Philosophy, Ph.D.

Program Overview

Saint Louis University's PhD in Philosophy prepares students for academic careers through a comprehensive curriculum covering both historical and contemporary philosophical issues. Students benefit from fieldwork and research opportunities, including access to unique resources like Res Philosophica and the Vatican Film Library. The program's non-course requirements, such as the dissertation prospectus and oral examination, ensure rigorous scholarship. Graduates are well-equipped for positions as teachers and scholars in the field of philosophy.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Saint Louis University's Doctor of Philosophy program in Philosophy is designed to prepare students for careers as teachers and scholars in the field. The program aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to engage in high-level philosophical discourse.

Outline:

• Curriculum Overview: The program's curriculum explores both historical and contemporary philosophical issues, including metaphysics, epistemology, social and political ethics, and philosophy of religion.
• Fieldwork and Research Opportunities: Students have access to unique resources such as the international philosophical journal Res Philosophica , the Vatican Film Library, and the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.
• Course List:
• History of Philosophy:
Students must select two courses from each of the following categories: Ancient Philosophy, Medieval Philosophy, and Modern Philosophy (18 credits total).
• Topics Courses: Students must complete 15 credits in topics courses, distributed over at least three of the following four areas: Epistemology, Metaphysics, Ethics, and Social and Political Philosophy.
• Advanced Symbolic Logic: Students must take PHIL 6220 Advanced Logic (3 credits) and achieve a grade of "B" or higher.
This course examines the metatheory of propositional and predicate logic and is typically taken during the first year of graduate studies. Students who have taken a similar course prior to entering the program may have this requirement waived.
• Electives: Students must complete 9 credits of electives.
• Dissertation Research: Students must complete 12 credits in PHIL 6990 Dissertation Research, taken over multiple semesters.
• Non-Course Requirements:
• Dissertation Prospectus:
Students must complete a dissertation prospectus by the end of the sixth semester of study.
• Oral Examination: Students must pass a two-hour oral examination on the dissertation prospectus, covering any aspect of the written prospectus.
• Foreign Language Proficiency: Proficiency in a foreign language may be required for research.
• Continuation Standards: Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
• Roadmap: The program provides a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study, assuming full-time enrollment.
The roadmap outlines the required courses and milestones for each semester, including critical courses that must be completed in the designated semester to ensure timely graduation.

Careers:

Graduates of the program are prepared for careers as teachers and scholars in the field of philosophy.

Other:

The program offers regular opportunities to work with eminent visiting scholars, participate in numerous colloquia and conferences, and join a variety of reading groups. Students also have opportunities to participate in exchange programs.