MA Philosophy
About the Program
100% Online & Flexible
The GCAS MA in Philosophy is 100% online and designed for maximum flexibility. Courses are held on weekends, making it possible to pursue advanced philosophical research while balancing work, family, and global commitments. Study from anywhere in the world while engaging in rigorous, live seminars with leading scholars and an international intellectual community.
Rigorous & Research-Driven
The GCAS MA in Philosophy is rigorous and research-driven, designed for students committed to serious, original philosophical inquiry. Courses emphasize close reading, conceptual precision, and sustained argumentation, while individualized mentorship supports the development of independent research projects that meet the highest international academic standards.
Debt-Free Education
The GCAS MA in Philosophy is fully accredited and debt-free, grounding academic freedom in material reality. By removing financial pressure, students are free to think critically, take intellectual risks, and pursue original research without compromise. The program combines rigorous philosophical training, close mentorship, and interdisciplinary inquiry within an independent, globally recognized academic framework.
Global Community
GCAS brings together students and faculty from across continents in a shared intellectual space. The program fosters sustained dialogue across cultures, disciplines, and traditions, creating a vibrant global community committed to serious scholarship, mutual support, and philosophy as a living, collective practice beyond borders.
A Word From The Director
"Philosophy ceases to be philosophy when the act of thinking is subordinated to the oppressive weight of student debt. When survival, repayment, and market anxiety govern the classroom, thought itself is compromised. True philosophical inquiry requires material freedom—the space to question, doubt, and think critically without fear."
Curriculum
Program Overview
| Duration | 1 year |
| Credits | 90 ECTS |
| Format | 100% online |
| Tuition | €6,000* |
| Prerequisites | Bachelor's degree |
*Before scholarship reductions. Applications are open — start studying today.
Program Structure
The MA in Philosophy comprises two parts:
Part I: Coursework (30 ECTS)
Complete 10 seminars (3 ECTS each). Each course meets four times for discussion. Students write weekly reflections, deliver a 10-minute presentation, and submit a 1,500-word research paper.
Part II: Thesis & Examination (60 ECTS)
Write and defend a 20,000-word MA thesis before a committee. Complete the Master's Comprehensive Examination — a four-hour written exam on a topic related to your research. Students meet with their academic supervisor monthly to ensure progress.
Format & Flexibility
All courses are delivered online. We also offer occasional residential intensives in cities like Paris, Berlin, Belfast, and Florence — these are optional and available online as well.
Peer study groups are available but not required.
Specialization
GCAS offers a specialization in Artificial Intelligence and Philosophy.
MA Philosophy Courses
Academic Year 2025–2026
| Course | Instructor |
|---|---|
| Critical Paradigms: The Void | Katherine Everitt, PhD |
| Philosophical Theology | Creston Davis, PhD |
| The Genealogy of Ideas: A Philosopher's Journey | Michael Sudduth, D.Phil |
| Philosophy and Psychedelics | Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes, PhD |
| Object Oriented Ontology | James Madden, PhD |
| Philosophy, AI, and Psychoanalysis | Isabel Millar, PhD |
| Philosophical Figures: Nāgārjuna and Buddhist Dialectics | Mario D'Amato, PhD |
| Artificial Intelligence | Maxim Miroshnichenko, PhD |
| The End of the World | Franco "Bifo" Berardi |
| Art and Philosophy | Francisco Gonzalez Castro, PhD |
| Energy and Change | Clayton Crockett, PhD |
| Philosophy and Psychoanalysis | Jamieson Webster, PhD |
| Hegel | Todd McGowan, PhD |
Learn from World-Class Faculty
Our faculty are leading scholars, published authors, and practitioners who bring real-world expertise to every course.
Your Career
This program prepares you for leadership roles across academia, industry, and public service.
Academia & Research
Pursue doctoral studies or research positions at leading universities worldwide.
Public Policy
Shape policy at NGOs, government agencies, and international organizations.
Cultural Institutions
Lead at museums, foundations, and cultural organizations.
Consulting
Apply critical thinking skills to strategy and management consulting.
Writing & Publishing
Pursue careers in journalism, publishing, and content creation.
Education
Teach at secondary or post-secondary institutions.
Investment
Financial Aid Available
Every accepted student receives tuition reduction scholarships. We are committed to making education accessible.
Admission Requirements
Degree Overview
The course teaches students comprehensive and specialised subjects in philosophy; it develops skills in critical thinking and analysis. By exposing students to both the broad themes of philosophy and specialised topics and key historical figures, students will gain an advanced understanding of the field.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
Students will gain comprehensive knowledge and understanding of philosophy, including knowledge that is at the forefront of the field.
