phd philosophy virginia

Philosophy Graduate Programs in Virginia

1-4 of 4 results

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA •

University of Virginia •

Graduate School

• • Rating 4 out of 5   1 review

Alum: Very good in some areas, excellent in other areas, many academic choices available in all areas of study ... Read 1 review

University of Virginia ,

Graduate School ,

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Very good in some areas, excellent in other areas, many academic choices available in all areas of study .

Read 1 reviews.

College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

Blacksburg, VA •

Virginia Tech •

Virginia Tech ,

BLACKSBURG, VA ,

College of Humanities and Social Sciences - George Mason University

Arlington, VA •

George Mason University •

George Mason University ,

ARLINGTON, VA ,

Houston Christian University School of Humanities

Houston Christian University •

Graduate School •

HOUSTON, TX

Valparaiso University

VALPARAISO, IN

• • Rating 4.7 out of 5   10

Tulane University

NEW ORLEANS, LA

• • Rating 4.22 out of 5   37

School of Liberal Arts and Education - Hampton University

Hampton, VA •

Hampton University •

Hampton University ,

HAMPTON, VA ,

The New School

NEW YORK, NY

• • Rating 4.46 out of 5   37

Davis College of Business and Economics

Radford University •

RADFORD, VA

College Of Arts & Sciences- Valparaiso University

Valparaiso University •

Showing results 1 through 4 of 4

• JD/MA Requirements
• Job Placement Record
• PhD Requirements
• Recent Dissertations

What are the most important considerations in making admission decisions?

We do not attach decisive importance to any one factor but instead weigh all four sources of information that are required for the application: the writing sample, letters of recommendation, grades in courses (particularly grades in philosophy courses), and statement of purpose. A weakness in one area can be counter-balanced by strength in another. We are trying to form an estimate of how you will do in a demanding graduate philosophy program, and we look at all the evidence available. We are also looking for evidence that you have a deep and genuine interest in doing philosophy; you are unlikely to have the motivation and commitment to carry you through the difficulties of pursuing a philosophical career unless you have such an interest.

How long should my statement of purpose and writing sample be?

There are no strict word limits, but as a rough guide: the statement of purpose should be 1-3 pages, double-spaced; the writing sample, not more than 20 double-spaced pages, unless there is a good reason to exceed that length.

What grade point averages are you looking for, and what is your acceptance rate?

In recent years, the average  GPA's of those offered admission have been as follows: undergraduate GPA, 3.81. The program is highly selective in terms of its applicant to acceptance ratio. All offers of admission come with full financial support consisting of tuition remission, health insurance, and a stipend unless the applicant can provide evidence of sufficient external support to complete the Ph.D. degree.

Do you favor applicants with an M.A. degree over those with only a B.A.?

No. We are looking for philosophical talent and that can be evidenced in a wide variety of ways. In the last decade we have admitted students from many different types of backgrounds--from prominent research universities to small liberal arts colleges with small philosophy faculties. Our admissions committee takes into account differences in educational preparation and is looking for both demonstrated achievement and future promise.

Should I apply for the M.A. Program or the Ph.D Program?

We offer a terminal M.A. only for joint J.D./M.A. students. For more information on the J.D./M.A. program, please contact Antonia LoLordo in Philosophy or Daniel Ortiz  in the Law School.

Is there a way to waive the application fee?

U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a demonstrated financial hardship (or who meet other criteria) are eligible for an application fee waiver. The waiver is administered by the graduate school, not the department. You can find more information here:  https://graddiversity.virginia.edu/application-fee-waiver

What is the timetable for admissions decisions?

Usually by March 1 offers of admission have gone out to the top applicants. Around the same time notification will be sent to those on the waiting list and those to whom offers will not be made. This timetable is not rigid and depends in part upon the number of applications received. Between March 1 and April 15, the situation is fluid. Across the country, the strongest applicants, at least as perceived by philosophy departments, will have received a number of offers from which they must choose. There is a national deadline of April 15 for offers to be accepted and as that date approaches offers are accepted or declined, at which point further offers are made using the waiting list. If you are on the waiting list, keep the Graduate Admissions Director informed of your interest or change of situation, preferably by e-mail, but please be patient. Often there is no movement on the waiting list until close to April 15. If you receive an offer from us, although we understand that many of you have choices, it is a disservice to those on the waiting list to hold on to an offer that you do not intend to accept.

Can visits to the University be arranged?

Applicants who have been accepted in the first round of admissions offers are invited to come to the University for a weekend in March to meet faculty, already enrolled graduate students, and other admitted applicants. We will subsidize travel expenses.

How long does it take to get a Ph.D.?

Five years is standard: any student good enough to be admitted should be capable of completing the program in five years of full-time work. (Obviously, leaves of absence or other special circumstances could extend the number of calendar years it takes to get the degree.) Thus, beyond five years, there is no presumption of eligibility for financial aid.

What help is given to graduates and graduate students seeking teaching jobs?

