Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy

Program Overview

The University of Kansas's Ph.D. in Philosophy program equips students with advanced knowledge, research skills, critical thinking, and effective communication abilities in philosophy. The program requires 39 credit hours of coursework, a qualifying paper, a comprehensive oral examination, and a dissertation. Students must demonstrate competence in a foreign language or complete a research-related course.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy (Ph.D.) program at the University of Kansas requires 39 hours of graduate coursework. It begins with a first-year proseminar and culminates in an independent research seminar leading to the writing and oral defense of a qualifying paper.

Objectives:

The program aims to equip students with:

• Advanced knowledge in various philosophical areas.
• Research skills and the ability to conduct independent research.
• Critical thinking and analytical abilities.
• Effective communication of philosophical ideas in written and oral forms.

Program Description:

• Coursework: 39 credit hours, including a minimum of 24 hours in courses numbered 800 or above.
• Qualifying Paper: An independent research seminar culminating in a near-publishable quality paper, typically 8,000-12,000 words.
• Comprehensive Oral Examination: A prospectus defense for the dissertation.
• Dissertation: A substantial research project requiring independent research, writing, and defense.

Assessment:

• Coursework: Graded on a letter scale, with a minimum grade of B- required in each course and an overall GPA of 3.0 in philosophy.
• Qualifying Paper: Evaluated for its rigor, originality, and scholarly quality.
• Comprehensive Oral Examination: Assesses the student's understanding of the dissertation topic, research methodology, and ability to defend their research plan.
• Dissertation: Evaluated for its originality, scholarly merit, and contribution to the field.

Other:

• Foreign Language Requirement: Demonstrated competence in an approved foreign language OR completion of a DGS-approved course related to research interests.
• Distribution Requirement: Students must complete seven courses across various philosophical areas:
• Value Theory (2 courses)
• Metaphysics & Epistemology (2 courses)
• History of Philosophy (3 courses):
• Ancient Philosophy (1 course)
• Modern Philosophy (1 course)
• Philosophical Traditions (1 course)
• Research Skills & Responsible Scholarship Requirement: Met by taking PHIL 800 Proseminar and completing PHIL 901 Qualifying Paper.