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Online PhD in Philosophy is a distance learning program that enables students to earn their Philosophy doctorate degree online. The Philosophy online PhD curriculum is largely the same as traditional Philosophy doctorate programs, and students take courses in subjects such as epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, historical concepts and other Philosophy topics. In addition to coursework, students must also complete a research dissertation.

An online PhD in Philosophy can be an excellent way to pursue your passion for Philosophy while maintaining your current lifestyle and commitments. Online programs offer flexibility and convenience, allowing you to study at your own pace and on your own schedule. In addition, online PhD programs typically allow you to choose from a variety of courses, giving you the opportunity to tailor your studies to your specific interests. And because online programs are often more affordable than traditional programs, an online PhD in Philosophy can be a great option for those on a budget.

Yes. A PhD in Philosophy opens up a wide range of career opportunities for the graduates. While many people assume that those with a PhD in Philosophy will only be able to find work as professors in academia, this is not the case. In fact, there are many more positions that a PhD Philosophy holder can work in.

See some examples below:

  • Research positions: Many businesses and organizations hire research staff to help them gain a better understanding of their customers or target market. A PhD in Philosophy can be an excellent foundation for a career in research, as it develops critical thinking and analytical skills.
  • Policy analysis: Policy analysts use their skills to assess the impact of government policies on issues such as economic growth, social welfare, and environmental protection. If you’re interested in working in this field, then a PhD in Philosophy can give you the ability to think deeply about complex problems and develop well-reasoned solutions.
  • Writing: A PhD in Philosophy can lead to a career as a writer or editor. If you enjoy communicating ideas through writing, then this could be an excellent way to use your skills. There is a growing demand for top tier writers who can communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely, making this an exciting field to consider.
  • Consulting: Many businesses hire consultants to provide them with expert advice on various topics. If you have high level expertise in a particular area of Philosophy, and of course a PhD is the highest level, then you may be able to find work as a consultant. This can be an excellent way to use your skills to help businesses make better decisions and solve problems more effectively.

PhD philosophers at the top of their career can expect to make an average of about  $90,000 per year. With time and experience, you could make much more than that.

An online PhD in Philosophy usually takes four to four to six years to complete. The first two years are typically spent completing coursework, with the remaining time devoted to writing and defending a dissertation. Many online PhD programs allow students to complete their coursework at their own pace, which can help to shorten the overall duration of the program. Some programs offer accelerated options that allow students to complete their degree in as little as three years. While pursuing a PhD philosophy online may take longer to earn than a traditional PhD, it can come with the kind of flexibility that is suitable for those who are not in so much hurry – those who want to study while attending to other commitments of work or personal life. .

The best Philosophy Online PhD programs

This list of the best online Philosophy PhD programs is based on analyzing the universities that do offer this program online. Of course, it must be noted that while many universities offer this course, not all of them offer the online option. The universities on this list are all highly accredited and respected institutions, and they all provide an excellent education in Philosophy. So if you’re looking for the best online Philosophy Ph.D program, you can find a suitable one here.

The Ph.D. in Philosophy at Birmingham University is a research-intensive degree that equips students with the right skills to pursue their goals in career or personal interests.  Birmingham University is a top-rated university for Philosophy Ph.Ds, and you can expect excellent education and research opportunities from the faculty. The faculty are experienced and passionate about their work, and you’ll be able to learn from the best while you’re in the program.

The program is highly competitive as the university accepts only a limited number of students each year, meaning they only admit not everyone but the very best.

You can choose to study for your Philosophy Ph.D. in the traditional PhD approach, or through the PhD by Papers option. The latter means that you’ll have the chance to submit thematically unified papers on a range of topics, and you’ll also be given the opportunity to attend research seminars and present your papers. Either way, you’ll be supervised by a team of experienced academics, and you’ll have access to world-class Ph.D support.

Birmingham is among the very first Philosophy departments to offer a PhD by Papers option in the United Kingdom. This style of PhD thesis is common in the US and students really love it. But not many UK Philosophy departments are offering it.

The program’s supervision is organized into the following areas:

  • Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science
  • Philosophy of Language
  • Philosophy of Logic
  • Philosophy of Mathematics
  • Moral Philosophy (theoretical and practical)
  • Metaphysics and Epistemology
  • Philosophy of Religion

It might interest you to learn that Birmingham’s department of Philosophy was ranked 1st in the United Kingdom in the “Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021,  based on Grade Point Average (Times Higher Education)”. So you can be confident that you’re going to be learning from some of the best philosophers you can think of.

