Oct 06, 2024  
Graduate Catalog | 2024-2025 
    
Graduate Catalog | 2024-2025

Ethics and Applied Philosophy, M.A.


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The M.A. in Ethics and Applied Philosophy degree program is designed to foster the application of ethical and philosophical knowledge to currently pressing concerns in social, economic,  medical, technological, legal, commercial, cultural, and political contexts and associations. The department offers both theoretical and applied courses. These courses provide students with a comprehensive, normative, politically-informed and logically consistent training relevant to current challenges encountered in business, data science, medicine, education, and policy-making. The Concentration in Research and Data Ethics includes the typical requirements for the MA Degree, with the addition of required and recommended courses designed to give students particular expertise in ethical issues arising in research and data science.

Admission Requirements


In addition to meeting the University’s graduate admission requirements, all prospective students must submit:

  • A personal statement outlining why the applicant seeks admission to the program
  • A philosophical writing sample, preferably addressing an ethical or other philosophical issue, uploaded within the online application system
  • Three academic letters of recommendation (to be uploaded by the Recommenders), attached to the recommendation forms required by the Graduate School, which address the student’s philosophical skills and/or ethical reasoning ability

Note: GRE scores are not required.

Early Entry Program

Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may apply for the Early Entry Program and begin work toward the graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree.  See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements.  Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies  section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Early Entry Programs.

Degree Requirements


The Master of Arts in Ethics and Applied Philosophy requires the completion, with a GPA of 3.0 or above, of a minimum of 30 credit hours of approved graduate coursework.  The successful completion of the Master’s Research Paper course is also required for the Master of Arts.  Prior to starting a Master’s Research Paper course, students in the M.A. program must apply for readmission if they have not taken any courses for two years.  All degree requirements must be completed within seven calendar years of first enrollment in the program.

Up to 6 credit hours earned from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body may be eligible for transfer credit.  Formal approval must be obtained from the Graduate Program Director and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Most elective courses are Topics courses.  Visit the program website for details about recent offerings. 

Capstone Course (3 credit hours)


This course is offered annually and may be repeated for credit with new material.

Research and Data Ethics Concentration


The Concentration in Research and Data Ethics is designed to help prepare students for work in areas such as human and animal subject protection, ethics and compliance, conflicts of interest, and ethical controversies related to AI algorithms and data analytics.

In addition to the required core courses, the Concentration requires Research Ethics in the Biological and Behavioral Science (PHIL 6240) and Data Ethics (PHIL 5220).  The remaining 5 courses are electives, but we strongly recommend the following electives:

Degree Total = 30 Credit Hours


Advising


The Graduate Program Director serves as formal advisor to graduate students.

Transfer Credit


Up to 6 credit hours earned from other accredited institutions may be eligible for transfer credit.  Formal approval must be obtained from the Graduate Program Director and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Language Requirement


Although students are not required to demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language as a formal requirement of the program, they are expected to acquire competency in and use whatever languages they need to pursue their research interests.

Application for Degree


Graduation information, including deadlines for candidacy and degree application, are available online from the Graduate School at graduateschool.uncc.edu/current-students/graduation-clearance.

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