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Master of Arts (Philosophy)

Overview

Talbot’s Master of Arts with a concentration in Philosophy is a rigorous and highly selective program that equips you to do philosophy from a Christian worldview and prepares you for a wide range of vocational callings.

Led and taught by renowned Christian philosophers, Talbot’s philosophy program is committed to developing thinkers who can give voice to the Christian worldview in intellectually credible ways — in the philosophical community, in academia, in the church, in popular culture and every other aspect of life. With an extensive track record of preparing students for competitive doctoral programs and careers, Talbot faculty are committed to the intellectual formation of all who seek to develop and sustain a vibrant intellectual life as part of being a follower of Christ.

  • Learn from World-Renowned Philosophers and Faculty. William Lane Craig and J.P. Moreland — both of whom are widely recognized among the most influential living philosophers — are just two of the reputable philosophy professors you will interact with, in addition to numerous other leading Bible scholars and theologians. Talbot professors are widely published in scholarly journals and popular media, and are everyday practitioners who lecture all around the world. The wisdom they offer stretches beyond the in person and online class as faculty welcome opportunities to mentor students outside the classroom.
  • Pursue Your Path to a Ph.D. in Philosophy. Talbot’s philosophy program offers a rigorous and rich experience through the study of metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of religion, ethics and philosophical theology. This program continues to have one of the most successful placement rates in the most competitive doctoral philosophy programs, with students who have continued to doctoral programs at New York University, Princeton University, University of Southern California, University of Notre Dame, Northwestern University, University of Texas at Austin, University of St. Andrews, Oxford and elsewhere. (Those interested in doctoral work after studying at Biola should ask their admissions counselor for the Department of Philosophy's policy on letters of recommendation.)
  • Prepare for a Wide Range of Vocations. Graduates have gone on to tenured or tenure-track positions at institutions including Baylor University, Loyola Marymount University, Pepperdine University and California State University, Sacramento, among others. In addition, the program develops graduates’ ability to do philosophy in various ministry programs, such as parachurch and local church apologetics, and in fields such as ethics, religious studies, law, political science and theology.
  • Study Philosophy in a Theologically and Spiritually Engaged Way. Talbot’s philosophy program is distinct for its theological engagement, offering a broad education that intentionally prepares you to think philosophically from a Christian worldview — to become a Christian philosopher. Be conversant across multiple disciplines as you deepen your knowledge in contemporary analytic philosophy while being trained in the Scriptures and growing more attentive to the Spirit’s work in your life.
  • Prepare to Engage with Others — In and Outside the Philosophical World. Talbot’s Master of Arts program is committed to preparing your whole self with classes on spiritual formation led by professors with a philosophical background. You will be equipped to engage with others in and outside of philosophy as you develop an understanding of yourself, others and the Spirit.
  • Join a Community of Christian Philosophers. Talbot philosophy students experience a supportive and enriching community in the Talbot Philosophical Society (TPS), which hosts various events throughout the year, including an orientation, boot camp and several talks. TPS is a student-run organization on campus and often gathers at the Philosophy House, a university-owned home next to Biola.

For more reasons to choose Talbot School of Theology for your education, see the Why Talbot? page.

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Courses

What will I study as a Master of Arts (Philosophy) student?

Each of Talbot School of Theology’s Master of Arts programs include a core of biblical and theological foundation courses, the Spiritual Formation Core, an area of academic specialization, and additional elective courses.

Some of your courses include:

Epistemology I (TTPH 544)

A topical study in the definition of knowledge and justified belief, problems in skepticism, the nature of epistemic justification and the nature of truth. Application will be made to special epistemological issues in religion, e.g., religious experience, miracles, inerrancy, burden of proof issues. Grade Mode: A.

Philosophical Anthropology and Philosophy of the Mind (TTPH 667)

A study and defense of the existence and nature of the soul, the reality of disembodied existence, the nature of human action, and issues in personal identity. Various models of human nature will be investigated (dualism, behaviorism, functionalism, the identity thesis, eliminative materialism), as well as their implications or ethics. Grade Mode: A.

Philosophical Theology (TTPH 685)

A philosophical analysis of important doctrines of the Christian faith, e.g., freedom and determinism, the incarnation and the coherence of theism. Special emphasis will be placed on the concept of the attributes of God, on philosophical prolegomena to the practice of theology, and on religious pluralism. Notes: May be taken multiple times with different content. Grade Mode: A.

Admissions & Deadlines

As a Christian institution, Biola seeks to admit applicants whose backgrounds clearly demonstrate scholarly aptitude, a commitment to the historic Christian faith, personal character and integrity, and a positive service-oriented motivation toward their field of study. Biola does not discriminate on the basis of the applicant's race, color, sex, socio-economic status, disability, or national or ethnic origin.

Education and GPA Requirements

  • You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution by the time you plan to start coursework at Biola, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Note: If you do not meet the degree or GPA requirements above, you may still be considered for admission. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions office at graduate.admissions@biola.edu. If you are an international student, contact grad.international@biola.edu.