The Placement Director assists graduates in finding academic employment. Placement services include departmental compilation and mailing of student dossiers, committee review of dossiers and letters of recommendation, regular advising and placement meetings to prepare prospective job candidates, departmental representation at major philosophical conventions, mock job interviews, and financial assistance to help defray the costs of job-hunting and presenting papers at conferences. Graduate students also receive assistance in the preparation of papers for presentation and publication.

Graduate teaching is taken very seriously in the department, and all graduate students will serve as teaching assistants and teach small courses of their own design during their time in the program.

What is your record in placing graduates with Ph.D.'s in teaching jobs?

P lacement Record Since 2004

• Affiliated Faculty
• Emeritus Faculty
• In Memoriam
• Distinguished Majors Program (DMP)
• Bioethics Minor
• Philosophy, Politics, and Law
• Accelerated MA Program
• The PHIL CLUB
• Fall 2024 Course Listing

Department of Philosophy

College of humanities and sciences.

Request information

Why study philosophy?

With a bachelor of arts in philosophy from VCU, you'll hone your reasoning skills and be able to apply them as you explore carefully reasoned answers to deep questions about the human condition.

You'll also have many opportunities to sharpen your writing skills, increase your openness to rational criticism and learn to disagree about some of life's most important questions in a civil way. Finally, philosophy can equip you for any career that requires careful thinking and the ability to clearly express ideas.

Learn more about the value of a degree in philosophy .

Explore careers

April 26, 2024

Class of 2024: Ty Phillips brings a philosophical approach to his VCU years, medical hopes and life in general

As a double-major student, EMT and aspiring doctor, he embraces his natural curiosity and commitment to community.

April 18, 2024

National Endowment for the Humanities awards two grants to VCU projects

One will establish a health humanities minor, while the other supports a professor’s book project on visual images of African Americans in leisure contexts from slavery through the Jim Crow era.

Dec. 20, 2023

Class of 2023: Carlton Nivens found a ‘Pathway’ to VCU, and he pays it forward with a commitment to mentoring

Philosophy graduate with a computer science minor has supported peers and youth through CodeVA and tribal engagement.

Philosophy  Spotlight

Meet a Student: Stephen Ingram

When Stephen Ingram took his first philosophy class, he felt like he was stepping into a deeper world, one where he was equipped to uncover the things that matter most in life. Read more about Stephen's favorite classes, favorite professors and how his major is allowing him to become a more developed thinker.

Alum Success Story: Carlos Carrion ('12)

Having received his law degree in 2020, Carrion serves as legal counsel for the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights and Inclusion for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He previously served in the Navy Reserve and as an investment advisor at Merrill Lynch.

Alum Success Story: Melat Kassa ('18)

Kassa, a quantitative market research consultant, says her philosophy degree has helped her ask better questions and clearly advocate for why her point of view is the right course of action to take.

Alum Success Story: Thomas Mick ('11)

Mick credits the Department of Philosophy's approach to applied logic and argument building for helping him quickly pick up on the computing languages he had to learn in his role as lead software engineer for TechCampus learning at Capital One.

Alum Success Story: Regan Price ('20)

Price is a public administration intern at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government. Read more about how she feels the study of ethics has been helpful in her career.

Ph.D. Programs

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is the highest academic degree awarded by the university and is conferred upon students who demonstrate outstanding original scholarship during advanced study. It signifies that the student is able to conduct independent research and has both a broad basic knowledge of all areas of the field and a comprehensive knowledge of one area.

Course Requirements

Each Ph.D. student must complete a minimum of 92 credit hours, consisting of 30 course-credit hours, 60 credit-hours of research and dissertation, and 2 course-credit-hours of Seminar. The Seminar requirement is waived for students who earn a master's degree in ECE at Virginia Tech; this requirement is fulfilled at the master's degree level. There is no foreign language requirement.

Examinations

In addition to completing a dissertation and passing an oral defense of the dissertation, candidates must successfully meet two examination requirements, a Ph.D. Qualifying Examination and a Ph.D. Preliminary Examination.

Qualifying Exam

Entering Ph.D. graduate students must pass the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination by the end of his or her third academic-year semester, i.e., not counting the summer terms. We recommend students make their first attempt before the end of their second semester. This exam has oral and written components, and serves as a departmental filter to assess the student’s broad background in ECE, verbal and writing abilities, and the potential for successfully completing doctoral work.

Preliminary Exam

The Preliminary Examination is normally taken near the end of Ph.D. course work and at least 9 months before the dissertation defense. This is an oral exam, before the student’s advisory committee that determines the student’s ability to develop scholarly research. The student presents the results of his or her current research investigations along with an outline of a proposed Ph.D. dissertation. The examination committee may also ask questions on course work and related topics, including possible written, open-ended questions prior to the oral exam.

Dissertation and Defense

The ability to perform significant and independent research is the prime requisite for the Ph.D. degree. The culmination of a Ph.D. candidate’s research is the development of a dissertation, which describes in complete detail the research and results, demonstrating the student's expertise in the subject area.

The Final Oral Ph.D. exam is an oral defense of the dissertation with respect to:

• Originality
• The importance of the problem considered
• The method of solution and/or analysis
• The achievement of the research objective
• The clarity of the presentation
• Expertise of the student

Admission to the Ph.D. program requires a minimum 3.5/4.0 grade point average in M.S. work. See  admissions .

