Applied Philosophy (MA)

Master of Arts in Applied Philosophy

Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (GA)
Department: Philosophy
Academic Plan Code(s): APHIMA, APHIMA HCE, APHIMA PAP, APHIMA_ACC

Program Information

The Master of Arts (MA) in Applied Philosophy offers two options for graduate training in Applied Philosophy.

1. The Concentration in Health Care Ethics is designed for diverse graduate, pre-professional, and professional students to develop their skills as highly engaged citizens, leaders, and scholars. Building on six core bioethics (BETH) courses, the Health Care Ethics track offers students a significant degree of flexibility through electives in other departments and schools to deepen their personal areas of interest and broaden their expertise beyond their core knowledge base. The degree prepares graduates to bring a more educated, nuanced and thoughtful approach to their work in clinical or hospital settings, health law or policy development or academic research and teaching as well as many other overlapping possibilities.

Graduates of this concentration will possess a mastery of 1) ethical theory, 2) the application of theory to practice, and 3) the clinical case studies that guide research, policy, and legal deliberation with respect to our medical and health care practices. Graduates will be trained for positions in ethical leadership and will be "reflexively ethical" in order to establish standards that ramify throughout the organizations into which they are hired.

2. The Concentration in Practical & Applied Philosophy trains graduate, pre-professional, and professional students who have some preparation in Philosophy in the advanced use of philosophical and interdisciplinary methods to enhance their research and their career. Building on a Proseminar and four Applied Philosophy courses, students then pursue electives in their area(s) of greatest interest. Students also complete fieldwork or an internship to complement their studies and put them into practice, as well as an applied research project designed based on their interests.

Graduates of this concentration will have a deep understanding of the issues and methods of applied philosophy, and advanced skills in using critical thinking to improve systems and processes in whatever field they pursue. The degree will prepare them for continued graduate or professional training, and/or for leadership roles in their workplace.

Soaring Scholar Accelerated BA-MA Philosophy Program

Undergraduate students interested in the program's accelerated option should visit the catalog page for the BA Philosophy for more information.

Degree Summary

Admission Requirements

All applicants must submit to the Graduate Admissions Office:

• A graduate application with application fee
• TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores, if an international student
• Two recent letters of recommendation from those familiar with the applicant’s academic work or lifelong learning, which speak to applicant's ability to complete graduate level education. Discursive letters from previous professors preferred.
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Personal statement, which should address why you have decided to pursue a MA in Applied Philosophy. The personal statement should be between 2-4 double spaced pages (500-1000 words).
• Writing sample. The writing sample should be a substantial, polished, persuasive paper that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to do high-level undergraduate research. Writing sample requirements are waived for applicants who have already been accepted into a medical fellowship or PhD program.

Health Care Ethics Track Requirements

Practical and Applied Philosophy Track Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Arts (MA) in Applied Philosophy with a concentration in Health Care Ethics 

Unit(s): Louis D. Brandeis School of Law and College of Arts & Sciences
Louis D. Brandeis School of Law Program Page / College of Arts & Sciences Program Page
Academic Plan Code(s): LAW_JD and APHIMA_HCE

On this page

Program Overview
Admission
Program of Study
Contacts

Program Overview

Admission to the dual degree program requires acceptance into both the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law and the MA in Applied Philosophy program in the College of Arts & Sciences. Students are responsible for tuition charged by each academic unit and are subject to the academic policies of each unit while enrolled in the respective degree programs.

Students must be admitted to the Brandeis School of Law before completing any MA coursework they intend to apply toward the JD degree requirements. Students are strongly encouraged to apply to the MA program before completing 45 hours of JD coursework.

Prospective students should contact the Brandeis School of Law Office of Admissions for additional information. Current JD students interested in the dual degree should consult the Brandeis School of Law Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.

Program of Study

Students must complete all degree requirements specified in the academic catalogs for both the JD and MA in Applied Philosophy with a concentration in Health Care Ethics programs to be awarded the dual degree. Students should contact the Brandeis School of Law Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and the Department of Philosophy for detailed guidance on their individual course plan. The table below outlines a potential program of study for the JD-MA dual degree to graduate in three (3) years. Students may also complete the program in four (4) years, which will not require summer coursework. 

Contacts
To learn more, contact the Department of Philosophy at 502-852-6811 or phil@louisville.edu or the Brandeis School of Law Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at 502-852-6830 or timothy.hall@louisville.edu.