The PhD in Philosophy from the University of Buffalo is a well structured doctorate that has led many graduates to exciting careers paths. Graduates with a Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy from the University of Buffalo are prepared for careers as college professors, researchers, or professionals in a variety of fields such as law, medicine, business, and government. The coursework for a PhD in Philosophy at the University of Buffalo includes studies in the history of Philosophy, ethical theory, logic, and more. Students also have the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of Philosophy such as metaphysics, epistemology, or aesthetics. With a PhD in Philosophy from the University at Buffalo, graduates are prepared to enter into a variety of intellectually stimulating and rewarding careers.

The University of Buffalo’s Philosophy department is widely acknowledged among Anglo-American departments in the field of Philosophy. It’s indeed one of the best in the core sub disciplines of Philosophy that also cut across historical periods. Special interests, deep philosophical orientations, and a strong bond between students and faculty are some of the attributes that define the Philosophy department as a whole.

The program applies a hybrid learning model, meaning some courses can be taken on campus while others can be taken online. Students are required to complete 72 credit hours over a 5 year period of full time study. The application fee is $75, but can vary with time.

This PhD Philosophy program is formally registered and duly recognized by the New York State Education Department (SED).

The doctoral program in Philosophy at Sofia University St.Kliment Ohridski is a prestigious program that is highly competitive, and only the most qualified students are admitted. The program offers a comprehensive education in Philosophy, with a focus on research and writing. Students in the program will have the opportunity to work with some of the most respected scholars in the field. The program is designed to prepare students for careers as philosophers, teachers, or researchers. Graduates of the program have gone on to careers in academia, government, and the private sector.

This program has an on-campus version as well as a distance learning version taught online in what the University describes as Bulgarian version.

Key areas of the Western Philosophy are covered in the course. Students have the option of writing their doctoral dissertation on a topic of their choice in the area of Eastern Philosophy. An expert in Eastern Philosophy is provided by the University for the students who would like to base their dissertation on this area of study.

While the faculty is responsible for the overall direction that the research takes, students are also given the freedom to pursue their preferences upon discussing with their supervisors.

The program enjoys recognition around the world, including North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The Philosophy PhD program at Sussex University is an excellent way to pursue advanced studies in this fascinating field. The Philosophy department at Sussex is one of the most highly regarded in the UK, and the online PhD program offers a flexible and convenient way to earn your PhD. The curriculum is designed to provide a broad foundation in the history of Philosophy, as well as in-depth knowledge of specific areas of interest. You will have the opportunity to work with leading scholars in the field, and the program provides ample opportunity for independent research. Whether you are interested in ancient Philosophy or contemporary issues, a Philosophy PhD at Sussex University will give you the tools you need to become a leading thinker in the field.

The Philosophy department is friendly, inclusive and open minded, like all the departments across the programs in this list. These attributes are important for a PhD program like this  where studies are based on subjects that require a lively  environment where students can comfortably engage in critical thinking plus healthy sharing.

Students get a chance to work with some of the most accomplished scholars, some of whom are working on revolutionary projects. Weekly workshops provide the perfect environment for students and faculty to engage in robust discussions that bring out the best in the program.

A thesis of 80,000 words is the climax of this program, signaling the end of a beautiful PhD Philosophy journey that will open doors to lucrative opportunities. Should your thesis project workload demand, the faculty can allow you to work with up to two supervisors .

Some of the research experiences at Sussex University’s Philosophy department include but are not limited to;

  • Political Philosophy
  • Epistemology
  • Post-Kantian Philosophy
  • Islamic Philosophy
  • Feminist Philosophy; sex and gender
  • Philosophy of logic

The Philosophy PhD at Staffordshire University is designed to help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field of philosophy. The program is delivered in a flexible manner, allowing you to study at your own pace and from anywhere in the world.

This program is best suited for students who are interested in pursuing the with a keen interest the below areas of Philosophy:

  • The work of Friedrich Nietzsche
  • Phenomenology (especially Heidegger)
  • Poststructuralism
  • The work of Michel Foucault
  • The work of Michel Serres
  • Posthumanism
  • French epistemology and Philosophy of science
  • Theory and practice based Philosophy subjects

One of the best things about the Philosophy program at Staffordshire University is that students are allocated a lead supervisor plus up to two other supervisors in support capacity. The supervisors are committed to assisting their students to create a strong foundation and build up towards solid success not only in the classroom but also in their career goals.