Bradley Fellowships

Each year, ECE offers renewable Bradley Fellowships to several top applicants. Ph.D. Fellows receive tuition, plus annual cash awards of $25,000. See  financial awards .

Greater Washington, D.C., metro area Ph.D.

Ph.D. programs in EE and CPE are available in the greater Washington D.C., metro area. See the  greater Washington, D.C., metro area site .

Detailed information

Ph.D. requirements and procedures are posted in the  ECE Graduate Student Policy Manual .

Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture and Design Research, Architecture Track

Ph.D., based at Main Campus + WAAC

Degree Tracks within the Ph.D. in Architecture and Design Research program

There are two major tracks within the Ph.D. in Architecture and Design Research degree program, each of which has topical areas. The requirements for the tracks vary slightly, but both provide significant flexibility for each student to develop a plan of study consistent with his or her academic goals. The two tracks are Architecture and Design Research.

Architecture Track

The Architecture track within the Ph.D program in Architecture and Design Research includes research topics in Architectural Representation and Education, Architectural History and Theory, Historic Preservation, and Computing and Representation.

The Architecture track will share resources on the Blacksburg Campus and the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center in the National Capital Region (NCR). At the latter location, students can make use of the many research libraries available in the Washington, DC area, including the Library of Congress, National Building Museum library, American Institute of Architects Library, CASVA, Smithsonian Institution, the Dumbarton Oaks Library and many privately-owned architectural archives to develop their topics in architectural representation.

Design Research Track

The Design Research track within the Ph.D. program in Architecture and Design Research primarily operates on the Blacksburg campus. Principal focus areas within the Design Research track are Building Science, Interior Design, Industrial Design, and Landscape Architecture. Other areas of study include those outlined in the  MS degree , History/Theory/Criticism, Health and Wellness Design, Social Impact Design, Biodesign, and Design Technology. Over the past fifteen years, the number of students and diversity of research activities in the Design Research track has steadily grown resulting in an internationally recognized program. Admission to the program is highly competitive with only a few admissions offered each year.

Architectural Acoustics focus

The Architectural Acoustics focus within the architecture program at Virginia Tech engages acoustics under the umbrella of design. The program encourages students to bring issues of room acoustics, speech privacy, and noise control into their design studios and into their careers, and involves students in individually-tailored rigorous research in the field.

Architectural Acoustics students are encouraged to integrate their class work with their design studio work. Academic study centers around understanding the relationship between the built world and sound, calculating and predicting acoustic performance of spaces, and executing acoustic measurements (impulse response, reverberation time, background noise, and sound transmission loss). The College’s Architectural Acoustics Laboratory houses equipment capable of taking acoustic measurements in rooms, simulating acoustic environments and analyzing the acoustic character of computer-modeled and scale-modeled rooms.

Those interested in learning more about the curriculum, discussing the body of research investigated, or speaking with students who have completed their study in architectural acoustics are encouraged to contact Prof. Michael Ermann by email or at 540.231.1225.

The faculty are seeking to admit a highly selective group of students who have master’s degrees in closely allied fields, such as Architecture, Environmental Design, Building Science, Landscape Architecture, Architecture History and Theory, Interior Design, and Industrial Design. In addition to the application requirements of the Virginia Tech Graduate School and those pertaining to all graduate programs within the School of Architecture and School of Design, applicants to the Ph.D. degree in Architecture and Design Research must submit a portfolio and a 2,500-word statement of research focus. Students are encouraged to contact members of the faculty with whom their interests and research focus area align.

Degree Requirements for the Ph.D. in Architecture and Design Research:

The Graduate School requires each Ph.D. student to complete 90 semester hours of graduate study and dissertation.

All students, regardless of area of specialization, are required to complete a sequence of specific Architecture and Design Seminars. A two-semester sequence seminar will focus primarily on epistemology and the nature of discipline and practice of architecture, viewed in the context of architecture and the allied fields. Students will also enroll in a continuing seminar course required every semester of residence. In these seminars, Ph.D. students, the School faculty involved with the graduate program, and possible guests present their own research for critical review and feedback. The Ph.D. students in the Architecture track must also pass a test of reading ability in a foreign language related to their selected topics (native languages and English do not fulfill this requirement).

In addition, all students must complete a special Research Methods course organized by area of specialization. At the approval of the student’s advisory committee, the course may be also taken in the other area of specialization or outside of the school.

Related links

Information regarding admission to Graduate Programs in Architecture

Graduate Architecture Program Policies

History Department Graduate Program

What We Offer

We offer a master's in history, as well as the option to pursue a graduate certificate in public history. Most students receive funding packages, including tuition and a stipend.

Additionally, the  History Graduate Student Association  promotes student-faculty communication, provides students with a sense of community outside the classroom, and offers leadership opportunities. Since 1998, the History Graduate Student Association has organized an annual research conference with student presenters from Virginia Tech and many other master's and doctoral programs. 

