graduate school fellowships philosophy

• Skip to Main
• Master's Programs
• Ph.D. Programs
• Global & Online Programs
• Library and Information Science Dual - Degree Program
• Certificate Programs
• Application Resource Center
• Financial Aid
• Admissions Events
• Campus Tours
• Newly-Admitted Students
• Message from the GSAS Dean
• Academic Calendar
• Inter-University Doctoral Consortium
• Submitting Your Dissertation
• Fellowships and Awards
• Fellowships & Awards
• Alumni Features
• Public Humanities Initiative
• New Student Orientation
• GSAS Convocation
• The Master's College
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• OASA Room Reservations
• Graduate Student Council
• Graduate Student Clubs
• Student Resources
• Doctoral Alumni Association
• Senior Administration
• Dean's Office
• Policies and Procedures
• Directors of Graduate Studies & Program Directors
• Standing Committees
• History of GSAS
• Dean's Conference Room
• Administrative Resources
• Dean's Advisory Council
• Research in GSAS
• Give to GSAS
• NYU/Axinn Foundation Prize
• Event Calendar
• TELL GSAS Doctoral Research Days

Graduate School Fellowships and Assistantships

The Graduate School of Arts and Science offers an extensive program of funding support. Funding decisions, based solely on merit, are made by the departments with deaconal review.

Some of the sources of funding available through the University and the Graduate School are listed below.

• Doctoral Students
• Master's Students
• Federal, State, and Private Programs
• GSAS Tuition Incentive Program
• Dean's Fellowships

DOCTORAL STUDENTS

The henry m. maccracken program.

Henry Mitchell MacCracken, a professor of philosophy, served as the sixth chancellor of NYU. As chancellor, he established one of the first graduate schools of arts and science in the United States. He was committed to expanding the university’s schools and departments, improving academic standards and increasing enrollment. The GSAS doctoral fellowship program is named in honor of him and his visionary leadership.

The MacCracken Program provides multi-year full funding support to most new GSAS doctoral students [1] . The minimum MacCracken doctoral support package includes:

• A four- or five-year award term.
• A scholarship for full tuition and registration and services fees for courses required for the degree.
• Full coverage of the premiums for mandatory NYU student health insurance for an individual under the NYU comprehensive plan.
• A nine-month academic-year stipend for living expenses. Some departments offer either a stipend or research assistantship.
• A one-time Dean’s Supplementary Fellowship Grant of $1,000 that may be used at the student’s discretion.

A number of these awards are enhanced by the department with other features; please review your department’s web page for more information about their MacCracken package. Students who receive funding from an external agency also are awarded the MacCracken award, if necessary, to insure they receive an award package with full funding.

Many departments offer their students the opportunity to teach as an adjunct instructor during the course of their studies. If students teach, the compensation is in addition to the MacCracken fellowship package, and not a part of it.

New and continuing students may find the following materials useful:

• MacCracken Housing Program for Doctoral Students
• MacCracken Program Reserve Application and FAQ
• Other Graduate Student Fellowships

MASTER’S STUDENTS

Funding for master's programs.

Financial aid is available in certain master's departments and programs. Please refer to the web page of your department or program of interest. Applicants should submit the admissions application by the program’s specified deadline date . No additional application forms are required for consideration for scholarships or fellowships in GSAS.

In addition, master’s students are eligible for awards through the Graduate School's Tuition Incentive Program . For more specific information regarding eligibility and the availability of fellowships, applicants should contact the director of graduate studies in the department or program, or contact Graduate Enrollment Services .

Other GSAS programs of interest to master’s students are:

• GSAS Tuition Assistance Program for School Teachers
• GSAS Resources for Military Veterans and Members

Funding for International Students

To secure a visa, international students must demonstrate that they have sufficient funding to complete the degree. International students who apply by the specified deadline and are admitted to the Graduate School are automatically considered for Graduate School fellowships and scholarships.

Most loan programs are restricted to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. International students may apply for these domestic loan programs, however, with a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States. In addition, New York University works with a variety of lenders to provide loan programs specifically tailored to the needs of international students. Visit our website frequently for the latest news on international student financing opportunities.

Many international students obtain support for their educational expenses from their governments, foundations, or private agencies. In many cases, these students are eligible to receive matching tuition funds through the Graduate School’s Tuition Incentive Program .  

FEDERAL, STATE, AND PRIVATE PROGRAMS

For a description of all federal, state, and private loan and grant programs, as well as employment, veteran's benefits and NYU payment policies, refer to Financing Graduate Education .  

THE GRADUATE SCHOOL'S TUITION INCENTIVE PROGRAM (TIP)

GSAS encourages students to apply for external assistance and provides tuition support to recipients of external awards. Students receiving external awards of $13,000 or more from recognized, academic sources of funding outside of the University can apply for matching tuition points up to the amount of their outside award. Students receiving external awards of less than $13,000 may apply for matching tuition points up to 50 percent of the amount of the external award. 

Requirements and Important Information

Students must be enrolled in a Ph.D. or master's program in an eligible program in GSAS. A list of participating programs is shown on the next page. (Please note: students funded through the MacCracken program are not eligible for TIP.)  Students must be registered for at least six points per semester.  Students are only eligible for tuition points that meet (and do not exceed) the requirements of their degree program as published in the GSAS Bulletin. Students are only eligible to receive funds during the time stated on their award letter from the granting program.

Requests must be received in Graduate Enrollment Services by August 31 of the award year. Late requests will be considered if funds are available.  If there is a remaining amount of funds available after your tuition has been covered for the time frame stated on your award letter, students are not eligible to roll over that amount to an additional year.  Please review this documents to find additional information about TIP eligibility and terms of the award (Adobe Acrobat Reader required). Visit the TIP application and instructions for 2024-25 .

Most external fellowship application deadlines are due in the fall, and funding begins the following fall. If you are interested in securing an external scholarship or fellowship for tuition funding be sure to apply at the same time you are applying for your graduate program . A database with tuition-based scholarships and fellowships for graduate students can be found here: https://apps.grad.illinois.edu/fellowship-finder/ . Please note that GSAS is unable to assist you with external fellowship applications.

• 1127 Foundation
• The American-Scandinavian Foundation
• The Amherst Memorial Fellowship
• The Beinecke Scholarship Program
• Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)
• Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Techologia (CONACYT)
• Council for the Advancement of Science Writing
• Deadline Club
• Department for the Scholarship of Gifted Students of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation
• Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
• Fadel Educational Foundation
• Foreign Press Association Scholarship Fund
• Fundacio Sunol
• Gates Millennium Scholarship
• International Institute of Islamic Thought
• Jewish Federations of North America
• The Kwanjeong Educational Foundation
• Manhattan Sephardic Congregation
• New York Financial Writers' Association
• New York Women in Communication
• Qingdao Rainshine Science & Tech Co.
• R.K. Global Shares and Securities Ltd.
• The Scholarships Foundation
• Segal Americorps Education Award
• The Tibet Fund
• UJA - Federation Scholarship
• Universidad Anahuac
• Wexner Foundation

The alphabetical list below is a representative survey of free scholarship search services and related information. New York University is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, any of the organizations included in this sample.

• College Scholarships.org
• College Scholarships.com
• College ToolKit.com
• Illinois Database of Grants and Fellowships for Graduate Students
• NerdScholar
• PathwaysToScience.org
• Peterson's Scholarship Search
• Scholarship Experts.com
• Scholarships.com
• Scholarships360.org
• Smart Scholar
• U.S. Department of Education

DEANS FELLOWSHIPS

The Graduate School encourages applications from individuals whose academic research experience and plans will contribute significantly to equity, inclusion, and as well as academic excellence at the Graduate School. Our Dean's Fellowships provide a limited number of awards to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who apply for fall admission to many of our master’s and doctoral programs. 

Research Grants

(January 26, 2024) -- The Daland Fellowship program is accepting applications through March 15, 2024 .

In 2022–2023 the Society awarded nearly $2 million to over 200 scholars, and we expect to continue this level of support in 2023–2024. We maintain fifteen grant or fellowship programs in a wide range of fields. Our Blumberg Grants in Astrobiology, Franklin Research Grant, Lewis and Clark Fund, Lewis and Clark Fund in Astrobiology, Library David Center Fellowship, Library Digital Humanities Fellowship, Library Digital Knowledge Sharing Fellowship, Library Short-Term Fellowship, Library NASI Undergraduate Internship, and Phillips Fund for Native American Research programs award small amounts ($1,000 to $6,000) for modest research purposes. Our Daland Fellowship in Clinical Investigation, John Hope Franklin Dissertation Fellowship, Library Long-Term Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Library Long-Term Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, and Mellon Curatorial Post-Doctoral Fellowship programs award much larger amounts ($28,000 to $60,000) in highly selective competitions.

Awards are made for noncommercial research only. The APS makes no grants for academic study or classroom presentation, travel to conferences, non-scholarly projects, assistance with translation, or the preparation of materials for use by students. The APS does not pay overhead or indirect costs to any institution or publication costs, and grant funds are not to be used to pay income tax on the award.

Please visit the Fellowships portion of our website for information on resident Library and Museum Fellowships.

Daland Fellowships in Clinical Investigation

Franklin research grants, john hope franklin dissertation fellowship, lewis and clark fund for exploration and field research, lewis and clark fund for exploration and field research in astrobiology, baruch blumberg grants in astrobiology, phillips fund for native american research, who is eligible.

Applicants may be U.S. citizens and residents of the United States or American citizens resident abroad. Foreign nationals not affiliated with a U.S. institution are eligible to apply for projects to be carried out in the United States, although applicants to the Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology must be U.S. citizens, U.S. residents, or foreign nationals formally affiliated with a U.S. institution. For the Franklin, Lewis and Clark, Phillips Fund, Daland and John Hope Franklin programs, foreign nationals affiliated with a U.S. institution are eligible to apply to carry out research anywhere in the world. Grant recipients may reapply after an interval of two years (for example, if you applied in 2021 for work in 2022, you are eligible to apply again in 2023 for work in 2024).

Grants are made to individuals. Institutions are not eligible to apply.

The American Philosophical Society is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly excellence while supporting a working and intellectual environment that fosters an inclusive atmosphere for learning, prizes diverse origins and points of view, advances equal opportunities to learn and communicate, and encourages the widest possible access to its collections. The APS has titled these goals the APS IDEA (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equality, and Access) for its enduring institutional commitment to these values.

See specific programs for additional information.

The deadlines for the following programs are RECEIPT  deadlines for all materials, including letters of support, unless otherwise noted. If the posted deadline falls on a weekend or a holiday, the deadline is the following business day.

• Blumberg Grants in Astrobiology : TBD
• Daland Fellowships : March 15; notification in early May
• Franklin Research Grants : October 1 and December 1; notification in January and March 
• Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research : November 15 for applications, November 10 for letters of support; notification in April
• Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology : November 1; notification in March
• Phillips Fund Grants : March 1; notification in May 

Online and Electronic Transmission

Submission of applications through our online portal is required for the Franklin Research Grants, the Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research Grants, and the Phillips Fund for Native American Research Grants.

Electronic submission is encouraged for the Baruch Blumberg Grants in Astrobiology and the Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology. Completed forms and letters of support should be attached to an email. Applications should be submitted to [email protected] and letters should be sent to [email protected] . Attached documents must be compatible with Microsoft Word for Windows software. Our system does not always receive Mac, jpeg, tiff, rtf, and dat files.

Applications to the Daland Fellowship program are to be submitted as hard copy in the required number. Letters of reference may be sent to [email protected] .

Tax Information

Grants and fellowships are taxable income, but the APS is not required to report payments. It is recommended that grant and fellowship recipients discuss their reporting obligations with their tax advisors. Grant money cannot be used to pay income tax.

Questions concerning the DALAND, FRANKLIN, LEWIS AND CLARK, and PHILLIPS programs should be directed to Linda Musumeci, Director of Grants and Fellowships, at lm [email protected] or 215-440-3429.

Questions concerning PRIZES should be directed to Nora Monroe at [email protected] or 215-440-3430.

Questions concerning all LIBRARY Fellowships should be directed to Adrianna Link at [email protected] or 215-440-3415.

Questions concerning all MELLON Curatorial Fellowships should be directed to Magdalena Hoot at [email protected] or 215-440-3442. 

Quick links

• Make a Gift
• Directories

Graduate Funding

Department funding packages.

Our current funding package consists of 50% FTE Academic Student Employee (ASE) appointments (mostly Teaching Assistant positions) for the first five academic years of the program (Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters). All department funding is contingent upon continued satisfactory academic progress.

See TA/RA/SA Employment Information for details on ASE appointments.

Note: While we only guarantee department funding for the first five years in the program, it is our current practice to do our best to maintain financial support to all of our students who are in good standing.

Fellowship Quarter

We do our best to provide first year students with one quarter of fellowship funding (a quarter off from teaching) in order to focus more deeply on research. This funding is dependent upon available department resources.

In recent years we have been able to provide incoming students with a small moving stipend in the first year, and summer stipends in the first two summers, contingent upon satisfactory academic progress. This funding is dependent upon available department resources.

Teaching Assistant

Most department funding comes in the form of Teaching Assistantships. TAs are an integral part of our undergraduate teaching in the department and our graduate students get a broad range of experience teaching multiple subfields of philosophy. Teaching assistants work with the faculty, attend lectures, lead discussion sections, hold office hours, and grade weekly assignments, essays, and exams.

