Students entering the Ph.D. program must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students entering the M.A. program must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Please note that these are minimum requirements and that higher GPAs are desired and may be necessary for admission.
Applicants to the Ph.D. should have completed some prior coursework in philosophy, preferably at least six courses in logic or critical thinking, ethics, the history of philosophy, and in areas such as metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, political philosophy, social philosophy, or aesthetics. Applicants to the M.A. program should have completed prior coursework in philosophy as well, preferably at least four courses.
Please note that the guidelines about prior coursework represent minimal conditions. Satisfying such a criterion does not guarantee that we will view an applicant as having sufficient preparation for graduate work in philosophy at UB. If an applicant's previous coursework was completed a long time ago, the applicant did not perform well in those courses, or the contents of the courses do not serve as adequate preparation for graduate work in philosophy, more coursework will be required.
All applications must include the following materials and must be uploaded by the relevant deadline above.
- Completed application form.
- Electronic copies of transcripts of all previous undergraduate or graduate coursework. Only admitted applicants will be required to submit official transcripts.
- Three letters of recommendation, preferably from professors who have taught you philosophy (though other letters will be accepted). Once you submit your application for final review, your recommenders will receive an automated email requesting that they upload their recommendation letter. Please note that your recommenders should upload their letters by the relevant deadline. You should submit your application much earlier than the deadline so as to give your recommenders time to submit.
- A personal statement of 500 to 1,00 words, double-spaced. Please include a description of your background in philosophy and the areas of philosophy that interest you.
- A writing sample of your philosophical work that is 3,000 to 6,000 words (about 10 to 20 double-spaced pages).
- GRE scores are not required but are strongly encouraged.
If you aren't eligible for the above entry requirements, you might have a chance to explore pathway options at University at Buffalo - SUNY. If you want to find out more, speak to our counsellors.