Graduate Program Contacts

Melanie Kiechle  Director of Graduate Studies 417 Major Williams Hall [email protected]

Cammie Sgarrella  Graduate Coordinator 431 Major Williams Hall [email protected]

• Give to JMU

JMU Alum Shares Insights about Law School

SUMMARY: Recent philosophy graduate Greg Robertson ('22) returns to campus to participate in the College of Arts and Letters Career Readiness Conference.

Greg Robertson (Philosophy, '22) recently returned to JMU to participate in the College of Arts and Letters Career Readiness Conference.  The College of Arts and Letters puts on the conference every year to give current JMU students a chance to connect with alumni and learn from their experiences in order to prepare for their future careers.

Robertson's return to JMU included two guest lectures (in PHIL 120: Critical Thinking and PHIL 267: Philosophy of Law) and two panel sessions at the conference proper.  "I had a wonderful experience at the CAL Career Readiness Conference," Robertson said.  "The faculty and students were genuinely curious as to what the guest speakers had to say and were not afraid to explore topics through questioning the speakers." 

Robertson is currently a law student at West Virginia University, and he was especially keen to share how his background in philosophy helped to prepare him for the rigors of law school.  "JMU helped me to cultivate skills that are crucial to the practice of law.  The professors in the Philosophy Department at JMU challenged me to think critically, explore ideas, and communicate effectively all while maintaining an accepting and accessible learning environment." 

Robertson also stressed the importance of seizing opportunties while enrolled at JMU: "If I ever missed out on something, whether it be academic or social in nature, I could never say that it was because the opportunity was missing." 

Robertson had words for philosophy majors in particular: "When you study philosophy, you are joining the company of some of the greatest thinkers in history whose answers to immense questions form the foundation of our society.  Try to recognize the profoud nature of your major as the study of the fundamental building blocks of how we think and interact with each other and the world." 

Dr. Mark Piper, who invited Robertson to speak to both of his classes, had nothing but praise for Robertson's performance.  "Greg is a superb ambassador for the Philosophy program and the Department of Philosophy and Religion.  He is kind, respectful, intelligent, hardworking, articulate, and generous with his time.  He is mature beyond his years.  JMU can be very proud to have him as an alum."  Dr. Andrea Veltman, who served as Robertson's academic advisor in the Philosophy program, concurred: "Greg is a hardworking young man with a strong committment to social justice.  Few students have such intrinsic motivation for advanced study.  It is rare and deligtful to teach students like Greg." 

Robertson took away fond memories from his visit.  "Something that struck me during my visit was the earnest eagerness for growth and knowledege that characterizes JMU students. I was happy that such students were attending JMU because I knew that their thirst for knowledge and wisdom would be satisfied." 

Back to Top

Published: Monday, February 26, 2024

Last Updated: Monday, April 22, 2024

Related Articles

• Expenditures
• Accessibility
• Social Media

University of Virginia School of Law

Hail to the Class of 2024

Priya Kareddy, Julia Jean “JJ” Citron, Andre Earls, Daniel McCray, Kate Granruth, Haley Gorman, Casey Schmidt, Dennis Ting, Sumit Kapur, Grace Allaman, Sean Onwualu and Rachel Lia pose for photos in April. Photo by Julia Davis

Graduates and their guests will gather Sunday for commencement at the University of Virginia and the School of Law. As the community prepares for the celebration, read more about the Class of 2024 and their achievements in the stories below.

• Class of 2024 Graduation Ceremony Details
• Watch the UVA Final Exercises Livestream (9 a.m. ET)
• Watch the Law School Livestream (12:15 p.m. ET or view weather plan details )
• Meet Commencement Speaker Dasha Smith ’98

Graduate Profiles and Career Accolades

Camano Capitalized on Multiple Abilities Despite facing physical and health challenges from a significant congenital condition, Joseph Camano juggled academics, sports and music.

From the Lagoon to the Libel Show to Law Grad James Hornsby directed the school’s comedy sketch show and was involved in a host of other student activities.

Following a Dream Once Deferred, Leonard To Join Marine Judge Advocates Meet Lauren Leonard, vice president of Older Wiser Law Students and a future Marine judge advocate lawyer, who chased two deferred dreams at once at UVA Law.

23rd Powell Fellow To Address Housing Disputes Michael Pruitt will provide legal support to public benefits recipients as the 23rd Powell Fellow in Legal Services.

Zipperer Wins School’s First Immigrant Justice Corps Fellowship Grace Zipperer will serve as an Immigrant Justice Corps Fellow at the Empire Justice Center in New York.

10 Students in the Class of 2024 Will Take on Roles in the Federal Government Ten students in the Class of 2024 have obtained positions with the federal government after graduation.

JAG Officers Enhance Legal Education With UVA LL.M. Degrees Already equipped with their J.D.s, five military lawyers furthered their legal education by earning master’s degrees.

Leaders and Award-Winners

Crowley, Hernandez Tragesser Receive Rosenbloom Award Casey Crowley and Sophia Hernandez Tragesser received the Law School’s 2024 Rosenbloom Award, which honors students with a strong academic record who have significantly enhanced the academic experience of their peers.

