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Deepen your research and cultivate your teaching
In the Philosophy PhD program, you’ll gain a foundational understanding of the discipline, grounded in continental European thought, through rigorous coursework and seminars. Through directed research, colloquia and the dissertation, you’ll also develop the expertise necessary to begin your academic career. In addition to your studies within the department, you’ll spend the spring of your second year abroad, engaged in immersive language study.
Whether entering the program with a BA or an MA, your entire doctoral program is fully funded for six years (or fewer if you complete the requirements in a shorter period). That is six years of complete tuition remission, a stipend of $31,981 (annual stipend increases are tied to the University's annual raise pool), and travel funding to present your work at academic conferences. In addition, the University offers student health insurance.
In the first two years in the program, each student is assigned to be a Teaching Assistant for two of the three quarters each academic year. The responsibilities during this period necessarily vary, but generally they are as follows:
Attend each class session of the course or as many as the instructor deems necessary;
Assist the instructor with grading (never, however, being asked to do more than 50% of the total grading for the quarter);
Teach, when necessary or mutually desirable, one or, at most, two sessions of the class; and
Hold weekly open office hours
In the
third through sixth year in the doctoral program, students serve as Teaching Fellows. In this role, students teach three courses per academic year, but they may teach no more than one course in a single quarter during the course of any academic year.
Students in the PhD program will also work closely with leading scholars in:
- Contemporary continental thought
- German idealism
- Social and political theory
- History of philosophy and ethics
- Feminist philosophy
- Psychoanalytic thought
- Latin American philosophy
The department is committed to your success not only as a scholar but as a teacher. Our teaching practicum, taken over the second and third years of study, guides you in your transition from teaching assistant to teaching fellow to the academic job market, making you a strong candidate for tenure-track positions and postdocs.
There is a limitation of four years between admission to the doctoral program and admission to doctoral candidacy. The time between admission to candidacy and dissertation defense should be between eight months and two years.
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Chicago: a city of broad shoulders and broad minds
In addition to its world-renowned museums, libraries, political think tanks and historic neighborhoods, Chicago is home to a vibrant community of scholars. As part of an independent study, attend a lecture or seminar at one of our many neighboring universities. Present your work at local conferences and in our departmental student-organized Frings Colloquium, and take part in events organized around Chicago by groups such as the Ancient Greek and Philosophy Workshop, or by the Chicago-Area Consortium in German Philosophy.
PhD Completion
Upon completion of the required quarter hours, given your track, you must also complete four core courses at the 600-level or higher for admission into PhD candidacy. You’ll need to demonstrate competence in two languages, usually French, German, Spanish, Latin or Greek. PhDs are awarded upon successful defense of your dissertation.
Application Deadline
Applications for Fall 2025 are due January 6, 2025.
Admission Requirements
Submit an online application, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and writing sample. A proof of English proficiency test is required for international students. GRE scores are not required and will not be considered.
Admission Requirements
Required Courses
Each student, whether entering with a BA or an MA, is required to take 28 courses (112 credit hours) over the course of four years.
Degree Requirements
94%
of Philosophy graduates were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.
Learn from published scholars
At DePaul, you’ll learn directly from esteemed philosophers like Sean Kirkland, PhD, associate professor and director of graduate studies for philosophy. Kirkland has had numerous books, book chapters, articles, papers, and essays published. His most recent piece of work is a collection that came out with Northwestern University Press titled A Companion to Ancient Philosophy which is a collection of essays on a broad range of themes and figures spanning the entire period extending from the Pre-Socratics to Plato, Aristotle, and the Hellenistic thinkers.
“I joined the Philosophy program at DePaul because of the top-rated faculty in continental philosophy, the commitment to foreign-language acquisition and the opportunities to study abroad. Through weekly reading groups, I was able to improve my German significantly, which was of great help when I spent a semester abroad at the University of Freiburg in Germany. Later in my time at DePaul I applied for and received a Fulbright research fellowship to go back to Germany. The faculty in the philosophy department at DePaul were incredibly supportive and helpful during the process, no doubt because several of them had done research abroad on Fulbright fellowships as well.”
Ian (PhD ’16)
Philosophy faculty member, St. John’s College, Santa Fe, NM
Alumni Network
Graduates of the Philosophy PhD program have gone on to positions at institutions such as Emory University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Memphis, Duquesne University, Whitman College, Luther College, Colby College and University of California, Berkeley.
View Philosophy alumni placements and appointments.
Contact Information
For more information about applying, contact The Office of Graduate Admission at
(773) 325-7315 or
lasgrad@depaul.edu.
Take the next step
We’ll send you information about the degree, admission requirements and upcoming info sessions. Let’s get started.
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