Besides the core research , students are also expected to participate in departmental activities. This could be anything from contributing in research seminars to taking part in reading groups with fellow students. You might also be called  upon to help organize conferences and play active roles in the coordination of visiting speakers.

Philosophy is perhaps one of the most interesting areas of study. A PhD in philosophy makes it even more exciting as it propels your specialization to the highest level. Besides unlocking a world of opportunities, you also get to appreciate the finer aspects that define our lives. Not long ago, many aspiring PhD Philosophy students could not have fulfilled their dreams of reaching this level. But things have changed these days and now the availability of online PhD programs in Philosophy means that the costs have come down considerably, making it accessible for many people who may not have been able to afford it.

Cost is not the only parameter that makes this a great time to pursue online PhD Philosophy programs.  It’s also about convenience. For those who are passionate about studying philosophy to the highest level but have no time or do not wish to attend in person full-time, then these programs no doubt present the perfect opportunity to fulfill your desires.

Yelena Skosyrskih

PHD in Economics, Associate Professor, Department of Business Process Management, Faculty of Market Technologies IOM

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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.

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Ph.D. in Philosophy Online

best online phd in philosophy

By Nikita Nath

Updated january 16, 2024.

best online phd in philosophy

Nikita Nath

Content Writer, Psychologist

Nikita is a psychologist working primarily with children using a child rights-based approach. She also writes content for various websites and blogs on diverse topics, focusing primarily on academia. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, and discovering different coffee-making techniques.

Bachelors in English, Journalism, and Psychology; Masters in psychology with clinical specialization

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In the discipline of philosophy, students learn to systematically study fundamental and general questions about reason, knowledge, existence, and mind. A Ph.D. in philosophy online enables students to continue their passion for the field with specializations like social philosophy, ethical philosophy, legal philosophy, etc. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 57% of people engaged in philosophy and religious careers have advanced degrees[1] because employers seek responsibility, keenness of mind, and the ability to understand matters surrounding us, all of which a doctoral degree provides. After an online Ph.D. in philosophy, one can work in management, legal services, healthcare, marketing, business, finance, community and social service, and other diverse occupations.

Philosophy Online

Best Ph.D. in Philosophy Online Programs

Finding the right Ph.D. in philosophy online USA or elsewhere, could present students with a wide range of career and research opportunities. Therefore, it is essential to find a college that is reputed, has experienced and qualified faculty, provides excellent research facilities, allows access to mentors and guides, and is accredited and affordable. Bearing these and other factors in mind, some of the best Ph.D. in philosophy online programs in the country are: *

University at Buffalo

Loyola university chicago, institute of lutheran theology, union institute & university, faulkner university, california institute of integral studies, albany medical college, institute for doctoral studies in the visual arts.

Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page . 

What to Expect from Ph.D. in Philosophy Online Programs

The online Ph.D. in philosophy is an advanced degree program that leads to occupations in almost all spheres of life. The curriculum of this doctorate ranges from around 42 to 72 credits covering the core theological and biblical foundation, along with different academic specializations and choices of additional elective courses. Students can expect to take courses on metaphysics, ethics, historical concepts, epistemology, and various topics in philosophy.

The Ph.D. philosophy online also entails passing the qualifying exam, an oral defense of a thesis proposal, a written thesis approved by the department, and an oral defense of the written dissertation. All these factors together could determine the length of the program. Although Ph.D. students are allowed to customize or tailor their degrees to align with their interests and objectives, most programs will have the following common components:

(a) Coursework

The coursework for a Ph.D. in philosophy focuses on the history of philosophy, logic, ethical theory, etc. Students can customize their coursework depending on their specialization and research topic.

(b) Teaching

At some institutions, teaching for a prescribed minimum duration is mandatory. Teaching benefits students who wish to become philosophy teachers after they earn their doctorate.

(c) Research Seminars

Most colleges have a certain requirement for students to attend research seminars. These research seminars help them expand their knowledge in the field and gain additional insights on how, where, and what to research and valuable information for their dissertations.

(d) Dissertation

A dissertation is a crucial part of every Ph.D. program. Students are required to work with their supervisors, mentors, or guides to prepare their dissertations and then defend them in front of select committees or a panel of professionals.

