Philosophical Studies, MAPS

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Dean: Dr. Peter Dorsey
Director of MAPS program: Dr. Christopher Anadale
16300 Old Emmitsburg Road
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
Phone: 301-447-5368

Degree Completion Requirements

To receive the MAPS degree, candidates must show proficiency in philosophical logic, complete 31 credits of MAPS coursework with a GPA of at least 3.0, and pass both a Preliminary Paper and a Qualifying Paper. Candidates must complete all degree requirements within three years of completing course work, or within five years of matriculation, whichever comes first. The program director may grant extensions in extraordinary circumstances.

Logic Proficiency

Candidates must show proficiency in philosophical logic. They may do so by earning a grade of C or higher in PHIL 201 or PHIL 202 or their equivalent, or passing a logic proficiency exam. The logic course does not count toward the required MAPS credit hours. The program director may waive this requirement for candidates who have earned a grade of C or higher in a substantially similar logic course at another institution.

Coursework

Candidates complete 31 credits of course work, including one credit for the Qualifying Paper. Courses should be distributed across historical periods and themes. A typical curriculum will include:

Notes

* Non-seminary candidates may substitute other MAP electives for MAP 505 and MAP 506 .

Candidates must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in MAPS course work. Falling below that level will trigger probation and withdrawal from the program.

Preliminary Paper

During the second semester enrolled in the program, candidates write a Preliminary Paper of ten to fifteen pages. This paper is written as part of course work, typically MAP 501 - Moral Philosophy . After being graded, the paper is evaluated on a MAPS graduate writing rubric. Candidates must complete the Preliminary Paper with acceptable rubric marks before submitting a Qualifying Paper proposal.

Qualifying Paper

The Qualifying Paper is a research paper of twenty to thirty pages. Candidates usually develop a proposal during the final semester of course work, and write the paper during the year following completion of course work. Each candidate will work with a MAPS faculty advisor and two faculty readers. Candidates must enroll in the one credit pass-fail course MAP 599 during the semester in which they plan to submit the Qualifying Paper.

Program Information

Overview

The Master of Arts in Philosophical Studies (MAPS) is a graduate degree program of Mount St. Mary’s College of Liberal Arts. It provides an opportunity for advanced study of philosophy, emphasizing both the history of philosophy and major topical areas, with attention to how these inform and are informed by the Catholic intellectual tradition.

The Mount St. Mary’s philosophy faculty share a common vision of the compatibility of faith and reason and the integrity of philosophy as a truth-seeking discipline distinct from theology.

The MAPS program is designed to be compatible with the philosophical education included in the two-year pre-theology program of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, but the program is not limited to seminary students. Any prospective student who meets the eligibility requirements may apply.

Program Objectives

Students who complete the MAPS program will:

Demonstrate knowledge of key philosophical concepts, theories, and schools
Apply philosophical concepts and theories to contemporary situations
Articulate an understanding of the relation between faith and reason in the Catholic philosophical tradition
Present an effective and sustained written argument for a philosophically significant thesis
Demonstrate intellectual humility in approaching contested issues
Integrate philosophical knowledge and skills with intellectual and spiritual formation

MAPS Admission Requirements

Applicants to the MAPS program must:

Possess a Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited college or university.
Give evidence of academic ability, normally an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Seminary students, in addition to the above criteria, must have the written permission of the seminary academic dean.

MAPS Tuition (2017-18 Academic Year)

MAPS $500 per credit

Application Process

Application forms are available from, and should be returned to, the program director. The application deadline for non-seminarians to begin classes in the Fall is August 1; in the Spring, December 1.

Transfer of Graduate Credits

Up to six credits may be accepted in transfer toward this degree, at the program director’s discretion. The program director will consider for transfer only those credits taken at the graduate level, or taken in excess of bachelor’s degree requirements. Non-academic courses (seminars, workshops, symposia) are not acceptable for transfer credit. Students must have earned a grade of at least B in each transferred course. Grades earned in transferred courses are not calculated in the student’s grade point average. Transfer courses must be compatible with the graduate program curriculum. Students interested in transferring credits should speak to the program director.