Syracuse University offers programs leading to the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in philosophy. Studies in the Ph.D. Program are designed to prepare students to make original contributions in philosophy and to teach at the college or university level. Studies in the M.A. program are designed to enhance a student's understanding and expertise in some aspects of philosophy.

The curriculum of the department provides opportunities for concentrations in metaphysics, epistemology, the philosophy of language, the philosophy of mind, ethics, political philosophy, and the history of philosophy. Curricular resources, both within the philosophy department and in related departments, also provide for concentrations in which religion, psychology, law, and language and linguistics are a focus of interest. The degree programs reflect the view that proper graduate education in philosophy includes both the study of the history of philosophy and the examination of current philosophical issues.

For more information about Graduate Admissions, go to: https://www.syracuse.edu/admissions-aid/application-process/graduate/

To go directly to the application: https://graduate.admissions.go.syr.edu/apply/

Application deadline: January 1 to be considered for funding; late applications considered until March 1.

Do not send application materials to the department, send all materials to the Graduate School (Admissions) directly.

The application fee is $75.

In addition to completing the application, the following are also required:

• Transcripts from previous institutions
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• Personal Statement
• Scores from English Proficiency tests (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo) for applicants whose first language is not English
• Writing Sample (Please see instructions below)
  

***We will no longer accept GRE scores as part of the application, and will not consider them even if you submit them.

Instructions for Preparing Writing Samples

Writing samples must be prepared in a way that facilitates anonymous review. Please ensure that your writing sample satisfies the following criteria:

1. The first page of the writing sample should include the title of the paper, the name of the author of the paper, and the institutional affiliation of the author.
2. The second page of the writing sample should include only the title of the paper.
3. No other page in the writing sample should include the name of the author, the institution of the author, or any acknowledgements or thanks to named individuals. (If the author of the paper feels it is important to include acknowledgements, these can be included on the first page of the paper.)

Currently the department does not offer financial assistance for MA students.

An M.A. is earned after completion of 24 credit hours of coursework (8 courses) and defense of a 6-credit master’s thesis. Non-thesis option: with the permission of the department, a student admitted to the Ph.D. Program may receive the M.A. in philosophy after completing 36 credits of graduate coursework. The M.A. program is intended to do the following: (i) educate students in depth on the nature of philosophy, (ii) train students in methods of reasoning and analysis that have wide applicability, (iii) permit graduate-level research and study in philosophy by students who are not necessarily committed to becoming contributing members of the field (such as university professors).

The M.A. Program is not a component of the Ph.D. Program, but the M.A. degree can be awarded as an intermediate achievement in the Ph.D. Program. Although courses, faculty, activities, and facilities are shared by both programs, acceptance in the Ph.D. Program is not included in acceptance in the M.A. Program. An important difference between the two programs is illustrated in the difference between an M.A. thesis and a Ph.D. dissertation. In addition to greater scope and complexity, a dissertation must make a genuine contribution to the advancement of philosophical research; whereas, the M.A. thesis need not make such a contribution (though it may). The M.A. thesis must, however, demonstrate mature understanding and expertise in philosophy.

Full-Time Certification

When you have completed your course requirements, and you are in ABD status, you need to register for GRD 998 every semester. Also, you need to complete a Full-Time Certification form as well to keep your status as a full-time graduate student in the Department.

Graduate School Guidelines for Theses and Dissertations.