Students will be able to apply their academic scholarly abilities to produce innovative analyses of key philosophical topics.
Students will display original thinking on the basis of the knowledge they gain in the course.
Skills
Develop advanced, innovative, and multi-disciplinary problem-solving skills.
Communicate philosophical concepts clearly and unambiguously to specialised and non-specialized audiences.
Develop advanced abilities related to research methods and the conventions of appropriate, graduate-level philosophical writing.
Critically evaluate alternative approaches to solving key philosophical questions on the basis of academic scholarship and case studies, demonstrating reflection on social and ethical responsibilities.
Formulate philosophical judgments despite incomplete information by integrating knowledge and approaches from diverse domains including academic scholarly articles, verbal discussions, and original ideation and research.
Enquire critically into the theoretical strategies for handling key philosophical questions.
Develop new skills in response to emerging knowledge in the field and professional techniques to demonstrate leadership and innovation in the scholarly community.
Competences
Formulate research-based solutions to philosophical and scholarly questions in environments of incomplete information.
Manage decisions with autonomy in complex and unpredictable environments.
Organize projects and people for scholarly discussions in a way that is responsive to the conventions of rigorous philosophical engagements.
Demonstrate learning skills needed to maintain continued, life-long critical engagement.
Teaching & Facilities
The programme is taught 100% online. Classes meet approximately once per week for around nine months. MA researchers attend one to two classes per month, meaning synchronous class time is approximately 5 hours per week. After the teaching period, MA researchers work on their dissertations.
Each MA researcher is assigned a supervisor best suited to their topic and research aims. GCAS has access to a wide range of supervisors internal and external to the institution. During the dissertation period, MA researchers meet regularly with their supervisor and cohort.
Although this is a full-time programme, the majority of students who are employed full-time have successfully completed the degree within 13 months.
Researchers in the MA in Philosophy programme have access to the entire GCAS ecosystem, including all courses offered in the E-School as well as on-site seminars. Students also have access to all material recorded and stored in the GCAS library, including courses taught by world-leading thinkers in economics, natural sciences, sustainability, cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence, and more.
Prerequisites for Acceptance
Our researchers come from some of the best academic institutions in the world, including UC Berkeley, Columbia University, London School of Economics, Swarthmore, Yale, New York University, and Case Western Reserve University. However, as a college challenging traditional academia, we attract applicants who bring diverse backgrounds, experiences, and fresh perspectives. If you are passionate about learning and want to help reshape the future of education, we invite you to join our intellectual community.
Our degree programme is rigorous. Applicants must possess an accredited Bachelor's degree to be considered for admission. Most applicants hold a first-class or strong upper-second-class undergraduate degree. For applicants with a degree from the USA, most hold a minimum GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0. If your degree is not from the EU or the USA, contact our admissions team for more information.
Admission is competitive. Most successful applicants hold degrees in philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, psychoanalysis, or a similar field of study. However, applications from all backgrounds are encouraged if sufficient motivation and interest can be demonstrated.
Frequently Asked Questions
The program is intended to be completed within one year, though many participants take around 14 months to finish, and some extend up to two years depending on their pace and circumstances. Normally, a student can take up to four years to complete the program.
You really do not need a supervisor until you have completed or nearly completed your course requirements (10 courses). Once you complete your 10th course you should meet with your supervisor as you compose your MA thesis research.
You must complete 10 courses (each worth 3 ECTS credits). One course can be an elective or as an independent study. All courses are "short" meaning they only meet up 4 times -- typically on the weekends.
Yes and the reason is that such a study will help you focus on the MA thesis. The study is worth 3 ECTS credits. It is not required. Be advised: An independent study costs 200€ and this to compensate your supervisor.
Yes. To complete the GCAS MA in Philosophy requires that you write a 20,000 word thesis and defend your argument/thesis in front of a committee of Ph.D. faculty members.
Yes, after you complete or nearly complete your 10 courses you then move into the "MA thesis phase". This means you'll work with a GCAS faculty member as you compose and defend your MA thesis. It's the most rewarding part of the MA program according to the majority of MA researchers in the program.
No, not if you choose a GCAS Philosophy core faculty member typically Dr. Jamie Davies or Filippo Scafi. However, if you want a supervisor who is not a Core GCAS faculty member you will need to pay 100€ per month extra.
Dr. Creston Davis, Dr. Mario D'Amato, Dr. Jamie Davies, and Filippo Scafi.
That's fine with GCAS. You will be charged 200€ per month starting on the 15th month from enrollment. You will have up to four years to complete the degree. You don't have to pay extra fees if you complete the program within 14 months.