The graduate program in Philosophy at the University of Connecticut enables students to earn a Master of Arts (M.A.) in the process of obtaining the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). We also enable students to earn an M.A. without being enrolled in the Ph.D. program, but such cases are not common and we generally admit only those students intending to obtain the Ph.D. Most students enter with at least a B.A. in Philosophy (or related field) and obtain the M.A. in the first two years of the Ph.D. program, proceeding from that point to the Ph.D. Students who are admitted to the Ph.D. program with an M.A. in Philosophy from another program have the option of accelerating their progress toward the Ph.D. In addition to those imposed by the Graduate School, the graduate program in Philosophy has additional requirements listed below.
Master of Arts in Philosophy in the process of obtaining the Doctor of Philosophy
Requires a minimum of 30 credits of Philosophy coursework.
Required Courses: PHIL 5301 and 5307.
Masters Exam: Students must submit two essays in any area(s) of Philosophy demonstrating mastery in one or more subjects in the field.
Research Proposal: Students must demonstrate ability to formulate an original and defensible line of philosophical research.
Doctor of Philosophy
For students who enter the Ph.D. program with a B.A., the Ph.D. requires an additional 15 credits beyond the 30 credits required for M.A. degree above, for a total of 45 credits of content coursework, plus 15 credits of GRAD 6950 (Dissertation Research). The Ph.D. in Philosophy does not have a related area or foreign language requirement.
For students who enter the Ph.D. program with an M.A. in Philosophy from a different institution, the Ph.D. requires a minimum of 30 credits of content coursework, plus 15 credits of GRAD 6950 (Dissertation Research).
Required Courses:
- PHIL 5301
- PHIL 5307
- One course in Ethics and Social Political Philosophy: either PHIL 5302, or PHIL 5315, or PHIL 5350, or PHIL 5380. Substitutions can be made and require the permission of the Director of Graduate Studies.
- One course in Metaphysics and Epistemology: either PHIL 5312, or PHIL 5330, or PHIL 5331, or PHIL 5340, or PHIL 5342. Substitutions can be made and require the permission of the Director of Graduate Studies.
- One course in History of Philosophy: either PHIL 5320, or PHIL 5327. Substitutions can be made and require the permission of the Director of Graduate Studies.
General Examination: Students must submit three essays, one of which demonstrates mastery in Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy; one of which demonstrates mastery in Metaphysics and Epistemology; and one of which demonstrates mastery in History of Philosophy.
Dissertation Proposal: Students must complete a dissertation proposal, which includes submitting a written proposal and passing a formal dissertation proposal evaluation.
Dissertation: The dissertation has both a written and oral component.
Master of Arts in Philosophy without admission to the Ph.D. program
Requires a minimum of 30 credits of Philosophy coursework.
Required Courses: PHIL 5301 and 5307.
Masters Exam: Students must submit two essays in any area(s) of Philosophy demonstrating mastery in one or more subjects in the field.
The programs are offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.