Ph.D. Program

Sample Ph.D. Semester Tracks

Here are two ideal examples of the number of semester/credit hours needed to graduate with a Ph.D. degree in Philosophy. The first example is based on a student entering the Ph.D. program with an M.A. degree. The second example is based on a student entering the Ph.D. program without an M.A. degree. Please note that the Ph.D. requires 84 hours total, but students with a completed M.A. may apply 30 hours from the master's degree towards the Ph.D. requirements. All Ph.D. students must complete 18 hours of PHI 792 Research and 12 hours of PHI 799 Dissertation.

1) Graduate students entering the Ph.D. program with an M.A. should plan their schedules according to the following example:

Year 1

Fall semester
9 semester/credit hours of course requirements

Spring semester
9 semester/credit hours of course requirements

Year 2

Fall semester
6 semester/credit hours of course requirements, and 6 semester/credit hours of PHI 792 Research (to prepare for comprehensive examinations)

Spring semester
12 semester/credit hours of PHI 792 Research (to prepare for comprehensive examinations and dissertation prospectus)

Year 3

Fall semester
12 semester/credit hours of PHI 799 Dissertation

Total number semester/credit hours required: 54 hours after admission to the Ph.D. program

2) Graduate students entering the Ph.D. program without an M.A. should plan their schedules according to the following example:

Year 1

Fall semester
9 semester/credit hours of course requirements

Spring semester
9 semester/credit hours of course requirements

Year 2

Fall semester
9 semester/credit hours of course requirements

Spring semester
9 semester/credit hours of course requirements

Year 3

Fall semester
9 semester/credit hours of course requirements, and 3 semester/credit hours of PHI 792 Research (to prepare for comprehensive examinations)

Spring semester
9 semester/credit hours of course requirements, and 3 semester/credit hours of PHI 792 Research (to prepare for comprehensive examinations)

Year 4

Fall semester
12 semester/credit hours of PHI 792 Research (to prepare for comprehensive examinations and dissertation prospectus)

Spring semester
12 semester/credit hours of PHI 799 Dissertation

Total number semester/credit hours required: 84