University of Kentucky Department of Philosophy Regulations for Graduate Study (“Grad Regs”)
The Department of Philosophy at the University of Kentucky offers programs of study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Applicants may, once admitted to the Ph.D. program, apply to leave the program with an M.A. only.
The purpose of the Ph.D. program is to develop the student's ability to complete a Doctoral degree successfully. Doing so will enable the student to do independent research in philosophy, to secure an academic job at the University or College level, or to pursue a career in which rigorous and critical thinking are desired.
The purpose of the M.A. degree is to provide the student with a fundamental understanding of the major historical and contemporary points of view in all of the basic areas of philosophical inquiry and to develop the student's capacity to formulate and analyze philosophical problems. Such a degree is suitable either as preparation for further study in Philosophy or as a complement to advanced training in a variety of other fields.
What follows is a general outline of the requirements and procedures for successful completion of the Ph.D. program, and M.A. degree, in Philosophy. This is not intended as a substitute for the Graduate School Bulletin, which students should consult for a complete statement of Graduate School rules and regulations. Each student is responsible for knowing and meeting all requirements.
Satisfactory progress through the Ph.D. program is typically made by fulfilling seven general requirements, each merely summarized here. (The requirements are more technical than this: please refer only to the official program regulations for the authoritative statement of the requirements).
- At least 52 hours of course work, with specific distributional requirements.
- Satisfactory completion of 741 and 742 (1st year Prosem).
- Satisfactory completion of 740 (Teaching Practicum).
- Satisfactory completion of Philosophy 520: Logic, or its equivalent.
- Satisfactory demonstration of reading competence in one foreign language relevant to the student’s philosophical program of study (e.g., Greek, Latin, French, or German).
- Satisfactory completion of three steps preparatory to writing the dissertation: the Area Proposal, the Qualifying Exam, the Dissertation Proposal (each of these steps has written and oral components).
- Satisfactory completion and oral defense of a Dissertation.
Graduate students in Philosophy are responsible for understanding and complying with these sets of regulations:
- Graduate Studies in Philosophy Regulations (pdf).
- University of Kentucky Regulations of the Graduate School, found in the current Graduate School Bulletin]
- University of Kentucky Student Rights and Responsibilities