Research Assistant

The department currently has a few Research Assistant positions. These include:

Program on Ethics Research Assistant – The Program on Ethics typically hires one RA per year in order to provide administrative assistance, outreach and event planning, as well as research assistance for the Program Director and core faculty. Graduate Students beyond the 2 nd year are eligible to apply for this position.

Managing Editor of Philosophy of Science – The PHOS RA works with Editor-in-Chief, Andrea Woody, to handle various administrative duties for the journal Philosophy of Science .

Neuroethics Research Assistant – Neuroethics RAs report to the Neuroethics Thrust Lead, Sara Goering, and work closely with her and with scientists at the Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering (CSNE) on neuroethics-related projects.

Summer Teaching

Students who are Ph.D. candidates and are eligible to teach their own courses may be able to teach during summer quarter. Teaching a course during summer quarter does not count as part of a guaranteed funding package. Many factors go into assigning summer teaching positions. Satisfactory progress and teaching performance are important considerations for these positions, as are the number of positions available, whether the student has exhausted funding eligibility, the length of time the student has been in the program, the kinds of courses offered during that term, and the kinds of courses a particular student is prepared to teach. Summer teaching is run by the Summer Programs office and courses run based on enrollment.

Hourly Student Appointments

In some instances, graduate students may be hired for other employment on an hourly basis. Pay rates for hourly work depend on the nature of the work, and as of January 2021 range from $16.69 to $32.21/hour.

Writing Center Supervisor

The Department typically hires one graduate student each academic year to serve as the supervisor of the Philosophy Writing Center. The Writing Center Supervisor oversees the running of the writing center, supervising and scheduling undergraduate tutors and covering some tutoring shifts themselves. This is a part-time hourly position usually held in addition to a TAship.

Travel Funding

The Department has some funds available for graduate student travel to conferences, and is able to apply for travel funding from the Graduate School on behalf of students. See the Department Graduate Student Travel policy for information on eligibility and procedures.

Students may also apply for travel funding from the Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS). See GPSS Funding Opportunities for more details.

Melvin Rader Summer Grants for Innovative Philosophical Projects

Thanks to generous support from the Melvin Rader fund, the philosophy department is sometimes able to offer a competitive program to distribute small summer grants to advanced philosophy graduate students (3 rd year and beyond). These grants, for up to $2,000, help fund innovative philosophical projects that contribute to the student’s scholarship, teaching, and/or professional development. Projects that are related to the student’s dissertation topic are encouraged. This funding is dependent upon available department resources.

Non-Departmental Funding

Fellowships & scholarships.

In addition to support from the Department of Philosophy, our graduate students frequently make use of a variety of external fellowship and employment opportunities from across campus as well as national and international competitive fellowships.

• Philosophy for Children Graduate Fellowships – Several of our graduate students participate in this affiliate program.
• The Graduate School List of Fellowships – The Graduate School provides its own fellowships and administers several external national fellowships as well. The list also includes other fellowships for graduate students that are not administered by the Graduate School.
• GO-MAP Diversity Fellowships – This is a subset of the Graduate School’s fellowship list and includes information on fellowships intended to support underrepresented minority graduate students who show evidence of strong academic achievement in the face of social, economic, and/or educational disadvantages. Many of these require departmental nomination.
• College of Arts & Sciences Humanities Scholarships – The Dean’s Office at the College of Arts & Sciences administers several humanities scholarships. Philosophy students have recently been awarded Alvord Endowed Fellowships in the Humanities as well as Fritz/Hunter/Macfarlane Humanities Scholarships. These fellowships require departmental nomination.
• Simpson Center for the Humanities – The Simpson Center is an excellent source of Humanities funding for a variety of projects.
• GFIS – The Graduate Funding Information Service (GFIS), based in the Allen Library Research Commons, provides information for funding beyond campus as well. Besides their blog, their resources include funding databases (personal consultations are available for help with using the databases).

Teaching & Other Employment

• Instructor positions at the Robinson Center for Young Scholars
• Graduate student employment in other UW departments – From time to time other Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, or Staff Assistant positions for graduate students may be available in other academic departments, administrative offices, or even the University Press. Keep abreast of current opportunities by following the Graduate Funding Information Service (GFIS) Blog (subscribe for email updates) and checking the UW jobs page, UWHires (search for category “Academic Student Employee”).
• Teaching Outside the UW – Advanced PhD candidates who are beyond their funding packages and/or are seeking additional teaching experience may also consider seeking employment at other Seattle-area institutions such as Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, and Seattle Colleges (Central, North, South, SVI).
• Off-Campus Employment – Some graduate students seek non-academic job experience while completing their dissertations. The Department and the Career & Internship Center have resources available to help in a non-academic job search.

Financial Aid

You might also explore UW Student Financial Aid for additional options.

Emergency Aid

Emergency Aid assists students who are experiencing unexpected financial hardships that may disrupt their education or prevent them from earning their UW degree.

•   Twitter
•   YouTube
•   Facebook
•   Newsletter
•   More ways to connect

Share this page

As a PhD student in the Harvard philosophy program, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your ideas, knowledge, and abilities. You'll work with other doctoral students, our faculty, and visiting scholars, all in a stimulating and supportive environment. The program has strengths across a broad range of topics and areas, so you'll be able to pursue your interests wherever they may lead, especially in moral and political philosophy, aesthetics, epistemology, philosophy of logic, philosophy of language, the history of analytic philosophy, ancient philosophy, Immanuel Kant, and Ludwig Wittgenstein. In addition, students can pursue joint degrees with classics, Harvard Law School, and in Indian philosophy.

Incoming cohorts consist of five to eight students per year. You will have substantial access to our renowned faculty and all the resources that Harvard makes available. This relatively small size also gives students a sense of intellectual community.

The curriculum is structured to help you make your way towards a dissertation: graduate-level coursework, a second-year research paper, a prospectus to help you identify a dissertation topic, and then the dissertation itself. Past dissertations in the department have addressed a broad range of topics: Aristotle, Kant, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau; contemporary moral and political philosophy; metaphysics; epistemology; and logic.

In addition to your research, you will also have the opportunity to develop your teaching skills in many different settings across the University.

You can find graduates of the PhD program in many universities. Some of our students have gone on to faculty positions at Yale University, Princeton University, Brown University, and Stanford University. Other graduates have gone on to diverse careers in, among others, the arts, the law, secondary education, and technology.

In addition to the standard PhD in philosophy, the department offers a PhD in classical philosophy in collaboration with the Department of the Classics and a coordinated JD/PhD program in conjunction with Harvard Law School.

Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Department of Philosophy and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies .

Areas of Study

Philosophy | Classical Philosophy | Indian Philosophy 

For information please consult the Department webpage on the  graduate program overview .

Admissions Requirements

Please review admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Department of Philosophy .

Academic Background

Applicants to the program in Philosophy are required to have a solid undergraduate background in philosophy, indicating that they have a good grounding in the history of philosophy, as well as familiarity with contemporary work in ethics, epistemology and metaphysics, and logic.

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Optional

Writing Sample

A writing sample is required as part of the application and should be between 12 to 30 pages long. The sample must address a substantial philosophical problem, whether it is an evaluation or presentation of an argument, or a serious attempt to interpret a difficult text. The upload of the writing sample should be formatted for 8.5-inch x 11-inch paper, 1-inch margins, with double-spaced text in a common 12-point font, such as Times New Roman.

Applicants seeking admission to the coordinated JD/PhD program must apply to and be separately admitted to Harvard Law School and the Department of Philosophy.

Theses & Dissertations

Theses & Dissertations for Philosophy

See list of Philosophy faculty

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Questions about the program.

• University of Pennsylvania
• School of Arts and Sciences
• Penn Calendar

University of Pennsylvania Philosophy

Doctoral Support: Fellowship and Funding

The Graduate Division guarantees a five-year fellowship package for all first-year matriculants to the doctoral program in philosophy, which includes tuition remission, paid health insurance, and a stipend . Since 2005, Penn has increased the minimum stipend for Ph.D. students by an average of 3.7 percent each year, with higher increases over the past four years (4 percent or more). Beginning in the 2023-24 academic year, doctoral students in Philosophy will be offered a stipend of at least $38,000.

First and fourth year students have no teaching duties, but it is customary for first year students to help with the departmental library and the colloquium series. Second and third year students serve as teaching fellows. Fifth year students teach during one semester. Continuation of the package beyond the first year assumes good academic progress. Teaching in second and third years normally consists of serving as teaching assistants; teaching in year five usually involves sole-responsibility teaching (typically a seminar class of 25 students). Limited competitive fellowships and some teaching assignments are available in the sixth year. The package is adjusted for combined degree programs.

Medical and Dental Care

Penn offers a benefits-rich health insurance package to fully funded Ph.D. students. It provides comprehensive coverage, including an unlimited lifetime maximum benefit, prescription coverage, treatment for mental illness and substance abuse, comprehensive infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) coverage, and no maximum amount limit on gender confirmation surgery. Students also receive discounted gym memberships through  Husk  (previously called GlobalFit).

Insurance Grants for Ph.D. Students

Penn has committed over $1 million in annual funding for need-based grants to Ph.D. students in good standing to help defray the costs of extended health insurance, as well as optional dental insurance. For more information, including on the application process and deadlines, visit the  Insurance Grants website .

Research, Summer, Travel, and Conference Support

The Department and University support the development of needed skills and provide some funds for Summer research and conference travel. French and German for reading knowledge and intensive Latin and Greek courses are available at Penn during the Summer. The Department can offer limited support for further language training and other research experiences.

For students making conference presentations, the Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences (GDAS) and the Graduate Student Associations Council (GSAC) provide some travel funds. For advanced doctoral students, Summer teaching can provide valuable experience as well as a stipend. Finally, Penn participates in an exchange agreement with the Free Univeristy in Berlin, and doctoral students may apply for a year in Berlin on a competitive basis.

Advising & Mentoring Ph.D. Students

Responding to student requests for more clarification about advising expectations, the University developed a uniform guide for students and faculty on Advising & Mentoring Ph.D. Students. A link to the guide is available  here .

Fellowships

Penn provides a number of fellowships to further support student research and travel.

Presidential Ph.D. Fellowships

The President’s Ph.D. Initiative supports Presidential Ph.D. Fellows receive a competitive funding package, which includes $10,000 in research funds for three years. For more details, see the  President’s Ph.D. Initiative website .

Fontaine Fellowships

Fontaine Fellowships  support the academic development of PhD   students, and are awarded to students whose background, research and experience demonstrate both the interest and capacity to enhance a broadly diverse and inclusive learning community.

Provost’s Graduate Academic Engagement Fellowship

Graduate Academic Engagement Fellows are outstanding students whose scholarship significantly involves Academically Based Community Service (ABCS) and related activities, including locally based community problem-solving, engaged scholarship, service learning, and learning by teaching in public schools. For more information about the fellowship and how to apply, see the  Netter Center website .

Expanded GAPSA-Provost Fellowship for Interdisciplinary Innovation

The Office of the Provost and GAPSA have together increased financial commitment to enable significant expansion of the GAPSA-Provost Fellowship for Interdisciplinary Innovation, providing funding for more students and for application during any or all semesters. For more information about this fellowship, visit the  GAPSA website .

The President Gutmann Leadership Award

The Office of the President generously provides additional funding to augment GAPSA’s programs for graduate student travel. The award is given to students presenting their research at a conference (either within the United States or internationally) that would normally be out of their budget, even with an individual travel grant through GAPSA. For more information, visit the  GAPSA website .

Ph.D. Leave of Absence Policy

The Ph.D. Student Leave of Absence policy allows Ph.D. students to take a leave of absence for military duty, medical reasons, or  family leave . Military, medical, and family leave “stops the clock” on time to completion. Personal leave for other reasons may be granted with the approval of the Graduate Group Chair in consultation with the Graduate Dean of the student’s school, but does not, absent exceptional circumstances, “stop the clock” on time to completion.

Ph.D. students whose funding includes health insurance coverage will receive one full semester of Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP) coverage while on medical or family leave. Students can petition for a second semester of coverage. Additional information about the Ph.D. Student Leave of Absence Policy can be found  here .

For more information about doctoral support at Penn, please visit:  https://valuing-grad-students.upenn.edu/student-support

Center for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Graduate fellowship.

PPE Center Fellows Program

• Fellowships

The Center for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics seeks graduate fellowship applications from Brown University doctoral students writing and researching topics at the intersection of philosophy, politics, and economics. The Fellows Program consists of postdoctoral, undergraduate, and graduate fellows. 

The Center will host two Brown doctoral students working in the humanities and social sciences for a year-long research fellowship. Candidates’ work should cover two or more of the primary areas of philosophy, politics, and economics.

Recipients of the fellowship will receive office space at the Center, located at 25 George Street, a travel/research supplement of $1000, and participate in a year-long by-weekly work-in-progress Fellows Seminar over lunch where they will have an opportunity to present their research to the community of fellows. 

To be eligible, students must have advanced to candidacy by the start of the fellowship and be on a fellowship year as provided by the graduate school.

