Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy

Each incoming PhD student is assigned a faculty Advisor who, in conjunction with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), will recommend a suitable program of philosophy courses. Students are expected to acquire a broad competence in both History and Contemporary Problems of Philosophy and to develop an area of specialization prior to undertaking formal research for a doctoral thesis . The Advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies will be responsible for overseeing the student’s progress until the student has completed the course and breadth requirements and constituted a Thesis Committee. The Thesis Committee, consisting normally of three faculty members, assists the student in defining an area of specialized research within which he or she intends to write a dissertation.The Committee approves a Research Reading List and guides the student in the writing of an (article-length) Qualifying Paper. On the basis of the paper and written and oral Qualifying Exams, the Committee then determines whether the candidate has met the Qualifying Requirement and can now begin formal research for the thesis.The Five-Year PhD Timeline summarizes the department’s due dates for each requirement. In addition, the Qualifying Year Checklist serves as a handy guide for the required steps during that year. To remain in good standing in the department, a student must complete each requirement by its due date. A student who falls out of good standing in the department is no longer guaranteed funding and no longer guaranteed a spot in the PhD program.

GRE scores are no longer required and will not be considered. Applicants should, however, submit CVs for the upcoming admissions season.A student seeking admission on the basis of a bachelor’s degree must have a strong background in philosophy (roughly equivalent to at least an undergraduate major), with minimum average grades of B+ in the applicant’s overall program and A- in the applicant’s philosophy courses.A student seeking admission on the basis of a master’s degree in philosophy must have an average grade of at least an A- in that master’s program. The PhD program is intended primarily for those interested in teaching philosophy and doing advanced philosophical research. Applicants must satisfy the Admissions Committee that they are capable of independent research in philosophy at an advanced level.The Statement of Interest is a statement of about 300 words which indicates your areas of interest in philosophy at the graduate level. If there is information about you that you would like the committee to have, but that cannot be included elsewhere in the application, you may include it here.The Writing Sample is a piece of your written work in philosophy (in English or French), such as a term paper. Submit one writing sample only, preferably not exceeding 15 pages double-spaced (this excludes Notes and Bibliography). Applicants must provide contact information for at least two, but preferably three, philosophy instructors who have indicated they are willing to write a recommendation. Curriculum Vitae: Applicants should submit an up-to-date CV