41st Annual Softball Tournament Brings Home Record $40,000 for Charity Andrew Becker ’24 was this year’s NGSL commissioner, and Sally Levin and Grace Stevens were tournament directors.

Hudson Wins Swanson Award Keegan Hudson was this year’s recipient of the Gregory H. Swanson Award, named in honor of the first Black student to attend UVA and the Law School.

Citron, Hornsby, Hudson and Putfark Named Ritter Scholars Julia Jean “JJ” Citron, James Hornsby, Keegan Hudson and Elizabeth Putfark were named the 2023-24 Ritter Scholars.

UVA Law Tax Moot Court Team Finishes Fourth Kathryn Kenny, Kathryn Peters and Riley Ries were part of this year’s International and European Tax Moot Court competition.

Jessup Moot Court Team Competes in International Rounds Daniel Elliott was part of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition team, which advanced to the international rounds.

Singsank Clinches Pickleball Title for UVA Lauralei Singsank scored the winning shot for UVA at the pickleball collegiate national championship.

Gray, Maliyekkal Win 95th Lile Moot Court Competition Sean Gray and Aquila Maliyekkal won the 95th William Minor Lile Moot Court Competition.

Adams Named Tillman Scholar Tyler Adams, a U.S. Army veteran, was named a 2023 Tillman Scholar.

Ahmad Named Inaugural Women’s Health Summer Fellow Salwa Ahmad worked at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as the Law School’s inaugural Women’s Health Summer Fellow.

Hamilton Wins UVA Oratory Competition Peter Lee Hamilton won UVA’s third annual student oratory competition.

Flanagan Wins Notre Dame Writing Competition Caitlin Flanagan won third place in Notre Dame Law School’s Program on Church, State & Society annual writing competition.

Cerja Leads Student Bar Association Tommy Cerja IV served as president of the Student Bar Association.

Assefa Leads Virginia Law Review Biruktawit “Birdy” Assefa served as editor-in-chief of the Virginia Law Review.

Gorman Honored for Highest GPA Haley Gorman won the Carl M. Franklin Prize for earning the highest GPA after two semesters and the Jackson Walker LLP Award for the highest GPA after four semesters.

Star Witnesses – Q&As With Students

Clark Builds Relationships as Therapist, Student Ambassador Kirsten Clark, a former therapist, discussed how therapy and lawyering skills intersect, and what she enjoys about representing the school as an ambassador.

Deering Grows His Portfolio Tristan Deering explained how his international business experience drew him to corporate and tax law.

Heck on the ‘Appeal’ of Law School Hunter Heck discussed her path to law school and how she prepared for the William Minor Lile Moot Court competition.

Kijewski Bridges Generations Jordan Kijewski talked about volunteering with Madison House and working for AmeriCorps before coming to law school.

Experiences Drive Mato To Help Others Sabrina Mato explored her interest in immigration law and her interest in building bridges among student communities.

Mercado Violand Advises Governor As he was starting his law student career, Fernando Mercado Violand was appointed to the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice.

Onwualu Trades in Playbooks for Casebooks Sean Onwualu, a former Syracuse football player and sports agency extern, discussed his most interesting classes and meeting Justice Stephen Breyer.

Sharma Tackles Sovereign Debt Law Rishabh Sharma, a former math teacher and wrestling coach, said he enjoyed studying international debt law at UVA Law while also working toward a master’s in education policy.

Experiencing the Law

Gray, McNerney Win Appeal at Sixth Circuit Sean Gray and Lauren McNerney recently won their case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit through the Appellate Litigation Clinic.

Ahmad, Hallisey Explore Health Care Issues in Kenya Students — including Salwa Ahmad and Sydney Hallisey — traveled to Kenya for their annual research trip over winter break, spending seven days learning about health care rights and related issues in the East African nation.

Hild, Pritchard Win on Appeal for Ukrainian Client Harry Hild and Meg Pritchard succeeded in a federal court appeal, allowing their client to remain in the U.S. after facing deportation to Ukraine.

Students Report on Transformative UN Trip Students in the International Human Rights Law Clinic — Maya Artis, Camille Blum, Nora Logsdon and Jina Shin — traveled to the U.N. headquarters in New York for a unique learning experience.

Students Teach Business Law Classes to Incarcerated Eight students — including Io Jones, Sumit Kapur, Katherine Poppiti and Liam Zeya — participated in a pilot program teaching business law classes to incarcerated people.

Ferguson, Hachten Help Pass Mental Health Reforms Michael Ferguson and Clare Hachten of the State and Local Government Policy Clinic worked with state Sen. Creigh Deeds on bills to reform temporary detention orders, or TDOs, which allow courts to direct a law enforcement officer to take an at-risk person into custody and transport them to a specified facility for mental health treatment.

Zipperer, Human Rights Project Studies Argentina’s Post-Dirty War Justice Eight students, including Grace Zipperer, traveled to Argentina to learn about human rights initiatives in Latin America in the aftermath of a Dirty War and military dictatorship.

