Graduate Advisor: Prof. Cory D. Wright
Program Description
The CSU Long Beach Philosophy Department offers a program of study leading to the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in philosophy. Our graduate program offers rigorous philosophical training in a supportive environment. The Department's M.A. program is ideal for those who are uncertain if they want to pursue doctoral studies, as well as those who seek only a terminal M.A. The program is also well-suited for students who were not undergraduate philosophy majors and therefore need additional preparation or credentials before pursuing work at the doctoral level.
Graduates of the program are trained to pursue doctoral degrees in top-ranked philosophy programs and/or teach in community colleges. Our graduates have entered doctoral programs in philosophy at University of Alberta, Boston College, Boston University, Claremont, Emory, Johns Hopkins, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, University of Ottawa, USC, Washington - St. Louis, and University of Western Ontario.
With an enrollment of over 35,000 students, CSU Long Beach is one of the largest campuses in the CSU system. It is routinely ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top public master’s universities in the West. CSU Long Beach was also recently ranked among the top three best value public colleges in the nation by the Princeton Review.
Entrance Requirements
Entering M.A. students ought to have either:
Most admitted students have GPA's that are higher than 3.0, but exceptions can be made in unusual circumstances.
In unusual circumstances, the department will provisionally admit students who do not meet these conditions. Student's admission and continuation in the graduate program is contingent upon satisfactorily meeting the conditions specified by the graduate advisor.
Application Procedure
Applicants must apply in two places: the university and the philosophy department. Applicants who have already been admitted to the University but are changing their objective to the M.A. in Philosophy should file a change of objective form available in the Philosophy Department.
Applications for admission must be completed by the following deadlines:
| Applying For ... | Deadline | Notification of Decisions Will Begin |
| Spring 2010 | Due to University budget cuts, there will be no Spring 2010 Admissions | n/a |
| Fall 2010 | February 2nd (02/02/2010) | March 5th (03/05/2010) |
First, apply to the university. For the application, click here.
These are the admission requirements of the university:
Note: the University encourages applying students to consult the CSU Mentor Page for Online Applications.
Second, apply directly to the Philosophy Department. Submit to us:
The statement of purpose should be no more than 2 double-spaced pages. Tell us why you want to study philosophy in graduate school, and what in particular you want to study.
The writing sample should be between 5 and 15 pages. Preferably, it should be in philosophy. However, the department wants to see the work that best represents your writing and research skills.
The Department does not require the GRE for admission, but applicants may submit their scores at their discretion.
Send these materials to Dr. Cory D. Wright at the address below:
Dr. Cory D. Wright, Graduate Advisor
Philosophy Department
California State University Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90840-2408
Funding Opportunities
Philosophy Graduate Assistantships
In Spring 1997, the Department began a new "teacher-in-training" program for graduate student assistants leading discussion groups and assisting with grading in lower-division courses. The Department typically employs 3-6 Graduate Assistants each semester. Students should ordinarily expect appointment in their second year of graduate studies. Students are paid approximately $2400 per semester for 10 hours/week or $4800 per semester for 20 hrs/week. Students interested in this program are urged to gain experience working with students through employment at the Learning Assistance Center or participation in the Department's Philosophy in the Schools Program.
Departmental reader positions are sometimes available for qualified persons. A reader works closely with a member of the faculty, but is not responsible for instruction.
The Department will begin accepting applications for Graduate Assistantships and Student Assistantships for 2010-2011 in April 2010. Please check this web site for the announcement and application deadline.
Application for these positions can be made to the Chair of the Philosophy Department.
CSULB Graduate Assistantships
Many campus departments without MA programs are eager to hire Philosophy MA students to assist with grading and writing tutorials. Additional employment is typically available for graduate students as tutors at the Learning Assistance Center, as graders for other departments in the humanities, and as graduate assistants for the Honors Program and Supplemental Instruction program. The Department can assist graduate students in obtaining those appointments. Graduate students may work up to a total of 20 hrs/week in all campus employment combined. The Graduate Advisor can provide more information about these and other campus employment possibilities.
Note: For additional information, please consult the University's financial aid page.
Basic Qualifying Exam:
Graduate Student Handbook:
Thesis and Comprehensive Exams:
Forms:
Employment / Funding at CSU Long Beach
Policies:
General Resources:
