Those who wish to pursue an advanced degree in other disciplines or professions will find that the M.A. program provides a springboard. It might, for example, be used as an additional preparation for law or business careers.

The M.A. program provides a solid grounding for continuing toward a Ph.D. in philosophy. Students lacking a philosophy major, for example, might use the M.A. to improve their credentials, fill in gaps in their fund of knowledge, polish their writing skills, increase their intellectual competence and confidence, and generally prepare themselves for entrance into a Philosophy Ph.D. program.

For students who are uncertain about their future plans, the M.A. program provides a chance for students to test their ability and desire to do philosophy graduate work without the extensive commitment of time and resources required by a Ph.D. program. The Texas Tech Philosophy M.A. program can be completed in three semesters, although many students take longer(especially if they are teaching assistants).

Finally, students seeking an M.A. as an end in itself, to further their understanding of the foundations of human knowledge and values, will find the M.A. program to be self-contained, providing depth as well as breadth in philosophy.