Some past research and dissertation topics online philosophy doctorate programs have brought forth include:

  • Sociological Functionalism
  • Human Life and Culture
  • Reconstructing The Meaning of Loneliness
  • Religion Paramount for People
  • Evaluating Life Existence
  • Ethics Behind Cyber-Currency Applications
  • Pros And Cons of Utilitarianism
  • Social Media Affect People’s Moral Behavior
  • Logic and Metaphysics
  • Boosting Creativity
  • Reconstructing the Meaning of Loneliness
  • Social Development of Loneliness
  • Factors Of Morality and Religion
  • Ideal Society- Plato’s Philosophy
  • Customs of Dowry Eliminated from the Minds of People
  • Exploring Women’s Perspective on Feminist Philosophy
  • Value of Truth
  • In-Depth Knowledge of Making Human Life Meaningful
  • Separation of Social Behavior and Ethics

Students interested in pursuing an online philosophy doctorate can read the Guide to Ph.D. Programs for information on this advanced degree.

Areas of Specialization in Ph.D. in Philosophy Online Programs

Specializations are a way of gaining in-depth knowledge in a particular field within a subject. Students currently enrolled in an online Ph.D. philosophy degree or prospective students should evaluate the different specialization options available to them in which they might be interested in gaining expertise. Ph.D. students can benefit from specializing in an area related to their dissertation topics as it will help in their research and coursework. Here are some examples to consider:

Why should I do a Ph.D. in Philosophy Online?

Doing a Ph.D. in philosophy online helps students build a good foundation for a research career. They will also be able to use their skills to assess policies on issues like the environment, society, and politics affecting society in recent times. The program’s curriculum helps students think deeply and complexly about society’s problems and learn how to develop well-reasoned and probable solutions. After completing a Ph.D., students will not only be able to find work in academic careers (mainly as R1 or R2 professors), but they also can venture into a host of different fields like law, business, social service, healthcare, etc.

An online Ph.D. philosophy gives students numerous opportunities to engage in in-depth, analytical, and independent thought about issues crucial to understanding one’s place in the natural and social world. The skills one would have acquired from a Ph.D. in philosophy online would be invaluable and much sought after. Apart from research and teaching skills, one would have the ability to:

  • display transferable skills like problem-solving, analytical thinking, and critical evaluation of texts;
  • demonstrate competence in diverse topics of philosophy like the philosophy of logic, moral philosophy, metaphysics, and epistemology;
  • partake in debates and discussions while critically examining texts related to ancient and contemporary philosophers, and efficiently put points forward;
  • build curricula in philosophy that shows deep philosophical orientation and connect the curricula with current events and requirements;
  • display professional ethics in the field of philosophy, and exhibit professionalism in all activities;
  • demonstrate in-depth knowledge of specifications and topics of dissertations taken up during coursework and be able to apply theories from them in a real-world application.

Free Courses for Ph.D. in Philosophy Online Students

When a student is at the Ph.D. level, they already have a certain foundational background in the field of philosophy. However, Ph.D. students would still need to be updated with current goings-on in the field and understand the developments happening in philosophical circles. To give themselves an edge, students could take free courses online to build upon their knowledge of philosophy or help with their research efforts. Examples of some free Ph.D. in philosophy online courses include:

How to get into the Ph.D. in Philosophy Online Program?

Entering a Ph.D. program can be quite competitive, and since it is an advanced degree, there is much more scrutiny when selecting students for admission into a program. Therefore, prospective doctoral students need to understand the Ph.D. in philosophy online admission requirements at the college they are applying to and prepare themselves to improve their chances of acceptance. Although a master’s in philosophy is not necessarily a requirement to enroll in the Ph.D. program, those with a master’s degree will have a competitive edge over other applicants. Admission requirements differ from one institution to another, but some of the most common ones across programs include:

  • A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0
  • Official academic transcripts of prior university-level degree(s)
  • GRE scores (not mandatory at some colleges)
  • A Statement of Purpose or Personal Statements
  • Samples of one or more written works (of around 15-25 pages on average)
  • At least an undergraduate degree with a major in philosophy or an equivalent level of preparation or degree
  • A Graduate Résumé
  • At least two years of work experience (required by some colleges)

Ph.D. in Philosophy Online No GRE Programs

Graduate Record Examination or GRE scores reflect the academic abilities of students pursuing advanced degrees. Universities consider the GRE score as a central component of applying to a doctoral degree program. However, several institutions across the U.S. have been increasingly waiving off this requirement or making it optional for students to submit their scores. Some such universities offering Ph.D. in philosophy online no GRE programs or making the GRE optional are the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , University of Minnesota , and Western University .