Applications for next year are Due April 25, 2024

Applications Must Include:

• A 250-500 word abstract of your dissertation project
• A statement, in no more than 1,000 words, outlining your schedule of progress and completion for the dissertation, addressing how your research crosses at least two of the three constituent fields, and explaining how you will benefit from and contribute to a collective seminar experience among scholars in PPE
• A copy of your CV
• A short writing sample of 10-20 pages
• Letter of Recommendation from Dissertation Committee Chair
• Support from DGS

You can find the application using  this  form.

• Utility Menu

• Department Intranet

Program Overview

The Department of Philosophy offers programs covering a wide range of fields in philosophy. The department’s graduate program is primarily a PhD program. In addition to the standard PhD in Philosophy, the department offers a PhD in Classical Philosophy in collaboration with the Department of the Classics, a PhD in Indian Philosophy in collaboration with the Department of South Asian Studies, and a joint JD/PhD program in conjunction with the Harvard Law School. Below you will find a list of the requirements for each program. The department does not admit applicants who wish to study only for the master’s (AM) degree. The AM may be taken as a step toward the PhD after a minimum of two terms in residence.

PhD in Philosophy

Graduate advising.

The department’s arrangement for advising students is structured to correspond to four stages of a student’s progress toward the PhD. These stages include the first year, the second-year paper, reading and research toward a dissertation topic, and work on the dissertation.

• The director of graduate studies is assigned as an advisor to all first-year students and continues to meet with all students at the beginning of each term and sign their study cards throughout their time in the program. Their advising role is particularly important during the coursework stage (generally through the second year), because they have principal responsibility for monitoring the student’s progress toward fulfilling the general requirements for the degree: the preliminary requirement, and the distribution requirement. In addition, each first-year student is assigned an informal faculty advisor.
• At the end of the first year, students should arrange with a member of the faculty to supervise the student’s second-year paper. That faculty member will be the student’s advisor during the second year. If necessary, the director of graduate studies is available to assist a student in finding a suitable faculty member.
• At the beginning of the third year, after the second year paper is completed, a student arranges for a faculty member to be their advisor during the process of exploring areas for a possible dissertation and formulating a topic and a prospectus. This advisor may be the same person as the second-year paper advisor but need not be. Normally, a student will continue with this advisor until the topical examination, but change is possible by arrangement among the parties involved.
• When a prospectus is well along, the student should discuss the formation of a dissertation committee with the advisor, the director of graduate studies, and possible committee members.  Normally, this committee has three members, two of whom must be Harvard faculty as members; however, the committee may consist of only two members at the time of the topical examination.  Committees may have a fourth member, who may be, with permission of the DGS, a faculty member in another Harvard department or at another institution. This committee conducts the topical examination and, after a successful topical, will continue supervising the student’s work on the dissertation. Normally it conducts the dissertation defense when the dissertation is completed.
• During work on the dissertation, change is possible by arrangement with the parties involved and with the approval of the director of graduate studies. At this stage, one member of the committee will be designated as the student’s advisor. The significance of this will vary as the supervision of dissertations is more collective in philosophy, for example, than in many other fields. In some cases, the advisor will be the principal supervisor, in others the role of the committee members will be close to equal and the choice of one advisor is a matter of convenience.

Preliminary Requirement

Candidates must pass at least twelve approved philosophy courses or seminars. The norm is that these course are completed during the first four terms in the department. Courses numbered 301 or above do not count toward this preliminary requirement, save that the two required terms of Philosophy 300, the First Year Colloquium, may be counted as two of the twelve. Independent Studies (Philosophy 305) may also be used to satisfy distribution requirements but not the preliminary requirement with the prior approval of the DGS. For a letter-graded course philosophy course to be considered satisfactory, the candidate’s grade in the course must be B or higher.  The average grade for all letter-graded philosophy courses taken during the candidate’s time in the program must be at least B+.

Courses taken to meet the preliminary requirement must be approved in advance by the department’s director of graduate studies. Students must take and complete Philosophy 300a plus two letter-graded courses or seminars during their first term and Philosophy 300b plus three letter-graded courses or seminars more in their second term, thus completing five letter-graded courses during the first two terms of residence.

These courses, like the rest of the twelve, should be among those designated “For Undergraduates and Graduates” or “Primarily for Graduates” in the course catalogue. At least ten of the courses must be taught by members of the Department of Philosophy (including visiting and emeritus members). This requirement can be modified for students specializing in Classical or Indian Philosophy.

All graduate students must complete two semesters of the Pedagogy seminar, Philosophy 315hf. Normally this is done during a student's third year in the program, when students begin functioning as teaching fellows. Exceptions to taking 315hf in the third year must be approved in advance by the DGS.

Students who have done graduate work elsewhere may petition the DGS to obtain credit for up to three courses, which may be counted toward the preliminary requirement. If they are in philosophy (as would normally be the case), such courses will be regarded as equivalent to those taught by members of the department.

Distribution Requirement

This requirement, intended to ensure a broad background in philosophy, is met by completing eight distribution units of work, normally before the beginning of the fourth year of graduate study. A distribution unit may be fulfilled (i) by completing an approved course or seminar (which may also be counted toward the preliminary requirement), or (ii) by writing a paper under the guidance of a faculty member, with the approval of the director of graduate studies. In the latter case the work does not count toward the preliminary requirement.

The units are to be distributed as follows:

• Contemporary Theoretical Philosophy: Three units in core areas of twentieth- and twenty-first century metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, philosophy of mathematics, and the like.
• Practical Philosophy: Two units in contemporary or historical ethics, political philosophy, aesthetics, and the like.
• History of Philosophy: The distribution requirement in history is intended to assure that students have knowledge of the philosophical tradition out of which contemporary Anglo-American philosophy has grown, as well as an ability to work though texts whose philosophical presuppositions are different enough from those of contemporary Anglo-American philosophy that careful historical and philosophical analysis is required to bring them to light.

Three sorts of courses satisfy the requirement:   A. Courses in ancient Greek, Roman, or medieval philosophy.   B. Courses in early modern European philosophy up to and including Kant.   C. Courses on the foundations of philosophical traditions other than contemporary Anglo-American philosophy. These might include courses on traditional South Asian or East Asian philosophy, 19th century Continental European philosophy, early 20th century work of Heidegger, and so on.   A student must take three history courses to satisfy the requirement; at most one of these may be in practical philosophy. Save in the most exceptional circumstances (and with the approval of the DGS), at least one of these courses must be of category A and at least one must be of category B. Students should verify (with the DGS) in advance of taking a course to satisfy the requirement that the course will in fact satisfy it.

The First-Year Colloquium (Philosophy 300a and 300b) may not be used to fulfill any part of the distribution requirement. Philosophy 299hf, the second-year paper, may be used to fulfill a distribution requirement.

Logic Requirement

Candidates for the Ph.D. are expected to have mastered the fundamentals of logic and to have an understanding of the elements of logic’s metatheory. Normally, this requirement is satisfied by successfully completing one of the Department’s 100-level courses in logic: 140 (Introduction to Mathematical Logic), 144 (Logic and Philosophy), or 145 (Modal Logic). It can also be satisfied by taking an appropriate mathematics course (for example, Mathematics 143, 144a, or 145b). The requirement may also be satisfied by an examination set by the DGS in consultation with appropriate Department members or by serving as a TF in a Department logic course.

Second-Year Paper

Students are required at the end of their second year in residence to submit a paper whose length is between 7,500 and 12,000 words including footnotes.

The expectation is not that the second-year paper should constitute a kind of Master’s Thesis; a better model is that of a journal article: i.e., an essay that sets out a focused philosophical problem, articulates its significance, and makes a significant contribution rather than a mere intervention. Given this goal, the second-year paper may under no circumstances be over 12,000 words, and generally will be significantly shorter. Students must annotate the paper with an accurate word count.

By the end of the first year, students need to have a faculty advisor who will supervise the second year paper. Together the advisor and advisee will write a plan of study for the summer and the first term of the second year, and submit it to the DGS. This plan of study will specify a schedule for submitting work and receiving feedback, and will also specify a benchmark to be met before the beginning of the second semester.

A preliminary draft of the second-year paper is to be submitted by the end of the spring vacation of the second semester, and a final draft is due by June 1st. Under extraordinary circumstances and with the written approval of both advisor and the DGS, the final version of the paper may be submitted after June 1st, but no later than August 1st.

Once the second-year paper is submitted to the advisor, the advisor forwards the paper to the DGS, who selects a faculty member to act as the paper’s reader. The author, advisor, and reader meet in a timely manner to discuss the paper, after which the examiner in consultation with the advisor awards the paper a grade. This grade will be recorded as the student’s grade for their two semesters of 299hf.

Normally, a student is not allowed to participate in a dissertation workshop until they have submitted their second-year paper.

The Third Year

In a successful third year, graduate students do two things: they acquire pedagogical skills and confidence as teachers; they make enough progress on isolating a dissertation topic that they are able, at the end of that year or by the end of the first term of the fourth year, to write a prospectus and have a successful topical exam.

Normally, at the end of a student's second year, the student's 2YP advisor and the DGS consult and then assign a pre-prospective advisor to the student. The pre-prospectus advisor need not, and often will not, be someone who specializes in the area in which a student expects to write a dissertation. Rather, the advisor is someone with whom the student is comfortable discussing philosophy and who can advise about directions of research. In many cases the pre-prospectus advisor may be the 2YP advisor, since the student has formed a working relationship with that faculty member.

The student and pre-prospectus advisor should meet before the end of spring exams. The meeting's purpose is to discuss the student's general area(s) of interest for a dissertation and, if the student is ready, to devise a tentative list of articles or books which the student will read and reflect on over the next twelve months.

G3s meet with their pre-prospectus advisor in the first days of the fall term. The aim of this meeting is to give the student a manageable set of concrete tasks to complete toward settling on a prospectus topic. In this meeting, advisor and student should decide on: a collection of at least six articles or book chapters to discuss at meetings; a schedule for meetings during the fall (the norm being a meeting roughly every two weeks); the written work the student commits to doing in advance of each meeting. This work need not be elaborate --it might, for example, be a few pages of critical summary and discussion of the reading for the meeting.

Until a successful defense of a prospectus, students register of that section of Philosophy 333 associated with their pre-prospectus advisor.

The norm is that in the fall term of year 3 students do research in the area in which they expect to write so that they can fashion a fairly specific topic for the prospectus; spring term is then devoted to writing a prospectus. Students normally aim at having a prospectus and a topical before the beginning of classes in the fourth year; the expectation is that students have done a topical by the end of the first term of their fourth year.

Students who have completed their second year paper are required to enroll each term in one of the two dissertation workshops, Philosophy 311, Workshop in Moral and Political Philosophy or Philosophy 312, Workshop in Metaphysics and Epistemology. In an academic year in which a student is actively seeking post Ph.D. employment, they are not required to enroll in a workshop.

This a requirement for the Ph.D.; it is only in unusual personal circumstances that students may fail to enroll in a workshop. Permission not to enroll in a Workshop must be granted by the director of graduate studies. G3s are not required to present more than once a year in a workshop, and it is understood that their presentations may consist of such things as (constrained) literature reviews, overviews of the particular area in a sub-discipline, or drafts or presentations of a prospectus.

Prospectus and Topical Examination

When the prospectus is complete, a candidate must pass an oral topical examination on the prospectus. The examining committee consists of at least two Philosophy Department faculty members. If the topical examination is not passed, it must be taken again and passed by the beginning of the winter recess in the year immediately following. Normally students have a successful topical by the end of their fourth year in the program.

Requirements for a prospectus are set by a student's dissertation committee and may vary with committee membership. That said, in many cases a good default model for a prospectus will simply be a list of clear, straightforward answers to the following five questions: (1) What question(s) do you intend your dissertation to answer? (2) Why do you consider these questions to be important? (3) What is a good summary of what you consider to be the most important contributions to these questions in the literature? (4) Why, in your view, do these contributions leave more work to be done? (5) What is your tentative plan of attack (including a list of sources you anticipate using)? Think of your answers to these questions as building a case for why your dissertation project needs to be done , along with a sketch of how you in particular plan to do it. Finally, limit yourself to about 5000 words.

Although called an examination, a topical (which is approximately ninety minutes in length) is in fact a conference on the dissertation topic, not an occasion on which the candidate is expected to produce a complete outline of arguments and conclusions. The conference is intended to determine the acceptability of the topic on which the candidate wishes to write a dissertation, the candidate’s fitness to undertake such a dissertation, and the candidate’s command of relevant issues in related areas of philosophy. A dissertation on the proposed topic may be submitted only if the topical examination is passed.

Application to take the topical examination must be made to the director of graduate studies at least two weeks in advance. At the same time, the candidate must submit copies of a dissertation prospectus to the director of graduate studies and members of the student’s prospective committee.

Financial Support, Travel and Research Funding, and Teaching

Beyond tuition remission, Ph.D. students receive the following financial support from the Graduate School.

· A stipend for their first two years. During this period, students do not teach.

· Financial support via guaranteed teaching in the third and fourth year . During this period, students are hired as teaching fellows; the normal workload for a teaching fellow is two sections a term.

· A dissertation completion fellowship. This includes a full stipend for one academic year.

In addition, various university fellowships (for example: Term Time and Merit Fellowships, Fellowships at the Safra Center) are available on a competitive basis.

