Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Master of Arts (Philosophy) is designed for students who want to investigate philosophical questions at an advanced level and develop specialist research capability.
• The programme focuses on critical thinking, evaluating arguments, constructing clear and persuasive reasoning, and understanding the assumptions behind different viewpoints.
• Students can pursue an area of philosophy that particularly interests them through either a research report or a thesis.
• The programme can be completed through a coursework pathway or a more research-intensive thesis pathway.
• Massey specifically identifies the ability to handle difficult ideas, communicate thinking clearly, remain flexible and adapt to changing challenges as transferable skills developed through the degree.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The programme is divided into two parts.

Coursework Pathway:

Part One – 120 credits

• 134710 Philosophical Research – 30 credits
  • Focuses on key issues in philosophical research and development of a philosophical research project.
• 134740 Advanced Study of Philosophical Topics – 30 credits
  • Advanced study of selected areas such as epistemology, metaphysics, theories of mind and value theory.
• 134750 Advanced Study of Philosophical Texts – 30 credits
  • Detailed examination of selected philosophical texts at an advanced level.
• 134760 Advanced Philosophical Inquiry – 30 credits
  • Advanced study in an area of current philosophical research.

Part Two – 60 credits

• 134873 Research Report Philosophy – 60 credits
  • Supervised and guided independent study.

Research Pathway:

Part One – normally 90 credits as specified by the programme structure, with the Philosophy research preparation including Philosophical Research and appropriate advanced subject study.

Part Two – thesis component:

• 134816 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 – 60 credits
• 134817 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 – 60 credits

Alternatively, the 90-credit thesis structure comprises:

• 134881 Thesis 90 Credit Part 1 – 45 credits
• 134882 Thesis 90 Credit Part 2 – 45 credits

Disciplines/Specialisations

The specialisation is:

• Philosophy

Within the advanced Philosophy courses, students can work in areas including:

• Epistemology
• Metaphysics
• Theories of mind
• Value theory
• Philosophical texts
• Current philosophical research

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 9 master's qualification.
• 180-credit advanced postgraduate programme.
• Distance and online delivery.
• International students can study online from outside New Zealand.
• Choice between coursework/research-report and thesis-based study.
• Strong emphasis on independent research and critical analysis.
• Philosophy research can cover epistemology, metaphysics, theories of mind, value theory and other current philosophical questions.
• The programme can normally be completed in 3 semesters of full-time study.
• Students entering the research pathway must achieve the higher progression threshold of a B+ average in the first 60 credits.

Career Outcomes

Massey identifies a broad range of career destinations for Philosophy graduates, including:

• Advertising
• Business
• Computing
• Journalism
• Management
• Policy analysis
• Publishing
• Research
• Teaching
• The Treasury

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The programme page currently states that the Master of Arts is subject to CUAP approval.
• Philosophy is currently listed as a Distance and online specialisation.
• International students are explicitly permitted to study online from outside New Zealand.
• Not all courses are available in every semester.
• The qualification is parts-based, so students must complete Part One before progressing to Part Two.
• The first 60 credits are important for progression: B is required for the coursework pathway and B+ for the research pathway.
• Students undertaking a thesis must enrol in the second thesis part again, and pay the applicable fees for each additional semester, if the thesis is not submitted at the end of the initial enrolment period.
• Exact thesis/research topic availability and supervisor availability are not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying the Philosophy MA online from outside New Zealand, Massey explicitly allows this study mode, so a New Zealand student visa is generally not required because the student is not entering New Zealand to undertake the programme.

If the student instead intends to undertake the programme while physically studying in New Zealand, the relevant immigration route is normally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa. Immigration New Zealand currently requires, among other things:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient tuition funding or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical/travel insurance as required.
• Meeting health, character and other visa requirements.
• Online visa application; paper applications are no longer accepted.
• Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least 3 months before planned travel.