How Long does it take to complete a Ph.D. in Philosophy Online?

On average, it could take a doctoral student about five to six years to complete a Ph.D. in philosophy online program. During the program’s first two years, students devote their time to finishing their coursework. The rest of the time is devoted to research, writing a dissertation, and defending the dissertation. The duration of the program could depend on how much time individual components of the program take to complete, including the required credits that typically range between 42 and 72. The upper limit to complete the Ph.D. in philosophy is about eight years.

Accelerated Ph.D. in Philosophy Online Programs

Students can fast-track their Ph.D. programs in various ways, which will help them complete the program in a shorter duration. Many institutes providing Ph.D. programs follow a trimester-based or quarter-based system to offer their coursework. However, an accelerated Ph.D. in philosophy online program might not necessarily follow this schedule. Students will take classes throughout the years rather than specific periods and include summer classes. Fast-tracking the curriculum can save at least a year or two over a traditional program, allowing students to earn their Ph.Ds. in about 4 to 5 years (or less).

Accreditations for Ph.D. in Philosophy Online Programs

Accreditation is essentially a quality mark. When a college is accredited, it satisfies standards and offers its students a high-quality education, which employers value. Most institutions receive regional accreditation from one of the six independent accrediting organizations, which have been approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation ( CHEA ) and/or the U.S. Department of Education ( USDE ). These organizations are:

Philosophy programs may sometimes be programmatically accredited by agencies like the Association of Theological Schools . Read the Guide to College Accreditation to understand more about accreditation, its process, and its importance.

  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges ( NEASC )
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education ( MSCHE )
  • Higher Learning Commission ( HLC )
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC )
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities ( NWCCU )
  • Western Association of Schools anad Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission ( WSCUC )

How to Pay for a Ph.D. in Philosophy Online Program?

An online Ph.D. philosophy comes with a hefty price tag. The average cost of a doctorate in the United States is $98,800, according to Education Data . Even the cheapest Ph.D. in philosophy online could cost well over $20,000. A prospective online student might be unable to afford the high tuition and related research costs even if they have no other out-of-pocket costs such as transportation or accommodation. To ease the financial burden students may face, several individuals, organizations, businesses, and universities offer financial aid , which may include:

best online phd in philosophy

Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated academic and/or extracurricular excellence. Students prefer them because they do not require repayment and can be obtained relatively quickly and easily.

best online phd in philosophy

In contrast to a loan, a grant is a type of financial assistance that does not require repayment. And while scholarships are typically awarded for academic achievement, grants are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need.

best online phd in philosophy

Fellowships

Predoctoral fellowships, also known as Ph.D. fellowships, are available to doctoral students. Accepting a fellowship as a Ph.D. student usually comes with conditions, such as completing a specific research project or spending the awarded funds in a specific way. The most promising students can apply for one of several awards and fellowships aimed at assisting them in remaining in school and being recruited after graduation.

best online phd in philosophy

Work-Study Programs

Work-study programs enable students to earn money for college expenses while remaining enrolled full-time. Students earn money while gaining valuable work experience and bridging the gap between classroom theory and the workplace through these programs.

best online phd in philosophy

Graduate Assistantships

A graduate assistantship is an opportunity for students where they can work a specified number of hours per week in their college and receive either a tuition waiver or fee reduction. There are two kinds of assistantships – the graduate research assistantship and the graduate teaching assistantship.

best online phd in philosophy

Student Loans

Student loans are available to assist with the cost of a doctoral student’s education. They are available from various banks, credit unions, and government agencies. The cost of higher education will rise if a loan is obtained because of the interest that must be paid. Understand how one can apply for loan forgiveness to avoid repaying student loans by reading about Donors for Student Loans and Grants for Student Loans .

best online phd in philosophy

The Free Application For Federal Student Aid or FAFSA is an application for federal financial aid that all prospective and current college students can complete to check if they qualify or are eligible for aid. The FAFSA Student Aid guide explains more.