The Department also grants each Philosophy graduate student one academic term of stipend support through Philosophy Department Fellowships and also a total of $5500 in fellowships for professional development. For details see: Funding | Department of Philosophy (harvard.edu)

Dissertation and Dissertation Defense

Once the topical exam is passed, the examining committee (which must consist of at least two faculty members of the Philosophy Department) normally becomes the dissertation advisory committee.  One member of the committee is the dissertation’s primary advisor (aka, the dissertation director).  It is expected that a student will have a committee of at least three members within a few months of the defense; the committee must have three members at the time of the defense.  It is possible, with the approval of the primary advisor and the DGS, to add a faculty member from another institution.  Normally a dissertation committee has no more than four members; larger committees must be approved by primary advisor and the DGS.

The primary advisor has primary responsibility for supervision for the dissertation.  The norm is that the student and the dissertation committee set out in advance how often students will meet with and receive feedback from advisors.  The expectation is that the committee and the student will meet as a body once a term to discuss progress on the dissertation.

At least three months before a final defense of the dissertation can be scheduled, the candidate must submit a draft of the dissertation or at least a substantial part of it to the committee.  Until this is done, a defense of the dissertation cannot be scheduled.  Assuming the committee approves scheduling a defense, the candidate completes a draft and circulates it to the committee. While it is a matter for the committee and the candidate to decide, the expectation is that the complete draft of the dissertation which will be defended will be circulated to the committee at least three weeks before the date of the defense . 

Dissertation defenses are public, and may be attended both by department members and other interested parties.  They are normally two hours in length, and normally begin with a brief summary by the candidate of what the candidate has accomplished in the dissertation, followed by a conversation between the candidate and the committee.  The purpose of this conversation is not so much to test the range and detail of the candidate’s knowledge as to judge the candidate’s skill in presenting and discussing matters considered in the dissertation as well as the candidate’s ability to meet friendly but searching criticism.

PhD in Classical Philosophy

The departments of the Classics and Philosophy collaborate in an interdisciplinary PhD program in Classical Philosophy for students registered in either department. Candidates whose major field is philosophy are expected to take the Proseminar for graduate students in the classics, as well as attend seminars or other courses in classics relevant to their interests. With the approval of the director of graduate studies, students in the Classical Philosophy program may be permitted to count an appropriate course in ancient philosophy toward the distribution requirement in metaphysics and epistemology and one (in addition to the one already required) toward the requirement in history of philosophy.

Language requirements:

Candidates who plan to write a dissertation in Classical Philosophy are expected to have learned at least one of the classical languages (Greek or Latin) before they are admitted. Depending upon the level of fluency they have reached before entering the program, they may be asked to take additional language or reading courses. If they have not previously studied the second language, they will be required to reach the level of one year of college coursework. This can be done either by taking courses or by passing a language examination. In addition, candidates will be expected to have acquired a reading knowledge of German sufficient for reading scholarly literature and to pass a departmental examination on a suitably chosen text. The rules and procedures for the dissertation will, in general, be those established for candidates in philosophy.

PhD in Indian Philosophy

The departments of Philosophy and South Asian Studies collaborate in an interdisciplinary PhD program in Indian Philosophy for students registered in either department. Candidates whose major field is Philosophy are expected to take advanced language courses in South Asian studies and pass AM qualifying examinations. Candidates whose major field is South Asian studies are expected to fulfill the requirements of students in Philosophy, including distribution and logic requirements. With the approval of the director of graduate studies, students in Indian Philosophy may be permitted to count appropriate course in advanced Sanskrit or Tibetan toward the distribution requirement in metaphysics or epistemology and one toward the requirement in history of philosophy.

Language Requirements:

Candidates who plan to write a dissertation in Indian Philosophy are expected to have learned at least one of the relevant classical languages (Sanskrit or Tibetan) before they are admitted to the program. Depending upon the level of fluency they have reached before entering the program, they may be asked to take additional language or reading courses. In addition, candidates will be expected to satisfy the specific language requirements of their home department. The rules and procedures for the dissertation will, in general, be those established for candidates in Philosophy.

For more information please see the PhD in Indian Philosophy section .

JD/PhD in Philosophy and Law

A coordinated JD/PhD in Philosophy and Law is available. Students wishing to obtain the coordinated degrees must be admitted separately to both programs. Students admitted for the coordinated degrees must begin either with the first full year of law school or the first two years of philosophy; after that they may alternate terms as they choose. The program in Law may be completed in five terms. The requirements for philosophy are the same as for regular philosophy graduate students. For more information please see the JD/PhD Coordinated Program section .

The Master of Arts (AM) in Philosophy

The Department does not admit students for degrees other than the PhD. Students who have been admitted for the PhD and who have completed all course requirements for the degree may apply to be awarded an AM in Philosophy.

Harvard PhD students from programs (such as African and African-American Studies) which require PhD students to take courses required for an AM in another program are not required to take the first year colloquium required of Philosophy PhDs. (Students from these programs who wish to the take the colloquium must consult with the DGS.) Students from these programs who have completed 10 philosophy courses which satisfy the course requirements for a PhD and who have satisfied the distribution requirements for the PhD may apply to be awarded an AM in Philosophy.

A student who is pursuing an ad hoc degree administered in part by the Philosophy Department may petition to receive a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy. To receive this degree the student must have taken a total of 10 courses in Philosophy at the level of 100 or higher. At least two of these courses must satisfy the graduate distribution requirement in metaphysics and epistemology, two must satisfy the practical philosophy distribution requirement, two the history distribution requirement, and one must be a logic course. All must be passed with a grade of B or better. Students may receive this degree only when the Department has voted to support their petition.

Secondary Field in Philosophy

Much work in philosophy speaks directly to one or more disciplines which have Harvard PhD programs --literature, physics, statistics, science, mathematics, linguistics, and economics, to name a few. A secondary field in Philosophy gives students from other disciplines an opportunity to step back and look at the big picture in their discipline, putting students from discipline X in a position to do "philosophy of X" as part of doing X, thereby helping them both to understand their field more deeply and to open a path to developing it in innovative ways.

Graduate students may apply to the Philosophy Department to do a secondary field after their first term as a graduate student at Harvard. Secondary field students normally begin the secondary field in the second or third semester at Harvard, normally taking one or two courses a semester until they have completed the secondary field requirements.

Applicants should contact the Philosophy DGS before applying to do a secondary field in Philosophy. Applications must include: a brief statement explaining what the applicant hopes to achieve with the secondary field, including a brief summary of the applicant's background in philosophy; a copy of the undergraduate transcript (this can be a copy sent from the student's home department at Harvard) and a brief letter from a Harvard faculty member of the student's home department discussing how a secondary field in philosophy would contribute to the student's work in the home department.

To complete a secondary field in philosophy, a student completes four courses in philosophy at the 100 level or higher with a grade of B+ or better. One course must be in the area of one of the Department's PhD distribution requirements: moral and political philosophy; metaphysics and epistemology; logic; history of philosophy. A second course must be in another of these areas. At least one course must be a graduate seminar. In principle, an independent study with a member of the Department may be used to complete the secondary field. A capstone project is not required. Courses are counted towards satisfying the secondary field requirements only when approved to do so by the Philosophy DGS.

A student completing a secondary field in philosophy is assigned an advisor from the Philosophy Department, normally the DGS.

About the Program

The Department of Philosophy offers a program of study that leads to the Ph.D. in philosophy. We also offer programs that lead to either the Ph.D. or M.A. in philosophy in conjunction with a J.D. in law or an M.D. in medicine.

Our graduate programs reflect our pluralistic orientation as a department that values both historical and contemporary philosophical approaches, as well as public-facing and practically engaged philosophy. We have broad strengths in ethical theory and practical ethics (especially bioethics), social and political philosophy, philosophy of language, epistemology, modern European philosophy, and the Catholic philosophical tradition. Members of the Department also have distinctive research interests relevant to the graduate program in feminist philosophy, philosophy of gender, moral psychology, social epistemology, disability studies, philosophical approaches to race, science and social values, and philosophy of law.

We are committed to preparing our graduate students to do advanced research in philosophy, to recognize and realize professional standards within the discipline; to design and pursue both independent and collaborative research programs; and to achieve teaching excellence. We train not just teachers and scholars, but ethics consultants and other “alt-ac” professionals who participate in sophisticated applications of their doctoral training beyond the academy.

Ph.D. in Philosophy applicants can choose to apply for a concentration in Cognitive Science.

Degrees Offered

Admissions requirements.

For general graduate admissions requirements, visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s  Application Information  page. Review the  program’s website  for additional information on program application requirements.

Application Materials required:

• Application Form
• Non-refundable Application Fee
• Academic Statement of Purpose
• Optional: Statement on Diversity, Personal Background & Contributions
• Writing Sample
• Letters of Recommendation (3)
• Transcripts  – Applicants are required to upload to the application system copies of official  transcripts  from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s  Application Information  page for additional details and FAQs.
• TOEFL = 80 minimum
• IELTS = 7.0 minimum

Application Deadlines

• Fall (Ph.D.) : December 15
• Fall (M.A.) : January 15

Degree Requirements

The M.A. degree requires 30 credit hours without a thesis or 24 with a thesis.

Requirements for the Ph.D. include:

• 45 credit hours
• A proficiency examination in logic or successful completion of a course in symbolic logic with a grade of B or higher
• Passing comprehensive exams taken during pro-seminars in ethics, epistemology and metaphysics
• Acquiring any special skills (such as language proficiency) required for the dissertation and successfully completing and defending a dissertation

Connect with Us

Program Contact: John Greco , Director of Graduate Admissions

Quick Links

Begin your application today!

PHIL Department of Philosophy

• Philosophy Commencement
• Ethics Minor
• Declare a Major or Minor
• Satisfying the BA Language Requirement
• Honors Program
• U of O Philosophical Society
• Ex Animo Undergraduate Philosophy Journal
• Undergraduate Travel Awards

The Philosophy Matters Prize

• Study Abroad
• Resources for Undergraduates
• Auditing a Course
• How to Apply
• Frequently Asked Questions About Our Graduate Program
• M.A. Degree Requirements
• Ph.D. Degree Requirements
• Graduate Student Funding
• Graduate Teaching
• Advising and Assessment
• Placement Services and Success

Awards, Opportunities, and Support for Graduate Students

• Study Philosophy Abroad
• Resources for Graduate Students
• Department Head
• Associate Head
• Graduate Director
• Undergraduate Director
• Ethics Minor Director
• Pre-Law Advisers
• Full Professors
• Associate Professors
• Assistant Professors
• Senior Instructors
• Instructors
• Affiliated Faculty
• Courtesy Faculty
• Emeritus Faculty
• Former Faculty
• Graduate Students & GEs
• Administrative Staff
• Philosophy Diversity Inventory
• Philosophy Diversity Action Plan
• Discrimination and Sexual Harassment reporting
• Diversity Focus (graduate students)
• Philosophy Events Email List
• Traditions & Fields of Focus
• Publications
• Community Philosophy Institutes
• Information for Visitors
• Supporting the Department
• Position Openings
• General Philosophy Resources
• Administrative & Faculty Resources

Numerous opportunities for recognition and special awards are available for graduate students at the University of Oregon. In addition to winning many campus-wide awards, our graduate students have also competed successfully for awards such as the OUS-SYLFF Graduate Fellowship and the Fulbright Fellowship for Graduate Study and Research Abroad . We encourage our students to apply for relevant awards. For advice about applications or your eligibility, please consult with the Director of Graduate Studies.

Philosophy Department

• Graduate School

International Student and Scholar Services

• Wayne Morse Center

See also these links to Alternative Sources of Travel Funding .

The Paideia Prize

Since 2004, the Philosophy Department has awarded the Paideia Prize at spring graduation to the Philosophy Department’s graduate employee who most exemplifies the ideals of undergraduate teaching. The winner receives $300. No application is required; all graduate students teaching in the department are automatically considered for the prize. Students are eligible to win the Paideia Prize only once during their graduate studies.

Past Winners of the Paideia Prize: 2021 – Orlando Hawkins 2020 – Xiao Ouyang 2018 – Martina Ferrari 2017 – Shannon Hayes 2016 – Amy Billingsley and Dana Rognlie 2015 – Russell Duvernoy, Phil Mayo, and Kimberley Parzuchowski 2014 – Megan Burke 2013 – Teri Mayfield 2012 – Jonathan Langseth and Justin Pack 2011 – David Craig and Rhea Muchalla 2010 – Mindy Lawson and Aaron Rodriguez 2009 – Caroline Lundquist 2008 – Kara Barnette and Elizabeth Caldwell 2007 – Sarah Constance LaChance Adams, Mathew Alan Foust, and John Jacob Kaag 2006 – Celia Tagamolila Bardwell-Jones and Robin Lynn Zebrowski 2005 – Melissa Marie Shew 2004 – Adam Charles Arola

The Department of Philosophy awards the Philosophy Matters Prize annually for the best UO undergraduate and graduate student essays that showcase the continued relevance of philosophy to concrete issues facing us in the world. Up to two undergraduate prizes and one graduate prize are awarded each year. Each winner receives $300. Winners of the award will be contacted by faculty towards the end of Spring Term. Winning essays are posted on the Department of Philosophy website.

