Program Overview
Philosophy, PhD
The Philosophy PhD program at Washington University in St. Louis is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in philosophy, preparing them for careers in academia and beyond. The program requires a total of 54 units, which can be completed in six years.
Degree Requirements
- Total Units Required: 54 units
- Degree Length: 6 years
- Grade Requirement: All courses must be passed with a grade of B- or higher
Required Courses
All students are required to take the following courses:
- PHIL 5001 Proseminar in Philosophy
- PHIL 5002 Survey Seminar (taken for six semesters)
- PHIL 5003 Research Seminar (taken for four semesters)
- PHIL 5009 Formal Methods (taken at least once)
Elective Courses
Students must have at least 18 credits of elective courses, which may include:
- Courses in Philosophy or PNP
- Courses outside of Philosophy
- Independent studies in Philosophy
- Graduate philosophy courses at Saint Louis University or the University of Missouri–St. Louis, through the Inter-University Exchange Program
Colloquium Attendance
Students must attend departmental colloquium talks held during each semester, with exceptions granted by the Director of Graduate Studies when necessary.
Qualifying Examinations
Progress toward the PhD is contingent upon passing qualifying examinations, which vary by program. In the Philosophy PhD program, each section of PHIL 5002 Survey Seminar includes a final comprehensive examination taken at the end of the course.
Mentored Experience Requirements
Doctoral students must complete a department-defined Mentored Experience, which is notated on the student's transcript when complete. In the Philosophy PhD program, students are required to complete four Mentored Teaching Experiences, normally in their second and third years.
Dissertation Seminar
Starting in the fourth year, all students must satisfactorily complete PHIL 8000 Dissertation Seminar, which is devoted to research training and dissertation project development.
Prospectus
All students must successfully defend a dissertation prospectus before a committee of at least three faculty members, one of whom will supervise the preparation of the prospectus and serve as the dissertation advisor.
The Doctoral Dissertation
A Research Advisory Committee (RAC) must be created no later than the end of the student's third year. The RAC is responsible for approving the dissertation, which must be completed under the supervision of a faculty member.
The Dissertation Defense
The Doctoral Dissertation Committee examines the student during the defense, which consists of at least five members, including the committee chair and an outside member. The possible outcomes of a dissertation defense are Pass, Revisions, and Fail.
Submission of the Dissertation
After the defense, the student must submit an electronic copy of the dissertation online to the Office of Graduate Studies, Arts & Sciences.
Master's Degree Along the Way
In the Philosophy PhD program, students can receive a Master of Arts once they have completed their required coursework and fulfilled the qualifying examinations requirement.
Philosophy of Teaching
Teaching is central to philosophy, and the practice of philosophy has required dialogue with other practitioners and novices for about 2400 years. The PhD in philosophy is not viewed as a specific qualification for any job other than teaching university and college courses.
Preparatory Engagement
Preparatory Engagement activities are those that represent an introduction to the foundational skills associated with teaching or communication. Philosophy PhD students are required to do two Preparatory Engagement activities:
- Participate in the Center for Teaching and Learning's Teaching Orientation before their first Mentored Teaching Experience (MTE) engagement.
- Participate in an MTE Orientation organized in the Fall by the Graduate Teaching Coordinator in Philosophy.
Mentored Teaching Experiences (MTEs)
Assistant in Instruction (AI)
An Assistant in Instruction (AI) is a PhD student who is directly engaged in the organization, instruction, and/or support of a semester-long course primarily taught by a faculty member. Philosophy requires 60 MER units of AI engagement at 15 MER units each.
Required Pathways for Completion
Students work with their faculty mentor and their Director of Graduate Studies to plan how and when they will complete their MERs. Students register during the normal registration period for courses in accordance with one of these approved pathways.