Graduate Advisor: Prof. Charles Wallis

Entrance Requirements
1. A Bachelor's degree with a major in philosophy; or

2. A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 24 units of upper division philosophy courses. These courses must be comparable to those required for the B.A. in philosophy at this University. (Deficiencies will be determined by the Graduate Advisor after consultation with the student and after study of transcript records.)

Most admitted students have GPA's that are higher than 3.0, but exceptions can be made in unusual circumstances.

The department will in unusual circumstances admit students provisionally 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.

Applicants must apply in two places: the university and the philosophy department. First, apply to the university. For the application, click here. Then apply directly to the philosophy department. Submit to us:

1. A copy of your university application.
2. Your original transcript (s)
3. Two letters of recommendation. 
4. A statement of purpose.               
5. A writing sample.

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 best reflecting 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. Charles Wallis at the address above.

Last day to apply for admission:

Spring 2008
November 15, 2007

Fall 2008
June 1, 2008

Requirements for the M.A.
1. The student's graduate program must consist of not less than 30 units of acceptable upper division and graduate courses, of which at least 24 units must be in philosophy. The remaining 6 units must be chosen in conference with the student's faculty advisor, and may be taken either in philosophy or in another field of study closely related to the candidate's educational objectives. The program must include a minimum of 18 units of graduate courses, with a minimum of 6 units from the 600 series. PHIL 697 and 698 may not count toward fulfillment of the 600 series minimum requirement.

2. A thesis and oral defense thereof, or a set of three comprehensive examinations.

The student's graduate program must be approved by the Graduate Advisor.

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Advancement to Candidacy
At least one semester before graduation, students must advance to candidacy. To do this, certain requirements must be met.

1. The student must demonstrate proficiency in the areas of epistemology, metaphysics, ethics and symbolic logic. (A grade of "B" in a semester course in each of these areas is a standard way of demonstrating proficiency.)

2. The student must pass the Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE), which is administered by the university, and the Basic Qualifying Examination (BQE), which is administered by the philosophy department. Normally, the student will complete these examinations early in graduate study.

3. Under the supervision of a faculty advisor, the student must write and submit to the faculty a thesis or comprehensive examination proposal.

4. Although there is no formal language requirement, the philosophy department may require the student to demonstrate a foreign language proficiency, if a language proficiency is appropriate to the area of study.

In the semester the student advances, he or she must be enrolled. Several months before graduation, the student must apply for graduation to CSULB.>

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Basic Qualifying Exam (BQE)
The BQE comprises two sections that assess the graduate student's philosophical foundation and knowledge. There is a Classic Text portion and an Analytic portion.

Most students should plan to take the BQE early in their graduate education. Students must take the BQE no later than the second semester, but many should consider taking it in the first semester.

Fall 2008:  Orientation: MHB 915 10/3/2008 at 6pm

Analytic Test
Saturday November 22nd 1-4pm
Location: MHB 915

Text Test
Sunday November 23rd 1-4pm
Location: MHB 915
Text: Knowledge and Lotteries by John Hawthorne

Spring 2009:  Orientation: MHB 915 2/16/2009 at 6pm

Analytic Test
Saturday April 19th 1-4pm
Location: MHB 915

Text Test
Sunday, April 19th 1-4pm
Location: MHB 915
Text: The Concept of Mind by Gilbert Ryle

Normally, students must pass both parts of the BQE on their second attempt.  Students who fail one or both parts twice may be asked to leave the program.

if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Charles Wallis at cwallis@csulb.edu

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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 2006-2007 in April 2006. 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.

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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.

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