PhD in Philosophy

Program Overview

The UMass Amherst PhD in Philosophy program equips students for academic careers by fostering rigorous and meaningful philosophical inquiry. Through coursework, research, teaching experience, and a dissertation, students develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and expertise in traditional philosophical fields. The program emphasizes original research and prepares graduates for careers as scholars and educators.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The PhD in Philosophy program at UMass Amherst prepares students for a career in academia by focusing on producing rigorous and meaningful philosophy and engaging in original research alongside faculty.

Objectives:

• Produce rigorous and meaningful philosophy.
• Engage in original research.
• Prepare for a career in academia.

Program Description:

• Students will pursue coursework in traditional fields of philosophy, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, logic, and the history of philosophy.
• Students will build and hone their teaching skills by working with faculty and the UMass Center for Teaching, and volunteering in schools with the Philosophy for Kids program.
• Students will benefit from reading groups, an active departmental speaker series, and student-organized colloquia.
• The program requires extensive coursework, a starred paper, an area examination document, an oral area examination, and a dissertation defense.
• Students may receive a master's degree upon completion of all preliminary requirements except the area examination.

Assessment:

• Preliminary Requirements:
• Extensive coursework
• Starred paper
• Area examination document
• Oral area examination
• Dissertation:
• Completion and defense of a dissertation

Teaching:

• Students will work with faculty and the UMass Center for Teaching.
• Students will volunteer in schools with the Philosophy for Kids program.
• Students will participate in reading groups, an active departmental speaker series, and student-organized colloquia.

Careers:

• The program prepares students for a career in academia.

Other:

• The program is highly ranked.
• Students will engage with each other and the wider world to produce philosophy that is rigorous and meaningful.