Ahmad, Surgil Witness Tense Dialogue at OAS General Assembly Students in the International Human Rights Law Clinic attended the Organization of American States’ 52nd General Assembly in Lima, Peru, in October. The students — including Salwa Ahmad and Sabrina Surgil — recounted some of what they experienced there.

Ratliff, Stein Practice To Be Lawyers In this photo essay, William “Trey” Ratliff and Elizah Stein competed in first-year oral arguments.

When They Were First-Years

Ahmad, Keck Receive Virginia Public Service Scholarships Salwa Ahmad and Molly Keck were the 2021 recipients of the Virginia Public Service Scholarship.

First-Year UVA Law Students Receive Top Scholarship for Leadership Learn about five students — Jacob Baltzegar, Kayla Duperrouzel, Ricardo Hughes, Zain Imam and Lauralei Singsank — who received a Karsh-Dillard Scholarship.

Class of 2024 Sets Records in Academic Strength, Diversity Meet five 1Ls profiled among the entering class: Michael Martinez, Julie Mardini, Biruktawit “Birdy” Assefa, Tom Harrigan and Sam Bennett.

Scalia Carries on Family Tradition For incoming student Megan Scalia, pursuing a J.D. wasn’t a foregone conclusion.

Incoming Law Student Gained Insights on Justice as TV News Reporter TV news journalist Dennis Ting unclips his microphone to join the incoming first-year class.

Incoming Law Student Aims To Help Fellow Soldiers Army officer William “Trey” Ratliff came to UVA Law with plans to join the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps — and later fulfilled his goal .

Founded in 1819, the University of Virginia School of Law is the second-oldest continuously operating law school in the nation. Consistently ranked among the top law schools, Virginia is a world-renowned training ground for distinguished lawyers and public servants, instilling in them a commitment to leadership, integrity and community service.

Mike Fox Director of Media Relations Email

• Academic Calendar
• J.D. Curriculum
• Current Courses
• Concentrations
• Academic Policies
• Study Abroad
• Graduate Studies (LL.M. and S.J.D.)
• Dual-Degree Programs
• Programs and Centers
• Experiential Learning
• Educating Legal Scholars
• Faculty Scholarship
• The Free Exchange of Ideas at UVA Law
• Admissions Process
• J.D. Application Information
• Virginia Residency
• Online Status Checker
• Make Online Seat Deposit
• Transfer Students
• Brochures and Key Websites
• ABA Required Disclosures
• Diversity, Equity and Belonging
• Admitted Students
• Graduate Studies
• Financial Aid
• Karsh-Dillard Scholarships
• Student Organizations
• Academic Journals
• Student Government
• The Honor System
• Living in Charlottesville
• Awards, Fellowships and Honors
• Moot Court and Trial Advocacy
• Legal Writing Fellows
• Student Affairs
• Student Records
• Career Development
• Law IT/Computing
• Courts & Commerce Bookstore
• Employment Resources for Students
• Office of Private Practice Staff
• Resources for Private Practice Employers
• Public Service Center Staff
• Funding for Public Service
• Program in Law and Public Service
• Resources for Public Service Employers
• Office of Judicial Clerkships Staff
• The Pro Bono Program
• About the School
• Facts & Statistics
• Consumer Information (ABA Required Disclosures)
• Event Calendar
• Video & Audio
• Subscribe and Connect
• University of Virginia

I was a philosophy graduate with no career ideas – this is my advice for today’s students

On the face of it, my 18-year-old self had very little in common with today’s 18-year-olds. 

The technological revolution has transformed the lives of teenagers over the past 40 years, impacting their study habits, social interactions, and career prospects.

Yet, while the world seems so different, key constants prevail when it comes to that moment of standing on the verge of adulthood. One of my favourite novels, JD Salinger’s coming-of-age masterpiece The Catcher in the Rye, was first published in 1951. The 16-year-old protagonist’s rite-of-passage angst and wonderings resonate just as strongly today.

I have three teenagers and speak at many schools and universities. You don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to see that young people’s questions about careers are much the same as they’ve always been, with one additional significant unknown: the impact of artificial intelligence on their lives and employment prospects .

Uncertainty about the future is inevitable, especially for those who are just beginning their journey. The first thing I would tell any 18-year-old is to try to embrace uncertainty, to use this time to explore potential careers rather than feel oppressed by the need to eventually make a decision. Time really is on your side. 

If your experiments lead you to the conclusion that a specific career is not suitable for you, that is valuable insight to guide you towards something you might find more enjoyable.

At 18, I had no clue about what I would do for a living. My chosen degree subject, Philosophy, was at the bottom of the “graduate employability” league tables. 

I was still determined to achieve financial independence on graduating.  I was also ambitious , aspiring for a career, not just a job.

The careers office at Cambridge University was a cramped little room filled with dusty leaflets, located at the opposite end of town from my college. I’d trek down there and realise I had no idea where to begin. 

My research included enrolling in a summer law course, but I detested the learning-by-rote and inability to question unjust laws. Journalism was also a “no”; everyone working on the student newspaper seemed to relish the pressure of deadlines, while I found them stressful.

