Degree Requirements

The requirements for the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees are set out in detail in the following document: Degree Requirements.

Handy checklists are availlable here: Traditional Track and Sciences Track.

All graduate students in the department are expected to be familiar with the contents of this document. Requirements for the Ph. D. are summarized in the following table:

Requirements Philosophy Track Philosophy and the Sciences Track Timetable
Total Hours 135 credit hours (including distribution/tool requirements below + electives + diss research hous)  
Hours (Courses) 90 hours (18 courses) in philosophy over 2 years 90 hours (18 courses in philosophy) and four courses in an empirical science over 2 and a half years  
1st Year Proseminar first year students required to take a grad course designated as having a writing intensive, "proseminar" component during first fall quarter Year 1
Distribution Areas History, Core Analytic, Philosophy of Science, Value Theory By the end of 2 years (Traditionall Track) or 2.5 years (Science Track)
History: Ancient, Medieval, Modern,
19th Century,
Pragmatism, Early Analytic 		1 course each from 3 of the 6 areas
Core Analytic: Metaphysics, Epistemology, Language-and-Logic, Mind 1 course each from 3 of the 4 areas (741 and 742 do not count here)
Philosophy of Science: General (20th or HPS), Physical, Social, Life, Cognitive Sciences 1 course from 1 of the 5 areas 1 history of philosophy of science;
1 20th century philosophy of science;
1 each from 2 of the special areas
Value Theory: Ethcs, Social and Political Philosophy, Aesthetics 1 course each from 2 of the 3 areas
Courses in Area of Specialization 2 courses in addition to satisfying the distribution requirements
Logic 2 courses: 741 (Year 1) and 742
Competence Paper 1 conference length (APA/PSA/SPP, etc.) paper delivered either to the department or at an approved conference (graduate student conferences are not acceptable) By end of 3 years (Traditional Track) or 3.5 years (Sciences Track)
Qualifying Exams 2 written exams: 1 each in 2 of the 4 Distribution Areas chosen by student in consultation with DGS and, if possible, advisor
Dissertation Prospectus Review Committee meets with student and reviews prospectus to certify that the student is ready to move forward with the dissertation
Research Tools Students are strongly recommended to take courses outside the department At least 4 graduate (600 or above; 500 in some departments) courses in an empirical discipline, no more than 1 by directed study; courses to be chosen in consultation with DGS, an advisor, or the dissertation committee; at least one in formal topics
Foreign Language 1 language, French, German, Greek, Latin or by petition. (By exam or approved course sequence.) At the discretion of the dissertation committee Prior to graduation.
Teaching Students must gain relevant teaching experience during enrollment; must take part in departmental mentoring
Colloquium Series Attendance Attend philosophy talks and colloquium series General Requirements
External Diss Committee Member Students are strongly recommended to seek out at least one member from another department or university At least one member from another department or another university (usually from the science faculty)
Miscellaneous — Required reading group conducted on the "lab meeting" model for all Philosophy and the Sciences students until advanced to candidacy