Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

Philosophy, Ph.D.


College of Arts and Sciences  
Department: Philosophy
 
Concentration:
  • Philosophy and Religion

 


The Philosophy program at University of South Florida aims to produce teachers and scholars with a deep understanding of philosophy and a broad knowledge of its history. We welcome a diversity of approaches to the study of philosophy, including analytic, continental, historical, literary, and multicultural. Above all, we seek to prepare our students to make contributions in their areas of expertise and to become responsible members of the philosophical community.

Major Research Areas:

Aesthetics
Analytic Philosophy
Ancient Greek Philosophy
Buddhist Philosophy
Confucian Thought
Continental Philosophy
Epistemology
Ethics and Contemporary Moral Philosophy
Feminist Philosophy
Medieval Philosophy
Modern Philosophy
Philosophy of Mind
Philosophy and Religion
Philosophy of Science
Social & Political Philosophy
19th and 20th Century Philosophy

Admission Information

Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.

  • three (3) letters of recommendation
  • a ten (10) page philosophy writing sample
  • GRE Scores
  • A brief statement of the applicant’s philosophical interests

Curriculum Requirements


Total Minimum hours:    82 Credit Hours post-bachelors

  • Core Requirements– 6 Credit Hours
  • General Course or Concentration Option – 30 Credit Hours
  • Additional Electives – 34 Credit Hours
  • Dissertation Credit Hours – 12 Credit hours

Core Requirements (6 Credit Hours)


General Course or Concentration Option (30 Credit Hours)


Student must select either the General Course Option or the Philosophy and Religion Concentration Option.

General Course Requirements Option


Philosophy and Religion Concentration


Electives (34 Credit Hours Minimum)


Graduate courses selected in consultation with the Graduate Director.

Language Competency


Students should develop reading knowledge of at least one language other than English relevant to their philosophical work.  The language(s) and level of competence required is to be determined by consultation with their prospective major professor and the graduate director.  Prior to the beginning of the third semester of matriculation, each student must submit a plan of study indicating the language or languages the student will be applying toward the language competency requirement, the level of competency expected, and a timetable for achieving that level of competency.  This plan must be approved by the graduate director and the student’s prospective major professor.

Comprehensive Exam


A comprehensive examination on a required list of readings constructed by the candidate and a committee of examiners.

Dissertation (12 Credit Hours Minimum)


  • Credit Hours: 2-19
  •  

  • •    A written prospectus for the dissertation and an oral defense of the prospectus.
    •    A written dissertation and an oral defense of this dissertation.


    If the student has selected the Philosophy and Religion Concentration, the dissertation committee must be composed as follows:

    1. Either a Major Professor appointed in both Philosophy and Religious Studies, or co-Major Professors, one of whom is appointed in Philosophy and the other of whom is appointed in Religious Studies.
    2. At least one other member from Philosophy and one from Religious Studies.