Although it was discouraging to realise certain paths were not meant for me, the process of elimination was crucial. It was friends who suggested the City. They identified traits that I struggled to see in myself – a risk-taker who enjoyed working with those who were equally ambitious. 

My journey was aided by the “milk round”, when merchant banks promoted their firms through in-person events at Oxford and Cambridge.

The milk round is no longer, with virtual careers fairs, graduate job boards (listings of jobs for graduates) and company presentations taking its place, making the information accessible to a broader audience. There are also online courses to help school leavers and graduates apply for jobs and prepare for the world of work. 

The Diversity Project (which I chair) runs  online skills workshops  hosted by different investment firms, for example, completely free and open to anyone over the age of 18. Now in its fourth year, 24,000 young people have participated so far. 

The wealth of information is good news but can make the search for the “right” career seem even more daunting. “Career assessment” tests aim to help narrow the search. Curious, I have tried a couple; they were more personality tests than aptitude tests. 

My children have also taken similar quizzes at school. They yielded some unexpected – and unappealing – results; to be honest, I’m not convinced. Friends, teachers and family know you better than any test. Explore your ideas by talking to them, and listen to their advice. It certainly worked for me.

My third suggestion is not to look for the one “right” thing, which can be like finding a needle in a haystack, but to search for something that simply piques your interest. If you know exactly what you want to do, go ahead. The rest of us may need to gradually learn to love what we do. 

You’ll know when you’ve made a good choice when a virtuous circle develops, where you start to enjoy it more as you improve – and your increased enjoyment levels, in turn, help to enhance your performance.

These days, there is also the possibility of summer internships – usually 10-12 weeks of intense work experience (paid at least the minimum wage, with a few exceptions). Many students try to find one for between their second and third years at universities; it’s a good idea, enabling both parties to “try before you buy”. 

But the whole process is stressful; it can be highly competitive to secure an internship and then the hours can be excessive.

As I was leaving a City event last summer, I found myself walking to the tube station alongside a young attendee; she explained she was heading back into the office at the investment bank where she was interning. It was 9pm. 

When I questioned this, she said she never left before 1am. Six weeks into her internship, she was doubting whether this was for her. No one works those hours over the course of a long and successful career. 

Prestigious summer internships are not the be-all-and-end-all. With six other children in their 20s and 30s, I have seen many other ways to kick-start a career.

One of my daughters took her university finals in the summer of 2020. She hadn’t a clear enough sense of her destiny to apply for internships the prior year, and when she graduated there was nothing available owing to the lockdown. 

I suggested that she take a “gap year” to explore various online courses and discover what she enjoyed the most. After a few months, she decided to study for the Investment Management Certificate and found that she really enjoyed it. 

With the help of the organisation Girls Are Investors she found an entry-level position at a small, rapidly expanding company. From having “no clue” to starting a rewarding career within a couple of years. 

So, I would tell the 18-year-old version of myself to take that leap into the unknown. I would advise her not to worry about getting it right first time, but to enjoy discovering new things and broadening her horizons. I would tell her not to over-stress about summer internships – there is more than one path to getting a foot in the door. 

I realise that’s all easier said than done – especially in a fragile world. Today, there is even more pressure, but there are also more opportunities and a more level playing field, thanks to the internet. 

It worked out for me, but there were many moments when it could have gone either way. So, keep talking to your friends, siblings, or parents, and don’t be shy about asking for their advice.

And what about AI? Many jobs will change, others will emerge, and some will disappear. Unless you’re pursuing a directly related field, I wouldn’t spend too much time agonising over whether the role you have in mind will become obsolete. 

The most important thing at this stage is to develop skills that will be useful as the world and your chosen sector or company changes. No job is for life – and that’s good news, enabling us to grow and take on new adventures over what might be 50 years of work. 

The world may be more complicated than when I started out, but the pace of change is such that today’s 18-year-olds have potentially very exciting career prospects and lifestyle choices that my generation really didn’t have. 

Sign up to the Front Page newsletter for free: Your essential guide to the day's agenda from The Telegraph - direct to your inbox seven days a week.

VCU students walk out of commencement during Youngkin address

VCU students who walked out said they were demonstrating support for Palestinians and protesting some of the Republican governor’s crusade against efforts to promote racial equity in education.

RICHMOND — Dozens of Virginia Commonwealth University students walked out of their graduation ceremony Saturday morning as Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivered the commencement address, demonstrating support for Palestinians and protesting some of the Republican’s crusade against efforts to promote racial equity in education.

The selection of Youngkin as speaker drew criticism from some ahead of the ceremony. The university’s chapter of the NAACP this week urged VCU officials to rescind the invitation, and some students in recent days said they would hold a walkout during the ceremony.

College protests over Gaza war

On Saturday, attendees at the commencement were given cards congratulating the graduating class but warning that anyone who disrupted the ceremony was subject to removal.

As Youngkin began his speech, dozens of the graduates in attendance filed out of the Greater Richmond Convention Center, mostly in silence, some holding kaffiyeh scarves and signs aloft. “Teach Black history,” one read. “Book bans [do not equal] respect for learning,” read another.

