The M.A. degree requires 40 units of coursework, which usually can be completed comfortably in two years of study. Students may choose a concentration in:

• History of ancient philosophy
• History of modern philosophy
• Contemporary philosophy

All three concentrations require one course each in the following fields: ancient philosophy, modern philosophy, ethics or value theory, logic, and one graduate humanities course not in philosophy.

The concentration in ancient philosophy requires, in addition, an advanced seminar in ancient philosophy and reading competence in ancient Greek. (The program offers courses in ancient Greek to help students meet this competence requirement.) The concentration in modern philosophy requires an advanced seminar in modern philosophy and reading competence in French, German, or Latin. The concentration in contemporary philosophy requires an advanced seminar in contemporary philosophy, and reading competence in one approved foreign language.