Fully Funded Ph.D. in Philosophy Online Programs

Ph.D. programs could take several years to complete, taking a toll on students’ finances. Therefore, looking for fully funded Ph.D. programs that pay for tuition and provide other monetary benefits is prudent. Getting admission into fully funded Ph.D. programs can be difficult for the student but not impossible. Here are some universities offering fully funded Ph.D. in philosophy online programs:

FAQs Related to the Ph.D. in Philosophy Online Program

How long does it take to complete a ph.d. in philosophy.

On average, it could take about five to six years to complete an online Ph.D. in philosophy. However, this timeline would depend on the student’s efficiency in completing their coursework and research and finishing their dissertation, including its defense.

What are the employment opportunities for a Ph.D. in philosophy graduate?

Out of the professionals employed in different philosophy careers, 57% are individuals with advanced degrees in philosophy[1]. The doctorate in philosophy enables one to work in a wide range of sectors, including business, education, healthcare, community service, law, religion, etc.

Do I need a master’s in philosophy to apply to a Ph.D. in philosophy?

No. One does not need to have a master’s in philosophy; having an undergraduate degree with a philosophy major is sufficient. However, someone with a master’s in philosophy will find it easier to enroll in the Ph.D. program and complete it faster.

How long does it take to complete the coursework in a Ph.D. program?

The first and second years are usually devoted to completing the coursework in the Ph.D. program. The exact duration could differ from student to student and the pace at which they take and complete their courses.

Should I do a Ph.D. in philosophy online?

A Ph.D. in philosophy online program is best suited for those who have full-time jobs or other commitments and do not want to give them up to be present in college physically. Online degrees are on par with traditional ones, with the same faculty often teaching both versions.

How do you get an online Ph.D. in philosophy?

To get an online Ph.D. in philosophy, one is required to go through the following basic steps:

Finish all required coursework, including those required for the chosen specialization and research topic.

Conduct research on the chosen topic.

Seek guidance from a faculty advisor/mentor.

Pass all comprehensive qualifying exams.

Do the dissertation.

Submit and defend the dissertation.

Career Opportunities and Salaries after a Ph.D. in Philosophy Online

Philosophy can be applied to a wide range of topics and life’s problems. Therefore, philosophy students can enter various occupations – from healthcare and law to education and business. Students can rest assured that the education, expertise, and skills they would have gathered from their philosophy Ph.D. programs will always be useful and can be applied in most sectors. Here are a few examples of careers one could take up, listed with their median annual salary and job growth (note that salaries mentioned are not necessarily for those with advanced degrees such as a Ph.D.):

Certifications and Licensing for Ph.D. in Philosophy Online Students

Individuals who hold board or professional certifications show the public and employers that they have the necessary knowledge and skills in their field. They are an excellent way to increase employability while also attracting higher pay. Students with a Ph.D. in philosophy online degree have no mandatory certification or licensing requirements. Nevertheless, when the opportunity arises, obtaining certification in a field that complements philosophy is always recommended.

Additional Resources for Ph.D. in Philosophy Online Students

The field of philosophy is vast and extends far beyond what the eye can see. Interacting and collaborating with like-minded individuals and eminent philosophers can thus yield new discoveries, narratives, and insights helpful to students and recent philosophy Ph.D. recipients. Joining a professional organization can also lead to internships, research grants, study resources, business leader mentorship, and other opportunities. These organizations can also help those researching for their Ph.D. programs or working on their dissertations. Here are some for Ph.D. in philosophy online students and graduates to consider:

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook for Philosophy & Religion

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Doctoral Program

glass bowl in hand

Stanford's Ph.D. program is among the world's best. Our graduate students receive their training in a lively community of philosophers engaged in a wide range of philosophical projects. Our Ph.D. program trains students in traditional core areas of philosophy and provides them with opportunities to explore many subfields such as the philosophy of literature, nineteenth-century German philosophy, and medieval philosophy.

Among other areas, we are exceptionally strong in Kant studies, the philosophy of action, ancient philosophy, logic, and the philosophy of science. We attract some of the best students from around the world and we turn them into accomplished philosophers ready to compete for the best jobs in a very tight job market.

The most up-to-date requirements are listed in   t he Bulletin .  

CHECK PHD REQUIREMENTS

From the 2020-2021 edition of Explore Degrees:

Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy

Prospective graduate students should see the  Office of Graduate Admissions  web site for information and application materials. 

The University's basic requirements for the Ph.D. degree including candidacy, residence, dissertation, and examination are discussed in the " Graduate Degrees " section of this bulletin.

