Doctoral Degree in Philosophy
OVERVIEW
Who is this program for?
Our doctoral program in philosophy is perfect for individuals who are passionate about exploring fundamental questions regarding existence, ethics, knowledge, and society, with an emphasis on critical thinking, argumentation, and theoretical analysis. Graduates can pursue careers in academia, research, public policy, or law, applying their expertise in ethics, logic, or political theory to influence education, governance, and societal development.
Program Overview
The University of Kentucky's Department of Philosophy offers a course of study leading to the doctoral degree in philosophy. Masters degrees are typically earned along the way to completion of the Ph.D. Only rarely do we accept students who aim at a terminal MA degree.
The Ph.D. in Philosophy offers rigorous training in critical thinking, logical analysis, and the exploration of foundational questions about knowledge, ethics, reality, and human experience. Students engage deeply with historical and contemporary philosophical texts while developing their own research in areas such as metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, and philosophy of mind. With close faculty mentorship and a strong emphasis on writing and argumentation, the program prepares graduates for academic careers, as well as roles in fields such as law, public policy, and consulting where analytical clarity and reasoning are essential.
The UK graduate program in philosophy aims to prepare students for successful careers as college and university researchers and teachers. We are a pluralistic department with broad competences in most areas of philosophy. The department has particular strengths in the history of philosophy from Plato to Kant, 19th and 20th century Continental philosophy, contemporary metaphysics and epistemology, philosophy of religion, and, ethical, social, and political philosophy.
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What You'll Learn
The UK Ph.D. program in philosophy aims to prepare students for successful careers as college and university researchers and teachers, high-level employees at NGOs and consulting firms, and skilled and flexible problem-solvers in a variety of other career paths. We are a pluralistic department with broad competences in many areas of philosophy. The department has particular strengths in 19th and 20th century Continental philosophy; contemporary ethical, social, and political philosophy; contemporary philosophy in the Analytic tradition including metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of science; and history of philosophy.
Degree requirements, course descriptions and academic policies for all programs are detailed in the University Catalog.
Admission Requirements
Please view the Graduate School's Admission Requirements. If there are Additional Requirements listed below, those program-specific requirements also apply.
Application Requirements
Please view the application requirements for the Graduate School. If there are Additional Requirements listed below, those program-specific requirements also apply.
Program Specific Requirements
The University of Kentucky's Department of Philosophy offers a course of study leading to the doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in philosophy. We do not accept students who aim at a terminal M.A. degree. We offer financial support to admitted students, typically through teaching assistantships and/or fellowships.
The GRE is not required for admission to this program. If an applicant chooses to submit GRE scores, these will be taken into consideration.
Application Deadlines
Domestic Students
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Fall
- 07/25/2025
International Students
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Fall
- 04/15/2025
Explore Funding Options
As a graduate student, there are additional opportunities for student funding. Once you are admitted into a degree-bearing graduate program at UK, you can apply for a wide variety of financial assistance, including assistantships and fellowships. These opportunities can be tied to your program’s availability, so you should inquire with your program director about opportunities available within your program!
Program Specific Funding Opportunities
Contingent upon maintaining satisfactory progress, all incoming doctoral students are guaranteed five years of financial support, typically through teaching assistantships and/or fellowships. In addition to full tuition waiver and health insurance, incoming students can expect an assistantship stipend of over $19,900 or a fellowship grant of up to $18,000.
Get Involved!
Students who get involved in activities outside of the classroom tend to do better academically and develop meaningful relationships with others at UK. Our network of student organizations and activities has something for everyone, from academic to professional to fun!
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