Master of Arts (M.A.) in Philosophy

Fides Quaerens Intellectum

Faith seeking Understanding

  • AMU’s M.A. program in philosophy is normally completed in two academic years.
  • Undergraduate students at AMU can obtain both their bachelor’s and master’s in philosophy over just five years through our 4+1 program.
  • M.A. graduates from AMU have excellent placement rates in doctoral programs and educational institutions, business and legal settings, and diocesan and administrative leadership.
  • Small class sizes offer increased one-on-one mentorship and support from professors.
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Our Mission

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Philosophy at Ave Maria University offers a focused program of study in the Catholic philosophical tradition, specializing in core areas of natural philosophy, metaphysics, and moral philosophy according to the systematic thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. The pursuit of Catholic philosophical wisdom at the graduate level is defined by the intellectual spirit articulated by St. Anselm of Canterbury: “faith seeking understanding.” Inspired by seminal papal encyclicals on the role of philosophy in Catholic education – including Pope Leo XIII’s Aeterni Patris, Pope Pius XI’s Studiorum ducem, Pope John Paul II’s Fides et ratio – and aligned with Vatican II’s declaration Gravissimum educationis, the M.A. in Philosophy contributes to the revitalization of Thomistic thought as fundamental to a sound and rigorous philosophical formation. Students will engage broadly with the history of philosophy from ancient times to the modern and contemporary era, and they will learn to use tools of logical analysis and dialectical method to critically examine arguments of significance, both old and new, as ultimately oriented to the pursuit of truth.

AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY'S M.A. Phil Program

Student Learning Goal and Outcomes

  • Graduates of the M.A. Program will be well formed in the philosophical tradition of the Catholic Church, practice the habit of philosophical analysis, and possess a unified vision of philosophical wisdom according to the Thomistic tradition. Upon graduation, they will be accepted into doctoral programs for philosophy or other graduate programs suited to their professional goals, and/or find employment in institutions supportive of the skills and formation attained through the Philosophy M.A. Program. The analytical skills emphasized in the study and practice of philosophy are particularly valuable for fields such as law, business, and education.
  • Students will demonstrate a clear understanding of the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas in the areas of natural philosophy, moral philosophy, and metaphysics. The Philosophy MA Program at AMU emphasizes philosophical discourse in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Students will complete their MA with a Master’s Thesis that exemplifies their understanding of this tradition and practice of philosophical reasoning and writing.
  • Students will demonstrate a clear understanding of the principles of reality, using as primary tools the interdependence of faith and reason in gaining an advanced systematic education in philosophical wisdom. These tools of critical thinking and analysis integrated with fidelity to the Church’s magisterial teachings together forge a unique program of Catholic philosophical study in our present secular age. As part of this program’s recovery of the unity of truth from modern distortion, students will gain a comprehensive knowledge of the history of philosophy beyond Thomistic and Catholic philosophical thought, from ancient to contemporary approaches.
  • Ave Maria University offers a generous intellectual culture and graduate student community, including engagement with interdisciplinary graduate-level resources, with unparalleled pastoral care and spiritual guidance available to all members of the University community.
  • Through their program of studies, students will cultivate the habit of philosophical analysis and exemplify a unified vision of philosophical wisdom, enabling subtle discernment of different philosophical approaches to truth and wisdom.

Required Courses

  • PHIL 501: METAPHYSICS
  • PHIL 502: NATURE AND KNOWLEDGE
  • PHIL 503: MORALITY AND ACTION
  • PHIL 504: ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY
  • PHIL 505: MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY
  • PHIL 506: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHY
  • PHIL 511: SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY
  • PHIL 599: M.A. THESIS
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Testimonials from undergraduate philosophy students

"The Ave Maria Philosophy program instilled in me a profound sense of wonder born from deep understanding. Its stellar professors taught me not only in the facts of philosophy but also guided me on the path to being a philosopher, a lover of wisdom who lives in the pursuit of the Truth." Raquel Althoff ‘22‍

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“I benefit daily from the intellectual skills and spiritual formation I received from Ave Maria University in my vocation as a wife and mother. I will be forever grateful for my time at AMU.” Analise Jenkins ‘22

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the M.A. in Philosophy program must meet the following admissions requirements:

  1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
  2. Admission is competitive, and successful applicants typically will indicate their capability to perform graduate coursework based on either:
    • Success in undergraduate courses, especially in writing-intensive humanities courses; OR
    • A GRE Verbal Reasoning score of 150 or higher and a 4.0 or higher on the Analytic Writing Assessment; OR
    • A post-graduate degree in another discipline;
  3. Completed online application.
  4. Current resume, including teaching experience if applicable.
  5. Two confidential letters of recommendation, submitted directly by an academic advisor or professor.
  6. Statement of Intent (500 words): brief intellectual and professional biography, which includes a statement about his/her motivation for pursuing the M.A. in Philosophy.
  7. An academic writing sample of a philosophical nature (minimum 1500 words).

*For any questions, please contact the Graduate Philosophy Department at GraduatePhilosophy@avemaria.edu.

Meet the Faculty

Janice Chik Breidenbach, Ph.D.

Chair of the Philosophy Department; Director of Graduate Philosophy Program; Associate Professor of Philosophy

Gerald Boersma, Ph.D.

Chair of the Theology Department; Professor of Theology; Director of Graduate Programs in Theology

Michael Dauphinais, Ph.D.

Fr. Matthew L. Lamb Professor of Catholic Theology; Professor of Theology; Director of Catholic Studies Program

Joseph Trabbic, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Philosophy

Maria Fedoryka, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Philosophy

Barry David, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Philosophy

Fr. Romanus Cessario, S.T.D.

Adam Cardinal Maida Professor of Theology

Steven Long, Ph.D.

Professor of Theology

5050 Ave Maria Blvd., Ave Maria, FL 34142

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admissions@avemaria.edu
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