Philosophy, PhD

Source: https://e-catalogue.jhu.edu/arts-sciences/full-time-residential-programs/degree-programs/philosophy/philosophy-phd/ Parent: https://e-catalogue.jhu.edu/programs/

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When the Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876, it was the first university in the United States designed as a center for research and doctoral education. Among its earliest graduate students were Josiah Royce and John Dewey; C.S. Peirce was an early faculty member. The William H. Miller III Department of Philosophy continues this tradition today, preparing graduate students to make original contributions to the field and to pursue careers in college and university teaching. Please see the Philosophy Department handbook for more information on funding and benefits.

Usually there are about 15 graduate students taking courses and seminars, and another 15 at various stages in the writing of their dissertations. Because classes are small, we look for students who wish to take advantage of the individual attention available here. The Department’s purpose is to provide opportunities for students to develop special interests within a program that also ensures breadth of knowledge. We offer classes, seminars, and directed study in the history of ancient, modern, and contemporary Western philosophy, and in the systematic areas of epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, philosophy of science, philosophy of physics, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, philosophy of mathematics, mathematical logic, and aesthetics. Courses with relevance to philosophy are frequently offered in other departments, and in certain circumstances these may be used toward the PhD or MA course requirements in philosophy.

For more information on the requirements for the PhD, financial aid, and other support refer to the Department's website.

Admission Requirements

While an undergraduate major in philosophy is good preparation for graduate study in the department, applications are welcomed from students with other majors whose interests are now turning toward philosophy.

To apply, please read the information below and on the Graduate Admissions website, and complete the application online.

If applying to more than one department, please send complete application materials for each department. All application documents must be provided in English (either the original or translations of the original documents). If you are unable to secure translations to English, we recommend that you contact World Education Services.

All application materials and supporting documents should be uploaded through the online application; these include:

• Online application
• Application fee
• Statement of Purpose (briefly state your area of interest at the beginning of your Statement of Purpose; upload through the online application)
• Letters of recommendation (three): Letters of recommendation should be submitted and uploaded electronically following the instructions in the online application.
• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts must be uploaded through the online application. Applications will be ready for review with unofficial transcripts, but official transcripts will be required if an offer of admission is made
• GRE scores (optional)
• TOEFL or IELTS score (for international applicants)
• Sample of work (the sample should reflect the applicant’s area of interest, and generally does not have to be more than 20 pages in length).

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is December 15.  Admissions decisions will be made around March 15.

For questions or inquiries about the online application and supporting documents, contact the Graduate Admissions office using the online contact form. You may also contact the Department's administrative office at philosophy@jhu.edu or 410-516-7524.

Requirements

Coursework

A minimum of 14 courses is required, of which Proseminar will count as 2. Students must satisfy the Categories I-III distribution requirements, the analytic philosophy requirement, and the social concepts requirement (see handbook for details). A minimum of 3 of the required courses must be graduate seminars at the 600 level. The minimally passing grade in regular courses is B-.

Preliminary Research Exercise

In consultation with their advisor, students decide on a contemporary debate or subfield to research during the summer between the first and second years.

Qualifying Paper

Work on the Qualifying Paper extends from the end of the second year to the middle of the third year. Every student is expected to sign up for independent study with their advisor for the first term of the third year in order to work on this project.

Dissertation Proposal & Topical

The Dissertation Proposal is a paper of roughly 15-20 pages, accompanied by a bibliography, developed in consultation with the advisor and one other faculty member. When the Proposal is completed and is judged acceptable by these two faculty members, the Topical examination will be scheduled and the Proposal will be circulated to the entire department.

Dissertation & GBO Exam

A Ph.D. dissertation is to be written under the direction of the student's Dissertation Readers, who share the entire responsibility for its supervision.

Please see the Graduate Student Handbook for more detailed information.

M.A. Degree Requirements

Students are not normally admitted to pursue a terminal Master's degree in Philosophy. (Anyone applying to the Department to pursue such a degree will need to provide a compelling explanation of why this is necessary or desirable.) However, students may earn and receive a Master's degree in Philosophy in the course of pursuing the Ph.D. in Philosophy, or in the course of pursuing a graduate degree in another field, or if they enter the Ph.D. program in Philosophy but then leave the Department (for any reason) before completing it. Students enrolled in departments other than Philosophy must be approved by the Department (by a majority vote of the entire faculty) in order to receive a Master's degree.