Click here for Phil Matters Prize announcement and instructions.

Center for the Study of Women and Society

Research grants for graduate students.

Available to UO graduate students, these grants support research and/or creative work from a range of disciplines on topics related to women and gender (to $2,500). Click here for the pdf application form and directions .

CSWS Laurel Research Award

Available to UO graduate students in the beginning stages of his/her degree work. The student must be nominated by their mentoring faculty member for this award which supports research on women and gender. The recipient will be awarded $2,250 and receive tuition remission for one term in cases where appropriate. An additional $250 can be awarded to a faculty member for expenses directly related to mentoring or collaborative research with the student. To qualify, applicants must be either a currently registered UO international graduate student or a currently registered UO graduate student from an ethnic minority community as defined by the UO Campus Diversity Plan [e.g. African-American, Latino(a)/Chicano(a), Native American, Asian American or Pacific Islander who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident]. Contact the Center for the Study of Women and Society for more details.

Jane Grant Dissertation Fellowship

This prestigious award, honoring the wife of CSWS’s benefactor, William Harris, will be given to an outstanding scholar at the doctoral level. This award is designed to support dissertations from a range of disciplines and topics related to women and gender. Only UO graduate students who have been advanced to candidacy (or will be by the date of the award) are eligible to be considered for this award of $10,000 and tuition remission. Click here for the pdf application form and directions .

College of Arts and Sciences Scholarships and Fellowships

The College of Arts and Sciences offers a number of annual awards for which Philosophy graduate students are eligible, including the following:

Mary Chambers Brockelbank Endowed Assistance Fund ($1,000 – $2,000) * Financial Need Norman Brown Graduate Fellowship ($4,000 – $5,000) * Graduate Students College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Scholarship ($1,000 – $2,000) * Graduate Students * Academic merit Everett D. Monte Scholarship ($1,000 – $3,000) * Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors, Graduate Students * Financial need Risa Palm Graduate Fellowship ($1,000) * Graduate Students * Promise for achievement in academic field Charles A. Reed Graduate Fellowship ($1,500 – $2,500) * Graduate Students * PhD candidate – please describe your PhD research plans in your personal statement * One recommendation should be from department head

Creative Writing: http://crwr.uoregon.edu/graduate_studies/graduate-awards/

EALL: http://eall.uoregon.edu/graduate-programs/scholarships/

Center for Asian & Pacific Studies http://caps.uoregon.edu/funding/ Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships http://caps.uoregon.edu/flas/ Freeman Internship Fellowships http://caps.uoregon.edu/freeman-internship-fellowships/ Center for Asian & Pacific Studies (CAPS) Small Professional Grants for Graduate Students http://caps.uoregon.edu/caps-small-professional-grants-for-graduate-students/

Folklore: http://folklore.uoregon.edu/almajohnsongraduatefolkloreaward/ http://folklore.uoregon.edu/graduate-studies-in-folklore/graduate-student-research-awards/

Philosophy: http://philosophy.uoregon.edu/graduate/awards/#philosophy

Romance Languages: http://rl.uoregon.edu/scholarships/

For a complete list of awards, eligibility, and application instructions, visit the CAS Scholarships page: http://cas.uoregon.edu/cas-scholarships/

Graduate School Awards

The University of Oregon Graduate School administers numerous annual awards for which philosophy graduate students are eligible, including the following:

Betty Foster McCue Scholarship : $5000 each to up to two doctoral candidates whose dissertation topics are related to issues of human development and performance.

Dan Kimble First Year Teaching Award : Up to two $500 awards for outstanding teaching performances by graduate employees (GEs) in their first year of classroom experience.

Donald and Darel Stein Graduate Student Teaching Award : This award of $1,000 is available for up to two recipients who have demonstrated outstanding teaching performance as Graduate Employees while at the same time excelling in their own academic program.

Gary E. Smith Summer Professional Development Award : $3,000 award for up to three outstanding master’s or doctoral students pursuing academic, professional development, or training enrichment opportunities during the summer.

Margaret McBride Lehrman Fellowship : A $9,000 award (and tuition waiver for a non-GE recipient) to a graduate student with financial need who is pursuing studies that emphasize communication, particularly through writing.

Margaret Wiese Graduate Research Award : Two $500 awards to support graduate student research (i.e., travel, materials, archival or field research) related to preserving the culture, language and/or artifacts of northwestern Native Americans.

Southeast Asian Studies Award : One $1,000 award designed to encourage graduate research about Southeast Asia.

University Club Foundation, Inc. Fellowship Award Program : To recognize and encourage scholarship, demonstrated leadership, and potential societal contributions, $5,000 award is made to each of four graduate students (one each from UO, OHSU, OSU, and PSU).

University of Oregon Doctoral Research Fellowships : Each department nominates one student who will be in the final year of doctoral work. $18,000 stipend plus tuition waiver for up to 3 dissertation students.

UO Public Impact Graduate Fellowship : This award provides two recipients with a stipend of $6,000 and the opportunity to participate in a research advocacy workshop for graduate students and new faculty.

Graduate Employee opportunities: https://gradschool.uoregon.edu/funding/ge

Various UO awards: For complete information on eligibility, deadlines, and application instructions, visit the Graduate School’s Scholarships, Awards, and Fellowships page: https://gradschool.uoregon.edu/funding/awards

Scholarships for International Students : At the University of Oregon, you will find several sources of financial aid for international students, both at the undergraduate and graduate level. Each year, the UO awards over one million dollars in financial aid and scholarships to international students.

For more information, visit the Scholarships for International Students page at https://international.uoregon.edu/isss/scholarships .

Oregon Humanities Center Graduate Fellowships

The purpose of the Graduate Research Fellowships is to stimulate humanistic research and support graduate education by providing UO doctoral students who expect to complete their Ph.D.s by the end of the current academic year the necessary time, space and other resources to finish their dissertations.

Research projects must be humanistic, but applicants may be enrolled in any department, college, or school. The term humanities is broadly interpreted to include literature; philosophy; history; the study of languages; linguistics; religion; ethics; jurisprudence; history; theory, and criticism of the arts; and the interpretive aspects of the social and natural sciences and the professions.

For more information, visit the following OHC pages:

OHC Teaching Fellowship: https://ohc.uoregon.edu/fellowships/teaching/

OHC Dissertation Fellowship: https://ohc.uoregon.edu/fellowships/faq-dissertation-fellowships/

OHC Graduate Research Support Fellowship: https://ohc.uoregon.edu/fellowships/faq-graduate-research-support-fellowships/

OUS-SYLFF Graduate Fellowships for International Research

Funded through the Oregon University System by the Nippon Foundation of Tokyo to nurture leaders who will transcend geopolitical, religious, ethnic, and cultural boundaries in the world community for the peace and well-being of humankind. Stipends are awarded for one year of full-time graduate work involving research and scholarly endeavors in programs and projects with an international dimension. The stipend for OUS-SYLFF recipients is up to $12,000 for the academic year to assist with educational and research expenses. Approximately five fellowships are awarded each year throughout the OUS and several partial fellowship stipends may be given each year to help subsidize research-related expenses and travel.

More details, including application information, is available at the Graduate’s Schools OUS-SYLFF Fellowship page here: http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/SYLFF .

Wayne Morse Dissertation Fellowships

Each year, the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics, with the support of the Graduate School, supports two graduate students while they conduct research and write dissertations related to the Wayne Morse Center theme. Each Wayne Morse Dissertation Fellow receives a stipend of $3,000 for one academic term, in addition to a tuition waiver.

For additional information, including application deadlines and instructions, visit the Wayne Morse Center’s Fellowship page: https://waynemorsecenter.uoregon.edu/graduate-research-fellowship-application-information

Graduate Program

Admissions Review Considering COVID-19 Disruptions

As part of the Sage School of Philosophy's ongoing practice of performing individualized, holistic review of each applicant to the graduate program, the graduate admissions committee takes into account the significant disruptions and challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants are invited to provide, as part of their application, an account of their individual experiences during the pandemic to provide context to inform the application review process.

OVERVIEW OF THE GRADUATE PROGRAM

The Ph.D. program is completed on average in six and one-half years. Accordingly, students in the program are typically guaranteed full financial support for six and one-half years. The Sage School does not offer a terminal master's degree.

Coursework: Students are normally expected to complete 12 courses covering a broad range of philosophical subfields. To meet this expectation, students enroll for credit in at least three courses per semester for the four semesters constituting their first two years in the program.     

Fifth-semester tutorial and A exam: Students spend the third year preparing for the A exam, an oral exam based on the student's formal dissertation prospectus and work preparatory for writing the dissertation. Students spend the first semester of the third year (their fifth semester overall) pursuing an individualized tutorial with relevant faculty. The fifth-semester tutorial is the mechanism by which students identify a dissertation area and begin the research necessary for articulating, focusing, and launching a dissertation project.

After completion of the 5th semester tutorial, the Special Committee and student determine when to schedule the A-Exam (whether in the 6th semester or in the summer prior to the 7th semester) and notify the DGS (Director of Graduate Studies) of their plan by the start of the 6th semester.  The Graduate School must receive notice of the exam's scheduled date by May 1, or by the beginning of the last month of the sixth semester.   The A-Exam must be attempted before the start of the 7th semester.

Sage Fellowship funding in the following ("dissertation") year depends on passing the A-Exam. 

Year 4 and beyond

Dissertation and B exam: Students spend their fourth year and beyond writing the dissertation. The B exam is the oral defense of the completed dissertation.

Students who have successfully passed the A exam as required by the Grad School are eligible to teach a First-Year Writing Seminar (FWS), for which they must take Writing 7100: Teaching First-Year Writing with the John S. Knight Institute in the summer prior to teaching or concurrently while teaching an FWS.

The Ph.D. is awarded on successful completion of the B exam and the submission of the completed dissertation.      

There are no formal academic obligations during summers. The typical funding package provides summer stipends for up to six summers (for more information see FUNDING). This summer funding is intended to free students to pursue their academic work or research. Supplemental funding is usually available to support summer language study or other specialized coursework.      

Special Committee

Each student has a special committee of advisors, consisting of at least three members of the graduate faculty. The committee offers general academic advising, approves the student's course selections and helps the student develop a plan of study that will provide the background needed for research and teaching in philosophy. The special committee is charged with recommending the residence credit to be awarded at the end of each semester and administering the A exam and B exam. Students may change the composition of their special committee and are encouraged to do so as their interests and dissertation plans develop.

Guidelines and Requirements

The following is a list of the guidelines and requirements for the Ph.D. in Philosophy. (The Sage School does not offer a terminal M.A. in Philosophy.)  Coursework requirements are established by the student's special committee, in light of the student's preparation and plans.  What follows are guidelines that will help the student and special committee in formulating a set of required courses.  These guidelines for planning constitute a set of general expectations for a typical student, and may be set aside at the discretion of the special committee. 

• Six registration units. One registration unit corresponds to the satisfactory completion of one academic semester of full-time study and research. 
• History of Philosophy
• Metaphysics and Epistemology
• Ethics and Social and Political Philosophy
• Logic or Mathematical Methods  
• Sage Seminar. In their first semester in the program, first-year students participate in a proseminar (the Sage Seminar), which provides an introduction to selected central issues in metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of language.  
• Fifth-semester tutorial. During the fifth semester, students find and begin work on a suitable dissertation topic. Students select a faculty member in the field of philosophy to supervise their research and meet regularly with him/her to gauge progress.   
• Admission to Ph.D. candidacy (A exam). This oral examination is ideally taken in the sixth semester of residence. It covers the student's dissertation prospectus and relevant literature.   
• Teaching experience. All students are required to serve as a Teaching Assistant (TA) during some of their time in the program.   
• Dissertation. The dissertation must embody the results of original research in a substantial treatment of a single issue or connected set of issues.   
• Final examination for Ph.D. candidates (B exam). This is an oral defense of a student’s dissertation work given in front of the student’s special committee.

(A student's special committee may also impose additional requirements: for example, languages or courses in related fields necessary for research in the student's area of specialization.)

Coursework Guidelines

Students are expected to complete twelve graduate-level courses distributed as specified in the following four categories:

History of Philosophy   

Students are expected to take at least three courses in the history of philosophy, of which:

• at least one must focus on some major figure(s) in ancient western philosophy,
• at least one must focus on some major figure(s) in modern western philosophy through the 19th century, and
• the remaining course may cover any figure(s) in the history of western or non-western philosophy through the 20th century. 

(Normally, graduate-level Philosophy courses with a second digit of 2 count as history courses.)  

Proseminar in the History of Philosophy:

An annual forum for engaging with current research in the history of philosophy through a variety of presentations by visiting scholars, Cornell faculty, and advanced graduate students. The Proseminar is open to all faculty, graduate students and invited advanced undergraduates working in any area of history of philosophy

Each meeting involves a presentation of a current paper or research project by a different speaker. Students in the course are expected to engage in critical discussion of the work presented and in reflection of the practices and methodologies exemplified in that work. Advanced graduate students in the course are expected to present work of their own. Exposure to a variety of scholars and their work and the opportunity for explicit reflection on scholarly practices will enable students to develop and refine their own research in history of philosophy.

