Get your PhD in Philosophy

The PhD degree requires a minimum of 72 semester hours of graduate credit by the time the dissertation is completed. Candidacy for the doctoral program is determined by a formal vote of the entire faculty of the Department of Philosophy, usually after the student has completed three semesters of graduate study in residence. The PhD program is structured so that all degree requirements can be completed in five years, and the vast majority of our recent graduates have finished in 4.5 to 5.5 years. The entering class for the PhD program is four to six students every fall.

PhD Philosophy

Requirements include courses in metaphysics and epistemology, history of philosophy, logic and philosophy of science, ethics, and value theory. Students are required to take a comprehensive examination that includes both a written dissertation prospectus and an oral defense. Upon successfully completing the exam, they begin work on their dissertation. There is no foreign language requirement.  The director of graduate studies, Prof. Katarina Perovic, can provide more information.

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