English Proficiency Requirements

  • If English is not your first language, you are required to display your English proficiency before admittance into a Biola University graduate program. See “English Proficiency” in the application steps section below.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • General: July 1
    • International Students
      • On Campus: June 1
      • Online/Hybrid: July 1
  • Spring Semester
    • General: November 1
    • International Students: October 1

Visit Biola

Explore our sunny Southern California campus in person or virtually. Learn more about your program of interest and the admissions process by scheduling an appointment with an admissions counselor.

Visit Biola
Virtual Tour

Meet Your Admissions Counselor

If you have more questions about the program, admissions process or Biola in general, schedule a phone call or send an email to your admissions counselor.

Graduate Admissions Counselor

Photo of Chris So
Chris So

Email: chris.j.so@biola.edu
Text or Call: (562) 784-7064
Book a Phone or Virtual Appointment

International Graduate Admissions Counselor

The Office of International Admissions serves students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

Email: grad.international@biola.edu
Book a Phone or Virtual Appointment

Application Steps

  1. Complete and submit the online application

  2. Submit a non-refundable $65 application fee

  3. Submit supplemental application materials through your online application portal:

  4. Official Transcripts

    • Submit all official transcripts from previous academic institutions.
      • Request official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
      • If enrolled at the time the application is filed, be sure to request transcripts of work finished to date and final transcripts upon completion of your course of study.
      • Transcripts will be considered official only when a) mailed directly from the institution to Biola, b) sent electronically through an approved vendor or c) physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution. Final approval for admission is contingent on receiving an official transcript.
        • Mail transcripts to:
          Biola University Office of Graduate Admissions
          13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639
    • Note for International Students: All international transcripts need U.S. grade equivalencies noted (i.e. GPA on a 4.0 scale). If your transcripts do not show U.S. grade equivalencies, you must have them evaluated by a credential evaluation agency like SpanTran (Biola Discount), World Education Services (WES) or Foundation for International Services (FIS). Be sure to choose "course by course report" and have SpanTran/WES/FIS send them directly to Biola University via online portal or post (13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639) in order to be considered official.

    Two Reference Letters

    • Pastoral reference
    • Character reference (someone in a leadership role in your life)
    • Note: Additional instructions can be found in the online application.

    Two Essays

    • Christian testimony
    • Vocational testimony
    • Note: The essay prompts can be found in the online application.

    English Proficiency (required for non-native English speakers)

    • Evidence of English proficiency is required for all students to support student success. Proficiency must be shown through one of the methods described below:
      • Minimum test score on a qualifying standardized test
        • TOEFL: minimum score of 90 iBT
        • IELTS: minimum score of 7.0
        • Duolingo: minimum score of 125
      • A degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral) issued by an institution where English is the medium of instruction.
        • Official written communication from the institution (Registrar, Controller of Examinations Office, or Undergraduate College)
        • Official degree statements or transcripts may be accepted given English is stated as the medium of instruction
        • Official catalog verification
        • Note: For universities from non-Anglophone countries, further language assessment may be required.
      • Completion of the English Language Scholars (ELS) with passing status on the ELS's final exit exam, which must be approved by the ELS Director in collaboration with the academic program committee. An updated TOEFL or IELTS score may be used at the end of a term to test directly into the graduate program for the following term.
      • Qualify for English Language Scholars (ELS), which allows students who do not meet the minimum TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores to still enroll in their graduate degree program. Students would be taking academic English courses concurrently with the graduate degree program courses. 
        • Students eligible for ELS will be assessed by the ELS Director to determine the total number of academic English courses to take while enrolled in their graduate program courses. The following are the scores needed to qualify for ELS: TOEFL iBT 81 / IELTS 6.5 / Duolingo 110–124.
        • Note: Students must be admitted to the graduate program first to be considered for ELS.

     

    Additional Forms

     

    Things to Note

    • Track your application status at any time. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting. You can complete a portion and finish at a later time. Your information will be saved. When you apply, to guarantee confidentiality, you will be asked to create a user name and a password, and will receive a personalized identification number. Track your application status by logging in to the online application.
    • Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student’s academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution.
    • International students who will be studying on campus are required to apply for an F-1 student visa. For more information, visit biola.edu/international/admitted-students.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Biola is committed to help make your studies affordable — each school offers different scholarship, grant and loan opportunities to help finance your education.

Cost Per Credit (2024‑25) $704
Full-time Tuition Per Term (Estimated) Based on 9 credit courseload$6,336
Part-time Tuition Per Term (Estimated) Based on 3 credit courseload$2,112
Total Program Tuition (Estimated) Based on total program credits and 2024‑25 cost per credit$34,496

Faculty


Format

On Campus: You'll study in person at Biola University's campus in Southern California.

Online: You'll take coursework fully online.

Hybrid (On Campus and Online): This program includes a blend of course formats, including online and in person at Biola University's Southern California campus.

Total Credits

Every program at Biola University features rigorous academics, biblically integrated curriculum and vocational preparation.

Cost per Credit

This is the cost per credit; total tuition costs for each term will differ for part-time and full-time students.

Standard Completion Time

This indicates the standard duration of this program. Completion time may vary depending on transferred coursework and preferred courseload.

Accreditation

Biola University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additional accreditations may apply to specific programs.