Metaphysics and Epistemology     

Students are expected to do work in at least two areas in this category. This category is construed as including Metaphysics, Epistemology, Philosophy of Science, Art, Mathematics, Language, Mind, and Religion. (Normally graduate-level courses with a second digit of 5, 6, 7, or 8 [in the four-digit course number] satisfy this guideline.)     

Ethics and Social and Political Philosophy     

Students are expected to do work in at least one area in this category. (Normally graduate-level courses with a second digit of 4 [in the four-digit course number] satisfy this guideline.) 

Logic or Mathematical Methods

Graduate students in Philosophy can fulfill this guideline in two ways.

• Demonstrating understanding of classical 1st-order logic (of at least the Boolean connectives, universal and existential quantification), including understanding of deduction, basic model theoretic concepts and facts, soundness, and the completeness of a formalization of at least classical 0th-order logic.
• Demonstrating competence with some of the mathematical concepts, methods, theories and logics that play a role in the philosophical literature, e.g. basic set theory, semantic theory, intensional logics, probability, decision theory, game theory and social choice theory.

Logic or Mathematical Methods Prerequisite: Students will be allowed to take graduate-level courses in logic only if either (1) the logic committee has agreed that they have done previous work equivalent to the content of PHIL 2310, or (2) they have successfully completed 2310, (3) they have learned the material covered in 2310 and have taken the preliminary and final examinations (in take-home form) for 2310 or (4) they have special permission from the logic committee. The faculty members who teach PHIL 2310 will set and administer the relevant examinations. Students who choose option (2) may not count 2310 as one of the 12 required courses. Students are expected to complete this logic/mathematical methods prerequisite by the beginning of their third term in residence.

Graduate work done elsewhere     

Students may request credit for graduate-level work completed elsewhere. Such credit is limited to two residence units (i.e., two semesters of full-time course work). Credit for work done elsewhere is not granted automatically, and no decision about whether to grant such credit is made until a student has completed at least one semester of graduate study at Cornell. In some cases the decision is deferred until the end of  the first year of graduate study at Cornell.

Teaching experience is required for the Ph.D. in the Sage School, and graduate students normally receive part of their funding package in the form of teaching assistantships. Sage School teaching assistants typically assist a professor in a lower-level undergraduate course, lead one discussion section per week for about 25 students, and are responsible for grading the work of those 25 students (a commitment of approximately 15 hours per week on average over the course of the academic year).       

Advanced graduate students typically have the opportunity to teach their own course on a philosophical topic of their own choosing in Cornell's  First-Year Writing Seminar Program . First-year writing seminars enroll a maximum of 17 students and emphasize the development of writing skills within the context of discipline-specific subject matter. Graduate students often find teaching first-year writing seminars especially rewarding.

In addition to establishing English-language proficiency at the time of their application, international students must pass a test administered by ITAP (International Teaching Assistant Program) at Cornell prior to receiving a TA-ship in the 2nd year. Typically these tests are taken in the 1st year or immediately preceding their initial arrival at Cornell.

Link to ITAP information

The Sage School typically provides full support for all of its graduate students for six and one-half years. Full support includes:

• Full tuition in the Graduate School
• A living stipend for the academic year
• A summer fellowship (for six summers)
• Student health insurance

Fellowships

Typically two of the academic years — the first year and one other year (normally the fourth) — are non-teaching fellowship years. During fellowship years, students are freed from other obligations so that they may focus exclusively on their coursework or research. Students may use the second of their two fellowship years to pursue training or research-related activities elsewhere. 

Teaching Assistantships

Support for the remaining years typically comes in the form of teaching assistantships. (For more information, including required English language competency, see section on TEACHING .)

Equal, Secure, and Non-competitive Financial Support

All students receive essentially the same financial support package guaranteeing full support for six and one-half years (contingent on satisfactory academic performance and satisfactory performance in any required teaching). Students in the program do not compete for ongoing funding.

Additional Support

After 14 semesters, the Graduate School requires students to petition for an extension, and funding beyond the fourteenth semester is typically not possible.

Additional support for specific purposes such as summer language study, travel to participate in conferences and research-related expenses is often available through at least the sixth year of study.

All students are urged to seek any outside support for which they are eligible.

Admissions Process

The Sage School admissions process is conducted once a year, January-March, for admission in the fall of the following academic year.

Application Deadline

January 6 for fall admission in that year. (The fall semester begins at the end of August.)

Application Materials

The following  materials must be submitted online via the Cornell University Graduate School  online application system :

• Biographical information
• Academic information (including unofficial transcripts)
• More information on English language requirements and exceptions here
• Recommender information
• Three to five letters of recommendation; a total of five letters of recommendation will be accepted (submit all online), but only three are required*
• Financial support information (if required)
• Statement of Purpose
• Writing sample in philosophy (typically 15 but no more than 30 pages long)
• A fee waiver request is available directly within the application itself, on the payment page

*All letters should be submitted online.  Contact the Sage School at [email protected]  if this is not possible. 

Notification of Application Status

Application status and receipt of transcripts and letters are reported via the online application; if anything is lacking during admissions, the Sage School will reach out for the information.

Admissions Notification

Notification of admissions decisions will be made by email on or before March 15th.

Frequently Asked Questions

View the FAQ page

Application fee waivers are available for qualified persons.  The waiver application is part of the online admissions system.  How to apply for a Cornell Graduate School application fee waiver

Applicants can write to [email protected] for additional information.

Admissions Criteria

The Sage School admissions process is highly selective. We receive approximately 200-250 applications each year for approximately five places in our program. As a result, we look for students with outstanding potential for graduate work in philosophy. In our admissions process, we give considerable and roughly equal weight to three parts of an applicant's file:

• Academic record
• Letters of recommendation
• Writing sample 

The applicant's personal statement is also given some weight in the process.  

We use no particular numerical criteria (no minimum grade point average, for example), and we neither require GRE scores nor give them any significant weight when they are provided to us. We try to identify candidates with very strong general academic backgrounds and special skill or talent for philosophy in particular.   

Academic Record

We look for a strong general undergraduate record and very strong indication of philosophical ability. The latter is often (but not always) demonstrated by a record of achievement in philosophy courses. We normally expect applicants to have a background in philosophy at least the equivalent of what a Cornell undergraduate philosophy major would have. Many of our applicants come from Master's degree programs or have done some other sort of graduate work before applying to Cornell.

Letters of Recommendation

We require three letters of recommendation, and will accept as many as five. It is best if they are written by people who know the applicant well and can provide some concrete and detailed assessment of his or her work. At least one should be from a philosopher or philosophy instructor; it is better if two are (but an additional letter from a philosophy teacher who is not well acquainted with the applicant may be less helpful than a letter from a non-philosopher who does know him or her well).

Writing Sample

We look for a substantial, polished piece of writing that shows the applicant's philosophical abilities and skills. Typically, term-paper length (about 15 pages) is appropriate. Writing samples longer than 30 pages are unlikely to be read in their entirety. Something written for an upper-level philosophy course is generally appropriate.       

Personal Statement

We look for some insight into a person's general intellectual character and interests as well as some indication of how the person's abilities and interests fit with our program. We are particularly interested in candidates for whom our resources are especially well suited and who bring something interesting to our intellectual community.

One of the aims of the graduate program in the Sage School is to help students compete favorably in the academic job market. Each year a member of the faculty serves as placement director, whose role it is to oversee and guide students through the process of looking for jobs in philosophy. Among other things, the placement director assists each candidate with the preparation of their application dossier (writing sample, research statement, teaching dossier, CV, etc.), coordinates the gathering of letters of reference, invites guest speakers to provide advice about particular sectors of the job market, organizes practice interviews and job talks, and is there to offer guidance and support through the job market process.

The placement director for academic year 2023-2024 is Professor Nico Silins .

The Cornell Graduate School also provides assistance and seminars to help those who want to pursue careers outside of academia.  Non-academic placements of our graduates have included healthcare, investing, biotechnology, and actuarial science.

Click here for details , including a table with initial and current placements of our recent graduates.

For more information, email the department or Professor Silins.

Department Workshops

Friday workshops & work-in-process ("wip") workshops:.

Click here to view a listing of department workshops which have been held in the past.

Graduate Handbook

The Graduate Program in Philosophy Handbook contains a wealth of information about our graduate program. (Last updated:  July 2023)

Grad Minor in Philosophy for Other Fields

A graduate student in a field other than Philosophy may pursue a graduate minor in Philosophy. Students pursuing the graduate minor must have a faculty member in the field of Philosophy as their minor advisor. (This advisor would thereby become a minor member of the student’s special committee.) To complete the minor, the student must develop a significant competence in relevant areas of philosophy.  Normally, to meet this objective, students will select, in consultation with their minor advisor, and successfully complete at least four courses with PHIL numbers at the 5XXX-level or above that do not have a second-digit 9. Depending on the student’s philosophy background, a student's minor advisor, in consultation with the Philosophy Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), may recommend some deviation from this norm. Students hoping to pursue a graduate minor in philosophy who have little background in the field should consult with a prospective minor advisor before registering for their first philosophy course.

All students making satisfactory progress through the program receive full financial support for five years. (For five of those ten semesters, students have no teaching responsibilities.) The Department has been able to supply sixth-year funding in all cases where a sixth year was necessary to complete the program. In addition, several kinds of UNC-Chapel Hill fellowships and teaching assistantships are available, some from The Graduate School and others from the Department. Total financial support per year (including income from summer teaching) currently ranges from $26,300 to $34,300 (depending on whether the student wins a competitive University fellowship), along with full tuition, student fees, and health insurance.

Note: those students who wish to be considered for Graduate School fellowships (in addition to Departmental fellowships) should submit their applications by  the deadline posted on our Admissions FAQs page .

Graduate students who have completed their M.A. degrees often choose to teach a course during one of UNC’s five-week summer semesters, during which a broad menu of regular undergraduate courses is offered to those undergraduates who wish to proceed through college more quickly.

In addition, the Department’s graduate students have been very successful in winning prestigious national fellowships once here, including  Mellon/ACLS ,  Newcombe , and  NSF fellowships . For instance, in recent years, Chapel Hill graduate students won support from  Mellon/ACLS ,  Newcombe ,  Ford Foundation , and  Canada Council Fellowships .

Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Additional Information

• Download the Doctoral Viewbook
• Admissions & Aid

The Harvard Ph.D. in Education trains cutting-edge researchers who work across disciplines to generate knowledge and translate discoveries into transformative policy and practice.

Offered jointly by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Ph.D. in Education provides you with full access to the extraordinary resources of Harvard University and prepares you to assume meaningful roles as university faculty, researchers, senior-level education leaders, and policymakers.

As a Ph.D. candidate, you will collaborate with scholars across all Harvard graduate schools on original interdisciplinary research. In the process, you will help forge new fields of inquiry that will impact the way we teach and learn. The program’s required coursework will develop your knowledge of education and your expertise in a range of quantitative and qualitative methods needed to conduct high-quality research. Guided by the goal of making a transformative impact on education research, policy, and practice, you will focus on independent research in various domains, including human development, learning and teaching, policy analysis and evaluation, institutions and society, and instructional practice.   

Curriculum Information

The Ph.D. in Education requires five years of full-time study to complete. You will choose your individual coursework and design your original research in close consultation with your HGSE faculty adviser and dissertation committee. The requirements listed below include the three Ph.D. concentrations: Culture, Institutions, and Society; Education Policy and Program Evaluation; and Human Development, Learning and Teaching . 

We invite you to review an example course list, which is provided in two formats — one as the full list by course number and one by broad course category . These lists are subject to modification. 

Ph.D. Concentrations and Examples

Summary of Ph.D. Program

Doctoral Colloquia  In year one and two you are required to attend. The colloquia convenes weekly and features presentations of work-in-progress and completed work by Harvard faculty, faculty and researchers from outside Harvard, and Harvard doctoral students. Ph.D. students present once in the colloquia over the course of their career.

Research Apprenticeship The Research Apprenticeship is designed to provide ongoing training and mentoring to develop your research skills throughout the entire program.

Teaching Fellowships The Teaching Fellowship is an opportunity to enhance students' teaching skills, promote learning consolidation, and provide opportunities to collaborate with faculty on pedagogical development.

Comprehensive Exams  The Written Exam (year 2, spring) tests you on both general and concentration-specific knowledge. The Oral Exam (year 3, fall/winter) tests your command of your chosen field of study and your ability to design, develop, and implement an original research project.

Dissertation  Based on your original research, the dissertation process consists of three parts: the Dissertation Proposal, the writing, and an oral defense before the members of your dissertation committee.

Culture, Institutions, and Society (CIS) Concentration

In CIS, you will examine the broader cultural, institutional, organizational, and social contexts relevant to education across the lifespan. What is the value and purpose of education? How do cultural, institutional, and social factors shape educational processes and outcomes? How effective are social movements and community action in education reform? How do we measure stratification and institutional inequality? In CIS, your work will be informed by theories and methods from sociology, history, political science, organizational behavior and management, philosophy, and anthropology. You can examine contexts as diverse as classrooms, families, neighborhoods, schools, colleges and universities, religious institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, and more.