University candidacy requirements, published in the " Candidacy " section of this bulletin, apply to all Ph.D. students. Admission to a doctoral degree program is preliminary to, and distinct from, admission to candidacy. Admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree is a judgment by the faculty in the department or school of the student's potential to successfully complete the requirements of the degree program. Students are expected to complete department qualifying procedures and apply for candidacy at the beginning of the seventh academic quarter, normally the Autumn Quarter of the student's third year.

Admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree is granted by the major department following a student's successful completion of qualifying procedures as determined by the department. Departmental policy determines procedures for subsequent attempts to become advanced to candidacy in the event that the student does not successfully complete the procedures. Failure to advance to candidacy results in the dismissal of the student from the doctoral program; see the " Guidelines for Dismissal of Graduate Students for Academic Reasons " section of this bulletin.

The requirements detailed here are department requirements. These requirements are meant to balance structure and flexibility in allowing students, in consultation with their  advisors , to take a path through the program that gives them a rigorous and broad philosophical education, with room to focus on areas of particular interest, and with an eye to completing the degree with an excellent dissertation and a solid preparation for a career in academic philosophy.

Normally, all courses used to satisfy the distribution requirements for the Philosophy Ph.D. are Stanford courses taken as part of a student's graduate program.  In special circumstances, a student may petition to use a very small number of graduate-level courses taken at other institutions to satisfy a distribution requirement.  To be approved for this purpose, the student’s work in such a graduate-level course would need to involve an appropriate subject matter and would need to be judged by the department to be at the level of an 'A' in a corresponding graduate-level course at Stanford.  

Courses used to satisfy any course requirement in Philosophy (except Teaching Methods and the summer Dissertation Development Seminar) must be passed with a letter grade of 'B-' or better (no satisfactory/no credit), except in the case of a course/seminar used to satisfy the third-year course/seminar requirement and taken for only 2 units. Such a reduced-unit third-year course/seminar must be taken credit/no credit. 

At the end of each year, the department reviews the progress of each student to determine whether the student is making satisfactory progress, and on that basis to make decisions about probationary status and termination from the program where appropriate.

Any student in one of the Ph.D. programs may apply for the M.A. when all University and department requirements have been met.

Proficiency Requirements

  • First-year Ph.D. Proseminar : a one quarter, topically focused seminar offered in Autumn Quarter, and required of all first-year students.
  • two courses in value theory including ethics, aesthetics, political philosophy, social philosophy, philosophy of law. At least one of the courses satisfying this distribution requirement must be in ethics or political philosophy.
  • Two courses in language, mind, and action. One course satisfying this requirement must be drawn from the language related courses, and one from mind and action related courses.
  • two courses in metaphysics and epistemology (including metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of science). At least one of the courses satisfying this requirement must be drawn from either metaphysics or epistemology.
  • Instructors indicate which courses may satisfy particular requirements. If a course potentially satisfies more than one requirement the student may use it for only one of those area requirements; no units may be double-counted. Students must develop broad competencies in all these areas. Those without strong backgrounds in these areas would normally satisfy these distribution requirements by taking more basic courses rather than highly specialized and focused courses. Students should consult with their advisor in making these course decisions, and be prepared to explain these decisions when reviewed for candidacy; see requirement 6 below.
  • Logic requirement:  PHIL 150  Mathematical Logic or equivalent.
  • History/logic requirement. One approved course each in ancient and modern philosophy, plus either another approved history of philosophy course or  PHIL 151  Metalogic.
  • Students should normally take at least 64 graduate level units at Stanford during their first six quarters (in many cases students would take more units than that) and of those total units, at least 49 units of course work are to be in the Philosophy department. These courses must be numbered above 110, but not including Teaching Methods ( PHIL 239  Teaching Methods in Philosophy) or affiliated courses. Units of Individual Directed Reading are normally not to be counted toward this 49-unit requirement unless there is special permission from the student's advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.
  •  Prior to candidacy, at least 3 units of work must be taken with each of four Stanford faculty members.

