Philosophy, PhD

Location(s): Main Campus

The graduate program in social, political, ethical and legal philosophy (SPEL) offers graduate students advanced coursework and individual research in classical, modern and contemporary social and political philosophy, ethics and the philosophy of law. SPEL recognizes and respects work in both the Anglo-American (analytic) and the Continental (European) traditions, as well as in various non-Western traditions, in feminist philosophy and critical race theory, and in other emerging areas of philosophy.

The SPEL program helps students gain the skills and experience necessary to become excellent teachers of philosophy and prepares students for other aspects of a career in philosophy. SPEL faculty understand that the primary professional goal of PhD students in philosophy may or may not be to gain an academic position. Professional development and placement are central to the SPEL program and are tailored to individual students’ goals.

Admission Requirements

Acceptance into the PhD program requires satisfactory completion of the MA requirements described above or their equivalent (such as an appropriate MA degree from another institution). Under normal conditions, students accepted with an MA in philosophy from another institution are exempt from all MA requirements other than the first-year SPEL seminar and the colloquium. A master’s level specialization in philosophy is not required for admission; a broad background in the humanities or social sciences, as well as philosophy, can constitute a proper preparation for this graduate program. However, students who did not study social and political philosophy and ethics as part of their MA work will be asked to take the MA comprehensive exams as part of their requirements for the degree.

Program Requirements

Course Requirements

A minimum of 24 graduate level credit hours (six seminars), with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.3, is required for the PhD program. When applicable, courses may be chosen from departments other than the Philosophy Department, in consultation with the student’s advisor. Students must also complete the appropriate number of dissertation credits required by the Graduate School.

Students entering with an MA from another institution must take the first-year SPEL seminars during the first and second year of residency, and must enroll in the SPEL colloquium every semester for their first two years of residency. This is in addition to the 24 credits required for the PhD.

Proficiency Requirement

Level 1 Logic requirement: A grade of B or higher in an undergraduate course on formal logic, or completion of the final examination in (undergraduate) Elementary Logic (PHIL 122) with a grade of B or higher, or a grade of at least B on the SPEL examination in Basic Formal Logic.

Comprehensive Exam and Prospectus Requirements

Acceptance of a dissertation prospectus and satisfactory performance on a PhD qualifying examination given by the student’s third semester of full-time residence in the PhD program (i.e., the third semester after completing the MA requirements). A committee of three faculty members, the majority of whom are members of the Philosophy Department, approve the prospectus and administer the exam which includes both a written and an oral component.

Dissertation Requirements

Satisfactory completion of a dissertation under the direction of a dissertation committee chosen by the student in consultation with her or his faculty advisor. The committee is composed of at least three faculty members, the majority of whom must be members of the Philosophy Department. The dissertation must be approved by the dissertation committee and defended in an oral examination.

Additional Information About the Program

For more information on the Philosophy PhD program, please refer to the Philosophy website. To apply to the Philosophy PhD program, please visit the University Admissions website.