two (2) graduate courses taken prior
to entrance to the program and not applied to another degree program, subject
to department approval and the regulations of the Graduate School of Arts and
Sciences (cf. Transfer of Credit).
Grading In each graduate course, in which a student is registered for
graduate credit, the student will receive one of the following grades at the
end of the semester: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C, F, W, J, or I. The high passing grade
of A is awarded for superior work. The passing grade of B is awarded for work
that clearly is satisfactory at the graduate level. The low passing grade of
C is awarded for work that is minimally acceptable at the graduate level. The
failing grade of F is awarded for work that is unsatisfactory.
Language Proficiency The M.A. student must demonstrate proficiency in
a foreign language, Latin, Greek, French, or German. Proficiency may be demonstrated
by receiving a grade of "B" or better in two semesters of the language
at the elementary college level or one semester at the intermediate college
level, in the 12-week summer language class for graduate students at Boston
College, or by passing the department's own language examination. For further
information on the language exam, please consult Prof. Peter Kreeft.
Thesis A student may write an M.A. thesis in place of two courses (6
credits). It is the responsibility of the student to prepare a thesis proposal
and to secure a thesis supervisor and second reader.
M.A. Comprehensive Examination The M.A. candidate is required to take
a one-hour oral exam before a board of three or four professors. The examination
covers selected texts from the history of philosophy (cf. the M.A. Comprehensive
Reading List). This examination is regularly administered in the week after
the University Commencement. For good reasons a student may apply to take the
examination at another time. Students sign up for the examination by completing
the Master’s Comprehensive Examination Selection Sheet and submitting it
to RoseMarie DeLeo (if you entered the M.A. program before F 2007, click here
for the previous version.) A failed examination may be retaken once and once
only.
Time Limit The M.A. candidate is permitted five consecutive years from
the date of acceptance into the program for completion of all requirements for
the Master’s degree. Extensions are permitted only with the approval of
the department and of the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
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