The protest did not disrupt the program, though an initial burst of applause for the protesters briefly drowned out the governor’s speech. Youngkin pressed on with his address, which included a tribute to his late mother and an extended symphony metaphor.

“The world needs your music,” he said.

Spokesmen for VCU and the governor’s office declined to comment on the walkout.

More than 4,700 VCU students graduated this spring, about 3,000 of them undergraduates. It is a diverse student body, representing 40 countries. More than 900 were first-generation college students, VCU said ahead of the ceremony.

Adding to tensions on Saturday, the ceremony came about two weeks after police used pepper spray to disperse a crowd at a pro-Palestinian demonstration on VCU’s campus. Thirteen people, including six students, were arrested.

The event was among the demonstrations spreading on college campuses around the country, with more than 2,800 arrested as campus officials and protesters facing off in recent weeks. In Virginia, more than 80 people were arrested at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg , a dozen at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg and more than 25 at the University of Virginia .

VCU, in downtown Richmond just a mile west of the state Capitol, has a long tradition of hosting the sitting governor as commencement speaker. Terry McAuliffe (D) gave the address in 2015, as did Robert F. McDonnell (R) in 2011, Tim Kaine (D) in 2008, Mark R. Warner (D) in 2004, Jim Gilmore (R) in 1999 and George Allen (R) in 1997, according to the university.

The VCU chapter of the NAACP sent a letter to university President Michael Rao and the board of visitors Wednesday demanding that the university revoke the governor’s invitation to speak. “Since becoming Governor of Virginia, Youngkin has worked to intimidate and silence educators with anti-racist pedagogies,” the letter stated, citing a short-lived tip line for parents to report the teaching of “divisive concepts” and the reversal of protections for transgender youth.

Asked about the calls to cancel his appearance, Youngkin said Tuesday he hoped the focus would be on the students and their achievements. “I think that anyone who thinks they’re going to disrupt this for their own personal goals, I think it’s misguided,” Youngkin told reporters at an event in Richmond. “Let’s celebrate the students. Let’s honor the students.”

Opposition to Youngkin was due, in part, to the governor’s objections to a proposal to require VCU students to take a course in racial literacy. The school conceived the plan amid the racial reckoning that followed the 2020 murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and was still working to implement it when Youngkin raised concerns early this year.

In March, a Youngkin spokesman said the governor was concerned that such a mandate would promote leftist “groupthink.” “Virginia’s public institutions should be teaching our students how to think, not what to think and not advancing ideological conformity,” spokesman Christian Martinez told Virginia Public Media .

On Friday, VCU’s governing board voted against requiring the racial literacy course, but will still make some courses available for interested students.

“Central to the board’s deliberations was a commitment to upholding academic freedom while empowering students with flexibility and autonomy in their educational journey,” VCU said in a written statement after the vote. “The discussion clearly expressed support for the racial literacy classes, and these courses are accessible to students who wish to explore them.”

Outside the convention center, Taya Coates, a mass communications graduate, said she was on the fence about walking out until the students around her started to rise. She decided that she, too, wanted to stand against the governor, who she said didn’t reflect her values.

“It just doesn’t represent our university,” Coates, 23, said of Youngkin’s appearance. Around her, friends embraced and cried. Families cheered for their graduates, posing for photos and remarking about how proud they were of the display.

A smaller group of graduates joined a group of demonstrators outside the convention center. The group marched through the streets chanting “Free Palestine” until they reached Abner Clay Park, about a half mile from the commencement ceremony.

A handful of graduates, still in their caps and gowns, spoke about why they walked out.

Arrington Evans, a political science graduate and member of the NAACP at VCU, said the governor’s actions, particularly his opposition to equity initiatives in education, was in opposition to the kind of work she had been advocating for at VCU.

“This matters more to me, doing right by your classmates and the people in your community, than sitting there doing nothing,” Evans said. “Actions speak louder than words. And that’s what this was.”

In his speech, Youngkin did not acknowledge the protest or make any reference to the politically strife moment. He highlighted some members of the graduating class, including an immigrant from Uganda and another who had overcome cancer. Youngkin advised graduates to “make tomorrow better than today,” choose their “life partner” wisely and be slow to anger.

Before the walkout, Saturday’s graduation began like any other, with robed and smiling graduates waving to relatives and snapping selfies as they marched into the ceremony.

The ceremony wrapped in ordinary fashion two hours later, with black and gold balloons dropping from the ceiling and getting batted around like beach balls.

The walkout was for many a forgettable blip in an otherwise celebratory day. That was a relief to attendees who’d arrived wary of potential disruptions or even violence.

“I’m just hoping that doesn’t happen and we can be here and celebrate these graduates in peace,” LaKeyda Robinson, 45, of Alexandria, said as she watched her “firstborn niece,” Dhasia Allen, walk into the ceremony.

Marcos Chavez, a 54-year-old Bolivian immigrant who works as carpenter in Herndon, was not giving a thought to Gaza or Youngkin. For him, the day was all about his daughter, Natalia. Already the first person in the family to earn a college degree, on Saturday she graduated from VCU’s school of dentistry.

“Right now my focus is on my daughter,” he said. “That’s it.”