1. 24 hours of coursework beyond completion of the M.A. in philosophy (with the approval of the graduate committee, up to six hours may be taken in another discipline). Course work beyond the M.A. must satisfy the following conditions:
   1. Only courses in which a "B" or better is earned count toward completion of the 24 hours of course work required for the Ph.D.
   2. Symbolic Logic I or II, or equivalent, or exam in symbolic logic. (This requirement is waived for candidates who have completed the above M.A. program.)
   3. At least nine hours of graduate seminar work in philosophy.
   4. By the time final coursework is taken, students must have satisfied course distribution requirements comparable to those for the above M.A. program (1, above).
2. Reading knowledge of one scholarly language in addition to English. Languages other than French, German, Latin, and classical Greek must be approved by the graduate committee of the Department of Philosophy.
3. Qualifying Examinations:
   1. Comprehensive Exam: The student must pass a comprehensive examination of his or her main area of specialization. For more information, click here.
   2. Prospectus Exam: The student must write a dissertation proposal and pass an oral preliminary dissertation examination covering the proposal and the topic of the dissertation. For more information, click here.
      
4. An acceptable dissertation, successfully defended before the dissertation committee.

Students admitted prior to Fall 2007 have the option of graduating under the previous requirements.

Satisfactory progress toward the PhD: Full-time students are to take steps to satisfy the language requirement by the end of the summer following their first year; to satisfy the 24 credit hour course requirement by the end of their second year, and normally by the end of the first semester of their second year (exceptions to be allowed at the discretion of the graduate advisor); to attempt the comprehensive exam by the end of the second year; and to hand in the prospectus and schedule the preliminary exam by the end of the summer following their second year. Part-time students should consult the graduate advisor to establish a comparable time-table. If a student successfully completes his or her requirements according to this time-table, he or she will be eligible to be considered for a fourth year of Ph.D. financial support; otherwise, not.

Admission to the M.A. program is subject to the approval of the Graduate School of the University of Arkansas and the graduate committee of the Department of Philosophy. The department encourages both philosophy majors and students with majors in other fields to apply. Though the normal expectation for admission to the M.A. program is at least 18 undergraduate hours in philosophy, including logic, exceptions are sometimes made. Students with significantly fewer hours in philosophy may be admitted "with deficiencies" (i.e., admitted but required to take more than the usual number of courses to satisfy the M.A. requirements). It is possible, but rare, for students with deficiencies to receive assistantships. The Graduate School has additional requirements, posted here.

Admission to the Ph.D. program is also subject to the approval of the Graduate School of the University of Arkansas and the graduate committee of the Department of Philosophy. Students must have an MA in philosophy to be eligible for the PhD program. Those who are still working on their MA may be conditionally admitted into the PhD program.

Assistantships/Fellowships: Department assistantships are available. For 2005-2006 the stipend of a half-time assistant was $8000. Tuition (resident or nonresident) is waived for half-time assistants. Graduate assistants usually teach Logic or Introduction to Philosophy. Applications for assistantships must be received by March 25 for consideration for the following fall. Click here for Fellowships offered by the Graduate School.

Application Materials: Application is a two-part process. Send application form, fee, transcripts, and (optional) GRE scores in a single envelope to the Graduate School. Send at least three confidential letters of recommendation, a sample of written work, and statement of purpose directly to the Philosophy Department, at the address below. Letters may be sent separately. Applicants seeking a teaching assistantship should submit an assistantship application form to the Philosophy Department as well. The Graduate School has additional requirements for International students. Click here for details.

Graduate program admission/application FAQ