The main areas of concentration in the graduate curriculum are metaphysics, epistemology, history of philosophy, philosophy of science, social and political philosophy, logic, and value theory.

Learning Outcomes

• Breadth of knowledge: demonstrate knowledge of a wide range of areas in philosophy—metaphysics and epistemology; value theory; history of philosophy; and logic, philosophy of mathematics, and philosophy of science.
• Depth of knowledge: demonstrate advanced knowledge in a primary area of specialization and substantial knowledge in a distinct, secondary area, to support teaching and potential research in that area.
• Scholarship and research skills: develop specific research projects, including the central project of the dissertation; and develop the skills required to conduct research at a professional level, including philosophical writing and communication skills, the ability to engage others’ work, and the ability to make substantial contributions in the field.
• Teaching skills and pedagogy: demonstrate effective teaching skills that are in line with pedagogical standards in the discipline, acquire teaching competence in a wide range of areas, and develop pedagogical tools for effective engagement with their students.
• Professionalization and career preparation: understand the disciplinary norms and standards of research, professional and collegial engagement with others, and responsibilities related to teaching; and develop a portfolio and skills contributing to one’s career prospects, guided by one’s career goals and interests, and informed by different possible career opportunities and trajectories.

The Doctor of Philosophy program in philosophy requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit. Graduate students must take Department of Philosophy courses (prefix PHIL) that are numbered 4000 and above. Students must earn a Graduate College program grade point average of at least 3.00. Requirements include courses in metaphysics, epistemology, history of philosophy, logic, philosophy of science, and value theory. See Courses in this section of the catalog for a complete listing of philosophy courses. There is no world language requirement.

Candidacy for the doctoral program is determined by a formal vote of the entire Department of Philosophy faculty, usually after a student has completed three semesters of graduate study in residence. After the student has completed the required coursework, they will take a comprehensive examination that includes both a written dissertation prospectus and an oral defense. Upon successfully completing the exam, they begin work on their dissertation. Contact the graduate studies director for more information.

Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.

Academics

University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.

Admissions

Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.

Financial Support

Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.

Applications and all supporting documents for graduate admission must be submitted electronically by Feb. 1. Information about the admission process see the Graduate Admission Process on the Department of Philosophy website. Applicants should submit their applications and supporting materials to the University of Iowa admissions website.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.

The graduate program is designed to train teachers and scholars in philosophy. The Department of Philosophy is also invested in helping students to use their philosophical training careers outside of academia. The departmental Placement Director will help dissertation stage students prepare for the job market. 

A number of helpful resources for Career Planning are available through the Grad Success Center.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Philosophy, PhD

a

Students must take Department of Philosophy courses (prefix PHIL) that are numbered 4000 and above; graduate transfer credits of up to 9 s.h. (maximum of 3 s.h. for any distribution area) allowed upon approval.

b

Four main areas: 1) Metaphysics and Epistemology (metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, philosophy of religion); 2) History (ancient philosophy, medieval philosophy, early modern philosophy, 19th century philosophy, 20th century philosophy; 3) Logic/Philosophy of Science/Philosophy of Mathematics (logic, philosophy of science, philosophy of mathematics); 4) Value Theory (ethics, aesthetics, political philosophy, philosophy of law).

c

Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.

d

Graduate College program GPA is comprised of all courses that are approved degree requirements. If a student takes more than the minimum required number of semester hours to complete the degree, but all courses taken are eligible to count toward the degree, those courses will be included in the Graduate College program GPA.

e

9 s.h. total coursework required with grades of B or better, 3 s.h. of which should be in ancient philosophy and 3 s.h. in modern philosophy.

f

9 s.h. total coursework required with grades of B or better, 3 s.h. of which should be a seminar.

g

9 s.h. total coursework required with grades of B or better.

h

Course on varied topics in the profession: pedagogy, writing, publication, career preparation, etc.

i

6 s.h. total coursework required with grades of B or better.

j

Must take two additional courses in one of the four main areas of distribution; must be different from the student's area of specialization. Requested exceptions to this rule possible with approval.

k

Can overlap with other requirements. Note: 9 s.h. of specialization coursework required. Must pass three courses in a specific area (e.g., metaphysics, epistemology, ancient, logic).

l

Should have completed all distribution and secondary area requirements.

m

Includes professionalization courses, research and thesis credit; must be numbered 4000 or above. May include coursework from other units relevant to one's philosophical research with approval.

n

Written and oral exam, consisting of a written dissertation prospectus and oral defense of the prospectus.

o

Work with advisor on research relevant to comprehensive exam (dissertation prospectus).

p

Dissertation defense.