Education Policy and Program Evaluation (EPPE) Concentration

In EPPE, you will research the design, implementation, and evaluation of education policy affecting early childhood, K–12, and postsecondary education in the U.S. and internationally. You will evaluate and assess individual programs and policies related to critical issues like access to education, teacher effectiveness, school finance, testing and accountability systems, school choice, financial aid, college enrollment and persistence, and more. Your work will be informed by theories and methods from economics, political science, public policy, and sociology, history, philosophy, and statistics. This concentration shares some themes with CIS, but your work with EPPE will focus on public policy and large-scale reforms.

Human Development, Learning and Teaching (HDLT) Concentration

In HDLT, you will work to advance the role of scientific research in education policy, reform, and practice. New discoveries in the science of learning and development — the integration of biological, cognitive, and social processes; the relationships between technology and learning; or the factors that influence individual variations in learning — are transforming the practice of teaching and learning in both formal and informal settings. Whether studying behavioral, cognitive, or social-emotional development in children or the design of learning technologies to maximize understanding, you will gain a strong background in human development, the science of learning, and sociocultural factors that explain variation in learning and developmental pathways. Your research will be informed by theories and methods from psychology, cognitive science, sociology and linguistics, philosophy, the biological sciences and mathematics, and organizational behavior.

Program Faculty

The most remarkable thing about the Ph.D. in Education is open access to faculty from all Harvard graduate and professional schools, including the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Harvard Kennedy School, the Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Learn about the full Ph.D. Faculty.

Jarvis R. Givens

Jarvis Givens studies the history of American education, African American history, and the relationship between race and power in schools.

Paul L. Harris

Paul Harris is interested in the early development of cognition, emotion, and imagination in children.

Meira Levinson

Meira Levinson is a normative political philosopher who works at the intersection of civic education, youth empowerment, racial justice, and educational ethics. 

Luke W. Miratrix

Luke Miratrix is a statistician who explores how to best use modern statistical methods in applied social science contexts.

Eric Taylor

Eric Taylor studies the economics of education, with a particular interest in employer-employee interactions between schools and teachers — hiring and firing decisions, job design, training, and performance evaluation.

Paola Uccelli

Paola Ucelli studies socio-cultural and individual differences in the language development of multilingual and monolingual students.

View Ph.D. Faculty

Dissertations.

The following is a complete listing of successful Ph.D. in Education dissertations to-date. Dissertations from November 2014 onward are publicly available in the Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard (DASH) , the online repository for Harvard scholarship.

• 2022 Graduate Dissertations (265 KB pdf)
• 2021 Graduate Dissertations (177 KB pdf)
• 2020 Graduate Dissertations (121 KB pdf)
• 2019 Graduate Dissertations (68.3 KB pdf)

Student Directory

An opt-in listing of current Ph.D. students with information about their interests, research, personal web pages, and contact information:

Doctor of Philosophy in Education Student Directory

Introduce Yourself

Tell us about yourself so that we can tailor our communication to best fit your interests and provide you with relevant information about our programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with us.

Program Highlights

Explore examples of the Doctor of Philosophy in Education experience and the impact its community is making on the field:

Reshaping Teacher Licensure: Lessons from the Pandemic

Olivia Chi, Ed.M.'17, Ph.D.'20, discusses the ongoing efforts to ensure the quality and stability of the teaching workforce

Lost in Translation

New comparative study from Ph.D. candidate Maya Alkateb-Chami finds strong correlation between low literacy outcomes for children and schools teaching in different language from home

/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="graduate school fellowships philosophy"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Fellowships.

A fellowship provides financial support to graduate students to pursue graduate studies without associated teaching or research responsibilities. Fellowships are generally merit-based internal or external awards to support a student in a full-time course of study. We offer fellowship workshops , boot camps, consultation, and review sessions to help you in your pursuit of a fellowship.

The Graduate School funds a significant number of entering doctoral students with fellowships awarded through their graduate field. Explore the list below to learn more.

• New Student Fellowships
• Continuing Student Fellowships
• External Fellowships

The Graduate School at the University of California, Los Angeles maintains one of the most extensive and up-to-date university databases on graduate school funding opportunities. Their database is called GRAPES and can be accessed through the UCLA funding website . 

Pathways to Science is a portal managed by the Institute for Broadening Participation and includes funding, research, internship, and outreach opportunities in STEM for current and prospective pre-college, undergraduate, and graduate students as well as postdoctoral scholars. 

• Request Info
• Life at Dickinson
• Tuition & Aid
• News & Events
• Alumni in Action
• Dickinson Magazine
• Global Study and Engagement
• Sustainability
• Latest news /
• Philosophy Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2024 /

Philosophy Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2024

Molly Moran

• Dickinson College Department of Philosophy, Carlisle, Pa., research assistant   

Izzy Clarke

• Upaya Social Ventures, U.S. Army War College

Sabina Craciun

• Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pa., student research assistant. 
• Frederiksberg Psychiatric Hospital, Copenhagen, part of the NEAD Research Group.  

VIEW MORE CLASS OF 2024 JOBS, GRADUATE SCHOOL ACCEPTANCES, SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER HONORS .

TAKE THE NEXT STEPS

• Request Information
• Read More Dickinson News

Published April 25, 2024

Events All events

Physics & astronomy department graduation reception, dialogue across differences workshop, valley & ridge workshop, valley & ridge workshop, may 21-23, 2024, at dickinson.

Jump to navigation

Search form

The Graduate School

• Faculty/Staff Resources
• Programs of Study Browse the list of MSU Colleges, Departments, and Programs
• Graduate Degree List Graduate degrees offered by Michigan State University
• Research Integrity Guidelines that recognize the rights and responsibilities of researchers
• Online Programs Find all relevant pre-application information for all of MSU’s online and hybrid degree and certificate programs
• Graduate Specializations A subdivision of a major for specialized study which is indicated after the major on official transcripts
• Graduate Certificates Non-degree-granting programs to expand student knowledge and understanding about a key topic
• Interdisciplinary Graduate Study Curricular and co-curricular opportunities for advanced study that crosses disciplinary boundaries
• Theses and Dissertations Doctoral and Plan A document submission process
• Policies and Procedures important documents relating to graduate students, mentoring, research, and teaching
• Academic Programs Catalog Listing of academic programs, policies and related information
• Traveling Scholar Doctoral students pursue studies at other BTAA institutions
• Apply Now Graduate Departments review applicants based on their criteria and recommends admission to the Office of Admissions
• International Applicants Application information specific to international students
• PhD Public Data Ph.D. Program Admissions, Enrollments, Completions, Time to Degree, and Placement Data
• Costs of Graduate School Tools to estimate costs involved with graduate education
• Recruitment Awards Opportunities for departments to utilize recruitment funding
• Readmission When enrollment is interrupted for three or more consecutive terms
• Assistantships More than 3,000 assistantships are available to qualified graduate students
• Fellowships Financial support to pursue graduate studies
• Research Support Find funding for your research
• Travel Funding Find funding to travel and present your research
• External Funding Find funding outside of MSU sources
• Workshops/Events Find opportunities provided by The Graduate School and others
• Research Opportunities and programs for Research at MSU
• Career Development Programs to help you get the career you want
• Graduate Educator Advancement and Teaching Resources, workshops, and development opportunities to advance your preparation in teaching
• Cohort Fellowship Programs Spartans are stronger together!
• The Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society (BGHS) A national network society for students who have traditionally been underrepresented
• Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) A gateway to graduate education at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities
• Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) A community that supports retention, and graduation of underrepresented doctoral students
• Recruitment and Outreach Ongoing outreach activities by The Graduate School
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Funding Funding resources to recruit diverse students
• Graduate Student Organizations MSU has over 900 registered student organizations
• Grad School Office of Well-Being Collaborates with graduate students in their pursuit of their advanced degree and a well-balanced life
• Housing and Living in MI MSU has an on and off-campus housing site to help find the perfect place to stay
• Mental Health Support MSU has several offices and systems to provide students with the mental health support that they need
• Spouse and Family Resources MSU recognizes that students with families have responsibilities that present challenges unique to this population
• Health Insurance Health insurance info for graduate student assistants and students in general at MSU
• Safety and Security MSU is committed to cultivating a safe and inclusive campus community characterized by a culture of safety and respect
• Why Mentoring Matters To Promote Inclusive Excellence in Graduate Education at MSU
• Guidelines Guidelines and tools intended to foster faculty-graduate student relationships
• Toolkit A set of resources for support units, faculty and graduate students
• Workshops Workshops covering important topics related to mentor professional development
• About the Graduate School We support graduate students in every program at MSU
• Strategic Plan Our Vision, Values, Mission, and Goals
• Social Media Connect with the Graduate School!
• History Advancing Graduate Education at MSU for over 25 years
• Staff Directory
• Driving Directions

Call for Applications: STEAM Fellowship

Graduate Students

Application Deadline: Monday, June 3

MSU's STEAM Fellowship program brings together scholars who are deeply curious about interstitial and interdisciplinary spaces across the sciences, humanities, and fine arts. Intended as a space for questioning and crossing disciplinary boundaries, it was designed to foster interdisciplinarity through dialogue and collaboration among graduate students and faculty from diverse disciplines and for shared explorations of special topics in arts and sciences. The fellowship provides opportunities for artists and scientists to experiment with new disciplinary methods and practices through their own interdisciplinary projects. Fellows are also expected to share their knowledge generously, as a means of fostering community and supporting their colleagues’ work and study. The program is based on a cohort model and its curriculum includes an array of interdisciplinary social, curricular, experiential, and textual encounters that aim to inspire participants, propel their project work, and provide a community of practice dedicated to arts/science inquiry. We are seeking:

• up to eight PhD or MFA students (from any discipline); plus
• up to four faculty members or academic specialists (any rank).

The fellowship will run from Fall 2024 through Spring 2025. To learn more about this opportunity and to apply, visit the STEAMpower Fellowship website .

• Call us: (517) 353-3220
• Contact Information
• Privacy Statement
• Site Accessibility
• Call MSU: (517) 355-1855
• Visit: msu.edu
• MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer.
• Notice of Nondiscrimination
• Spartans Will.
• © Michigan State University

Center for Mexican American and Latino/a Studies

• College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Fellowships/Scholarships

Graduate fellowship program.

University of Houston 3553 Cullen Boulevard Room 323 Houston, TX 77204-3001 Phone: (713) 743-3136

Current Fellowship Recipients

The Graduate Fellowship Program is designed to recruit outstanding students who have demonstrated an interest in the advancement of the Mexican American or Latino community.

Preference shall be given to students who plan to conduct research in the area of Mexican American and/or Latino Studies. Students who are pursuing an M.A., M.F.A., or Ph.D. at the University of Houston are eligible to apply. Priority consideration will be given to students who bring a unique quantitative or qualitative research toolkit that would enhance CMALS’s research activities. Fellowships of up to $19,435 per academic year, renewable for a second year, are awarded to students on a competitive basis. Upon funds availability selected fellows may be provided tuition (see Awards section below for specifics). 

Application

Applications should include the following:

• A cover letter containing, name, contact information (email and phone number), student ID number, college, academic department, advisor’s name,  and contact information.  
• Resume with a listing of awards, publications, and/or samples of work where appropriate.
• A two-page description of the candidate’s research goals, including reference to the area of study in the M.A., M.F.A., or Ph.D. program.
• A letter of nomination from the chair or director of graduate studies in the UH department that has admitted the student.
• Two letters of reference, one of which must be from a faculty member that is familiar with the student’s current research record and work.

Students will be awarded fellowships of up to $19,435 per academic year in addition to any other scholarships they may receive from their departments or colleges. Recipients of the fellowships must be enrolled as full-time students and will work for the Center for Mexican American and Latino/a Studies as research assistants. The fellowships are renewable for a second year, provided that the recipient is in good academic standing, making satisfactory progress towards the degree, and has fulfilled her/his obligations with CMALS, and upon funds availability. For selected fellows, a decision to cover tuition will be made based on current and future funds available to CMALS. 

March 31st, 2024

Online Application

Scan your application into a single PDF  document in the following order:

• Cover letter
• Research Statement
• Nomination letter

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Submit it to: [email protected]

Letters of recommendation/reference should be sent electronically to [email protected]   indicating the name of the applicant on the subject line. 

University of Houston 3553 Cullen Boulevard Room 323 Houston, TX 77204-3001

Past Fellowship Recipients

• Facts and Figures
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• Non-traditional Admissions
• Pay Deposit
• Undergraduate Majors
• Graduate Programs
• Honors College
• Study Abroad
• Professional & Continuing
• Online Programs

Career Planning

• Living on Campus
• Clubs & Organizations
• Spirit & Traditions
• About Harrisonburg
• Pay Your Deposit
• Office of Financial Aid
• Freshman Scholarships

• James Madison University -->
• Pre-Professional
• General Education
• The Graduate School
• Professional and Continuing
• Distance and Online Learning
• College of Arts and Letters
• College of Business
• College of Education
• College of Health and Behavioral Studies
• College of Integrated Science and Engineering
• College of Science and Mathematics
• College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Academic Calendar
• Academic Advising
• Career Center
• Centers and Institutes
• International Programs
• Office of the Registrar

Grapple with the insights of great thinkers from across the world and throughout history while developing skills in critical thinking, argument analysis and cultural literacy.

