PhD in Philosophy in Boston United States | University of Massachusetts Amherst

The prestigious MA/PhD program in philosophy at UMass Amherst equips students to develop rigorous philosophical work, conduct innovative research with distinguished faculty, and prepare for academic careers. You'll study core areas including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, logic, and philosophy's history while refining teaching abilities through faculty collaboration, the Center for Teaching, and participation in our Philosophy for Kids initiative for younger students. Alongside peers, you'll participate in specialized reading groups covering ethical theories, propositional attitudes, and philosophical thinkers, plus attend departmental speaker events and student-run colloquia to present your research. PhD candidates can earn their master's degree after fulfilling preliminary requirements (excluding the area exam) and Graduate School standards. Note: We don't provide a standalone MA program. To qualify for the Philosophy PhD, students must complete 15 graduate philosophy courses spanning traditional disciplines, with at least six being graduate seminars. Additional requirements include passing a Starred Paper and an Area Exam related to the dissertation focus. The Starred Paper demonstrates original research capabilities through a substantial work evaluated by a three-faculty committee to maintain doctoral-level standards.