51¶¯Âþ

Philosophy PhD

Acquire a breadth of professional knowledge in philosophy while emphasizing depth of understanding through intensive work in specific philosophical issues with the Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy in 51¶¯Âþ’s College of Liberal Arts.Ìý

This 42-credit doctoral degree stresses early development of professional writing standards, requiring students to complete two preliminary essays in their second and third years to gain experience in research, collegial cooperation and publishing strategies.

As a Philosophy PhD student, you can teach courses under the guidance of the department's Teaching Mentoring Program. Students are also encouraged to pursue 51¶¯Âþ’s Teaching in Higher Education Certificate, offered through the .

The Philosophy Department’s acclaimed faculty offers extensive expertise in

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• early modern philosophy,
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• European philosophy, 
• feminist philosophy, 
• philosophy of language, 
• philosophy of medicine, 
• philosophy of mind, 
• philosophy of race, 
• philosophy of science and
• political philosophy.

51¶¯Âþ’s Philosophy Department has a rich history and continuing presence in the field of aesthetics. Former faculty members include American philosophers Monroe Beardsley and John Fisher. 51¶¯Âþ’s Philosophy PhD also ranks among American philosophy programs with the .

The Greater Philadelphia Philosophy Consortium

The provides expanded course options for graduate work in philosophy. Students enrolled in the Philosophy PhD program at 51¶¯Âþ may take graduate courses at the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University.

PhD in Philosophy/MA in Urban Bioethics Dual Degree

The Department of Philosophy and the Center for Bioethics, Urban Health and Policy at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine offer a dual degree program combining a PhD in Philosophy with an MA in Urban Bioethics.

The aim of the dual degree program is to provide Philosophy PhD students with specialized training in the ethics, politics and values of health in our increasingly diverse society, and Urban Bioethics students with a broader understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of contemporary bioethics. The program blends the missions and values of philosophy and urban bioethics, and it will prepare students with the depth of training and expertise necessary for future leadership roles in academia, healthcare and other public spheres.

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Interdisciplinary Approach

 The Philosophy PhD program permits students to take a limited number of courses in non-Philosophy programs at 51¶¯Âþ. Many students take courses in African American Studies, Art History, English and/or Psychology. Students may also earn the Graduate Certificate in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies in conjunction with the PhD in Philosophy.

Program Format & Curriculum

Classes for the Philosophy PhD are offered in-person on both 51¶¯Âþ’s Main Campus and its Center City campus, with classes largely offered before 4:30 p.m. The degree program may be completed on either a full- or part-time basis. It culminates in two original research papers, as well as a dissertation.

Students may take up to seven years to complete the Philosophy PhD.

Courses you are likely to take as part of the Philosophy PhD curriculum include

• Aesthetics,
• Ethics,
• Feminist Epistemology and the Philosophy of Science,
• Kant/post-Kantian European Philosophy,
• Philosophy of Medicine,
• Political Philosophy, and
• Theory of Knowledge.

Learn more about Philosophy PhD courses.

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