We prepare graduates to meet a rapidly changing world. Students will study ancient and contemporary philosophers as they engage in rigorous debate, ask the big questions and sharpen their critical thinking skills.  Students will study problems arising in contemporary movements such as analytic philosophy, existentialism and American philosophy; students will be introduced to the major subdivisions of philosophy, including logic, ethics, aesthetics, philosophy and law, philosophy of science and philosophy of religion.

Learn More:

• Department of Philosophy & Religion Website
• Program Requirements
• Explore Careers

Request Info

The major is part of the Department of Philosophy and Religion , an academic unit within the College of Arts and Letters .

The major in philosophy empowers students to analyze diverse worldviews and value systems. In a world that is increasingly pluralistic, ideologically driven and globally connected, skills in critical thinking and cross-cultural understanding are more important than ever. Our students apply this degree to a wide variety of career fields.

Students choose from two concentrations: general philosophy and interdisciplinary philosophy. The interdisciplinary concentration allows students to count relevant courses in another field toward the major and is a particularly good fit for students choosing philosophy as a second major.

Philosophy and Religion

• B.A. in Philosophy and Religion, Major in Philosophy
• Interdisciplinary Philosophy
• Logic and Reasoning

For detailed program information and curriculum, please visit:

• Department of Philosophy & Religion website
• Undergraduate catalog

A successful career and a meaningful life is what it’s all about. Whether it’s an internship, a great first job or a top graduate school appointment, JMU Dukes make their dreams ignite. You will, too.

Here are current openings available to JMU students.

Jobs for JMU Students

• ► Academic
• ► Academic Research
• ► Spiritual
• ► Legal
• Please wait while this list loads...

This preview has limited results. Log in to Handshake to see the full list, try out additional keywords, filter by location, and apply for positions.

Internships for JMU Students

Back to Top

• Expenditures
• Accessibility
• Social Media

Loeb Fellowship Announces the Class of 2025

From left: (top) Mariana Alegre, Pierre-Emmanuel Becherand, Dr. Leanne Brady, Shana M. griffin, Tawkiyah Jordan; (bottom) Nikishka Iyengar, Tosin Oshinowo, Sahar Qawasmi, Matt Smith, Tunde Wey.

The  Loeb Fellowship  at the Harvard Graduate School of Design (Harvard GSD) is proud to welcome the class of 2025 Loeb Fellows. These visionary practitioners and activists are transforming public spaces and urban infrastructure, rectifying health and environmental injustices, addressing housing needs, and preserving cultural, natural, and architectural heritage. They are inspired and inspiring mid-career professionals who come from diverse backgrounds around the world but share passion and purpose—to strengthen their abilities to advance equity and resilience and to harness the power of collective action.

During their ten-month residency at Harvard GSD, Loeb Fellows immerse themselves in a rich academic environment, auditing courses at Harvard and MIT, exchanging insights, and expanding professional networks. They engage actively with Harvard GSD students and faculty, participate as speakers and panelists at public events, and convene workshops and other activities that encourage knowledge sharing and creation. Throughout, Loeb Fellows consider how they might refocus their careers and broaden the impact of their work.

The ten class of 2025 Loeb Fellows are:

Mariana Alegre, founder and executive director of Sistema Urbano, Lima, Peru

Pierre-Emmanuel Becherand,  head of design, culture, and urban planning for the Grand Paris Express, Paris, France

Dr. Leanne Brady,  health systems activist and filmmaker, Cape Town, South Africa

Shana M. griffin,  founder of PUNCTUATE, New Orleans, USA

Nikishka Iyengar,  founder and CEO of The Guild, Atlanta, USA

Tawkiyah Jordan,  vice president of housing and community strategy, Habitat for Humanity, New York, USA

Tosin   Oshinowo,  founder and principal of Oshinowo Studio, Lagos, Nigeria

Sahar Qawasmi , cofounder Sakiya – Art | Science | Agriculture, Ramallah, Palestine

Matt Smith , cofounder and director, Building Common Ground, Santa Fe, USA

Tunde Wey , social practice artist, Lagos, Nigeria, and Detroit, USA.

“Every year, Loeb Fellows bring an incomparable breadth and diversity of experience to the GSD. They inspire us with their accomplishments, enrich conversation across our school, and challenge us to think critically about how designers can create a more just world,” says  Sarah M. Whiting , Dean and Josep Lluís Sert Professor of Architecture at Harvard GSD, “I could not be more excited to welcome the class of 2025 to campus next fall, and to see what they achieve during their year in residence with us.”

“The most valuable and provocative aspect of the Loeb Fellowship is who we identify and embrace as the very broad group of practitioners that shape our built and natural environment,” says Loeb Fellowship curator  John Peterson . “From writers to activists, and architects to physicians, the incoming class of 2025 is a wonderful expression of our value in diversity.” Peterson is an architect, activist, and a Loeb Fellow in the class of 2006.

The Loeb Fellowship continues its collaboration with the  ArtLab at Harvard University  to welcome Shana M. griffin as its 2025 Loeb/ArtLab Fellow. griffin will have access to studio space and will be able to engage with the ArtLab community and its intellectual resources and networks.

Bree Edwards, director of the ArtLab, a laboratory for research in the arts, says “I look forward to ways that the ArtLab’s creative community will engage with and learn from the cross-disciplinary practice of artist, activist, and scholar Shana M. griffin,” the fourth recipient of the Loeb/ArtLab Fellowship. Previous recipients are Jordan Weber ’22, Dario Calmese ’23, and Joseph Zeal Henry ’24.

After their year in residence at Harvard GSD, Loeb Fellows join a powerful worldwide network of over 450 lifelong Loeb Fellowship alumni including recognized leaders like Jordan Weber ’22, Rick Lowe ’02, Robin Chase ’05, Monica Rhodes ’22, Mary Means ’82, Eleni Myrivili ’20, Gisli Marteinn Baldursson ’15, Mark Lamster ’17, Janet Echelman ’08, and Andrew Freear ’18.

The Loeb Fellowship traces its roots to the late 1960s, when John L. Loeb directed a Harvard GSD campaign based on the theme of “Crisis.” Loeb saw the American city in disarray and believed Harvard could help. He imagined bringing promising innovators of the built and natural environment to Harvard GSD for a year, challenging them to do more and do better, convinced they would return to their work with new ideas and energy.

• StudentInfo
• Contact SOE
• Our points of pride
• Meet the Dean
• External Leadership Board
• Vision and Mission
• School Leadership
• Our Magazine
• Convocation Information
• Enrollment and Graduation Data
• Resources for Faculty
• Chemical and Biological Engineering
• Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical & Computer Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering
• Research in Engineering
• Sandia University Partnerships Network (SUPN)
• AFRL Partnership
• Base Plus compensation policies
• Research Areas
• Research Centers
• Faculty Expertise Directory
• Facilities & Labs
• Research Opportunities and Resources

Prospective Students

• Undergraduate Studies
• Graduate Studies
• Interdisciplinary Programs
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• Academic Advising
• Scholarships
• Engineering Student Services
• Student Honors
• School of Engineering News

Recent News

Two engineering students honored with National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships May 15, 2024

UNM part of project to create energy-harvesting smart soles for shoes May 14, 2024

New graduate scholarship established in mechanical engineering May 10, 2024

Department to launch renewable energy concentration May 10, 2024

News Archives

• January  2024
• February  2024
• March  2024
• April  2024
• May  2024
• January  2023
• February  2023
• March  2023
• April  2023
• May  2023
• June  2023
• July  2023
• August  2023
• September  2023
• October  2023
• November  2023
• December  2023
• January  2022
• February  2022
• March  2022
• April  2022
• May  2022
• June  2022
• July  2022
• August  2022
• September  2022
• October  2022
• November  2022
• December  2022
• January  2021
• February  2021
• March  2021
• April  2021
• May  2021
• June  2021
• July  2021
• August  2021
• September  2021
• October  2021
• November  2021
• December  2021
• January  2020
• February  2020
• March  2020
• April  2020
• May  2020
• June  2020
• July  2020
• August  2020
• September  2020
• October  2020
• November  2020
• December  2020
• January  2019
• February  2019
• March  2019
• April  2019
• May  2019
• June  2019
• July  2019
• August  2019
• September  2019
• October  2019
• November  2019
• December  2019
• January  2018
• February  2018
• March  2018
• April  2018
• May  2018
• June  2018
• July  2018
• August  2018
• September  2018
• October  2018
• November  2018
• December  2018
• January  2017
• February  2017
• March  2017
• April  2017
• May  2017
• June  2017
• July  2017
• August  2017
• September  2017
• October  2017
• November  2017
• December  2017
• January  2016
• February  2016
• March  2016
• April  2016
• May  2016
• June  2016
• July  2016
• August  2016
• September  2016
• October  2016
• November  2016
• December  2016
• January  2015
• February  2015
• March  2015
• April  2015
• May  2015
• June  2015
• July  2015
• August  2015
• September  2015
• October  2015
• November  2015
• December  2015
• February  2014
• March  2014
• April  2014
• May  2014
• June  2014
• July  2014
• August  2014
• September  2014
• October  2014
• November  2014
• December  2014
• January  2013
• February  2013
• March  2013
• April  2013
• May  2013
• June  2013
• July  2013
• January  2012
• February  2012
• March  2012
• April  2012
• May  2012
• June  2012
• July  2012
• August  2012
• September  2012
• October  2012
• November  2012
• January  2011
• February  2011
• March  2011
• April  2011
• May  2011
• June  2011
• July  2011
• August  2011
• September  2011
• October  2011
• November  2011
• December  2011
• January  2010
• February  2010
• March  2010
• April  2010
• May  2010
• June  2010
• July  2010
• August  2010
• September  2010
• October  2010
• November  2010
• December  2010
• January  2009
• February  2009
• March  2009
• April  2009
• May  2009
• June  2009
• July  2009
• August  2009
• September  2009
• October  2009
• November  2009
• December  2009
• January  2008
• February  2008
• March  2008
• April  2008
• May  2008
• June  2008
• January  2007
• February  2007
• April  2007
• August  2007
• > Two engineering students honored with National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships

Two engineering students honored with National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships

May 15, 2024 - by Kim Delker

Two students in the School of Engineering are recipients of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP).

Ashley Apodaca-Sparks, a master’s student in the in the Gerald May Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, and Mega Frost, a Ph.D. student in the Optical Science and Engineering Program, received awards.

The NSF GRFP was created to ensure the quality, vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. GRFP seeks to broaden participation in science and engineering of underrepresented groups, including women, minorities, persons with disabilities and veterans. The five-year fellowship provides three years of financial support with an annual stipend.

Apodaca-Sparks is currently working on the development of a field sensor for uranium detection in natural water systems. She said that there is a need for an easy-to-use and affordable field sensor, especially in New Mexico, which has a large presence of abandoned uranium mines.

“The communities affected have to rely on costly and often out-of-reach methods to get information about the safety of their water, and my hope is to help provide a tool that can provide them with this information directly,” she said.

Additionally, she works on Shared.Futures, an ArtScience collaborative led by Professor Yolanda Lin from the UNM Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. Apodaca-Sparks works with others on the project to connect artists and researchers through a fellowship program where they collaborate to create artwork communicating scientific perspectives.

“I am incredibly honored to have received this award, and I know it would not have been possible without the many people who have supported and inspired me, specifically professors José Cerrato, Anjali Mulchandani, Yolanda Lin and Andreas Hernandez, as well as my family and friends,” Apodaca-Sparks said. “I have always been passionate about pursuing a higher education, and this fellowship will help me achieve this goal.”

Long term, she said she would like to continue with scientific research and promoting science communication through mediums like art.

“For many, science and engineering can seem unattainable, but I believe artwork has the capacity to bridge the divide between researchers and the larger community,” she said.

Frost’s area of research is in III-V semiconductor crystal growth, particularly the development of antimonide-based structures on silicon for applications in optoelectronics.

“Receiving the NSF GRFP is an achievement that I am both incredibly honored and humbled to receive,” Frost said. “It is a prestigious award that distinguishes researchers that the NSF believes to be major contributors to the future of science, and it will be a distinction that will aid me in several of my future endeavors.”

Future plans for Frost include either pursuing a faculty research position or working as a researcher at a national research laboratory such as Sandia National Laboratories.

“My desire is to continue working on cutting-edge research to bring new and exciting technology to the industry and to never stop contributing to the wealth of human knowledge,” Frost said. “As the need for semiconductor manufacturing capabilities within the United States increases, I understand that my continued work in this field will remain relevant and necessary.”

Three students in the School of Engineering received honorable mention for the award: Kritan Subedi and Paige Haley, both master’s students in the Gerald May Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering; and Andrew Geyco, who received a bachelor’s degree in computer science from UNM.

In addition, two UNM Engineering alums received fellowships: Levi Premer, who received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from UNM and is now at Purdue University; and Shantae C. Gallegos, who received a biomedical engineering degree from UNM who is now at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

A full list of students who received the fellowship from UNM and around the country can be found on the National Science Foundation website .

• Find a Degree or Program
• Academic Support

Alumni and Supporters

• News and Events
• Support Engineering
• Ways to Give
• Connect / Share Your News
• Contact our Staff

Current Students

• Apply to a Degree Program

Faculty and Staff

• Employment Opportunities

Academic Advising & Support

• Engineering Student Success Center

SOE on social media

© The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, (505) 277-0111 New Mexico's Flagship University

• Accessibility
• Contact UNM