Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy)
(program description)
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to the Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) program must provide the following documents to the DSPT Admissions Office:
- A completed application form - Paper application forms are available by contacting the DSPT Admissions Office at or toll-free 888/450-DSPT; or you may apply on-line.
- An academic statement of purpose - This statement should articulate clearly and concisely your goals, study interests, and the reason the B.A. in Philosophy degree program at DSPT is an appropriate fit for you; this statement should not be a personal biography. The statement is used by the DSPT Admissions Committee to determine your preparation, as well as, your "fit" with the specific resources of the DSPT faculty. The statement of purpose is your self-presentation to the Committee; it is an extremely important part of your application. Your statement should be approximately one page in length.
- Three letters of academic recommendation - Unlike character references, these academic recommendations should speak directly to your academic and intellectual potential. Choose people who can address articulately your suitability to complete bachelor level academic work at DSPT, which is primarily a graduate school. Recommendation forms are available by contacting the DSPT admissions office, or or may be downloaded through the on-line application.
- High school transcripts - Official high school transcripts must be submitted if you do not already have a bachelor's degree.
- Official transcripts from all previous college work - Your transcripts must show at least 72 semester units of previous college work with a grade point average of 2.3 or above from an accredited college or university. Studies at the lower division level must indicate competence in written and oral communication and in quantitative skills. They must also show a general education background in the humanities and the natural and social sciences. In the case of minor deficiencies, applicants may be accepted on condition that they make up the necessary work at an accredited college while enrolled at DSPT.
- Application fee - Submit an application fee of $40.00 payable by check to the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, or on-line by credit card.
- TOEFL Test - International students must have a satisfactory score of 213 or above on the computer-based version, 80or above on the Internet-based version, or 550 on the paper-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or its equivalent.
Prerequisite Course Work (72 units)
The 72 semester units of previous course work include 45 units of general education and 27 units of electives. At least 6 of the 72 units are to involve some aspect of non-Western thought and culture, including diversity and ethnic studies. In the case of minor deficiencies, applicants may be accepted on the condition that they make up the necessary work at an accredited college while enrolled at DSPT. The possession of a previous B.A. degree from an accredited school is counted as fulfilling all prerequisite course requirements.
Prerequisite General Education Course Work (45 units)
Verbal Skills (12 units) A minimum of 12 semester units in the following areas: grammar, rhetoric, composition, speech, and foreign languages. One course must be in speech and another in composition.
Quantitative Skills (6 units) A minimum of 6 semester units in the following areas: mathematics, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and computer science. It is required that at least one course be in computer science or information technology.
Social Sciences (12 units) A minimum of 12 semester units in the following areas: psychology, sociology, social and political history, western civilization, economics, anthropology, archeology, political science, and American history. Applicants without a college course in American history must demonstrate that they have passed American history and U.S. government courses in high school with a grade of C or above.
Natural Sciences (3 units) A minimum of 3 semester units in the following areas: physics, geology, chemistry, biology, physiology, physiological psychology, anatomy, embryology, general science, ecology, health science.
Humanities (12 units) A minimum of 12 semester units in the following areas: world literature, drama, literary criticism, art, art history, intellectual/cultural history, history of science, music, history of music.
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Subtotal : |
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45 units |
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Prerequisite Electives: |
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27 units |
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Total: |
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72 units |
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Although DSPT accepts applications to the B.A. in Philosophy degree program on a rolling admissions policy, the Admissions Office sets approximately four Admissions Committee meetings per semester. For the most current deadlines see admissions deadlines or contact the Admissions Office by email at , or call toll-free 888/450-3778.
Due to the cycle of courses, B.A. applicants are only admitted to the fall semester. If an applicant would like to be considered for scholarship assistance, the candidate's application must be completed by the following "early decision" deadline:
March 15 fall admissions
(see other decision dates)
For more information about the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology degrees and programs, please contact the Admissions Office: , 510-883-2073, or 1-888-450-DSPT.
To receive a prospective student information and application packet, click on the gold “Request Information” button.
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