Writing Requirement: Second Year Paper

The second year paper should demonstrate good scholarship and argumentative rigor, and be a polished piece of writing approximately 8000 words in length. The second year paper need not bear any specific relationship to the dissertation. It may be a version of a prospective dissertation chapter, but this is not required. The final version must be turned in on the last class of the Second Year Paper Development Seminar in Summer Quarter of the second year. Extensions of this deadline require the consent of the instructor of the Second Year Paper Development Seminar and the Director of Graduate Studies and are only granted in exceptional cases (e.g., documented illness, family crisis). The final paper is read by a committee of two faculty members and it is an important consideration in the department’s decision on the student’s candidacy. 

Teaching Assistancy

A minimum of five quarters of teaching assistancy are required for the Ph.D. Normally one of these quarters is as a teaching assistant for the Philosophy Department's Writing in the Major course,  PHIL 80  Mind, Matter, and Meaning. It is expected that students not teach in their first year and that they teach no more than two quarters in their second year. Students are required to take  PHIL 239  Teaching Methods in Philosophy during Spring Quarter of their first year and during Autumn Quarter of their second year. Teaching is an important part of students’ preparation to be professional philosophers.

Review at the End of the Second Year for Advancement to Candidacy

The faculty's review of each student includes a review of the student's record, an assessment of the second year paper, and an assessment of the student's preparation for work in her/his intended area of specialization, as well as recommendations of additional preparation, if necessary.

To continue in the Ph.D. program, each student must apply for candidacy at the beginning of the sixth academic quarter, normally the Spring Quarter of the student's second year. Students may be approved for or denied candidacy by the end of that quarter by the department. In some cases, where there are only one or two outstanding deficiencies, the department may defer the candidacy decision and require the student to re-apply for candidacy in a subsequent quarter. In such cases, definite conditions for the candidacy re-application must be specified, and the student must work with the advisor and the DGS to meet those conditions in a timely fashion. A failure to maintain timely progress in satisfying the specified conditions constitutes grounds for withholding travel and discretionary funds and for a denial of advancement to candidacy.

  • Writing Seminar : In the Summer Quarter after the second year, students are required to attend the Second Year Paper Development Seminar. The seminar is intended to help students complete their second year papers. 
  • Upon completion of the summer writing seminar, students must sign up for independent study credit,  PHIL 240  Individual Work for Graduate Students, with their respective advisors each quarter. A plan at the beginning, and a report at the end, of each quarter must be signed by both student and advisor and submitted to the graduate administrator for inclusion in the student's file. This is the process every quarter until the completion of the departmental oral.
  • In Autumn and Winter quarters of the third year, students register in and satisfactorily complete  PHIL 301  Dissertation Development Proseminar. Students meet to present their work in progress and discuss their thesis project. Participation in these seminars is required.
  • During the third and fourth years in the program, a student should complete at least three graduate-level courses/seminars, at least two of them in philosophy (a course outside philosophy can be approved by the advisor), and at least two of them in the third year. The three seminars can be taken credit/no-credit for reduced (2) units. Courses required for candidacy are not counted toward satisfaction of this requirement. This light load of courses allows students to deepen their philosophical training while keeping time free for thesis research.

Dissertation Work and Defense

The third and following years are devoted to dissertation work. The few requirements in this segment of the program are milestones to encourage students and advisors to ensure that the project is on track.

  • Dissertation Proposal— By Spring Quarter of the third year, students should have selected a dissertation topic and committee. A proposal sketching the topic, status, and plan for the thesis project, as well as an annotated bibliography or literature review indicating familiarity with the relevant literature, must be received by the committee one week before the meeting on graduate student progress late in Spring Quarter. The dissertation proposal and the reading committee's report on it will constitute a substantial portion of the third year review.
  • Departmental Oral— During Autumn Quarter of the fourth year, students take an oral examination based on at least 30 pages of written work, in addition to the proposal. The aim of the exam is to help the student arrive at an acceptable plan for the dissertation and to make sure that student, thesis topic, and advisors make a reasonable fit. It is an important chance for the student to clarify their goals and intentions with the entire committee present.
  • Fourth-Year Colloquium— No later than Spring Quarter of the fourth year, students present a research paper in a 60-minute seminar open to the entire department. This paper should be on an aspect of the student's dissertation research. This is an opportunity for the student to make their work known to the wider department, and to explain their ideas to a general philosophical audience.
  • University Oral Exam— Ph.D. students must submit a completed draft of the dissertation to the reading committee at least one month before the student expects to defend the thesis in the University oral exam. If the student is given consent to go forward, the University oral can take place approximately two weeks later. A portion of the exam consists of a student presentation based on the dissertation and is open to the public. A closed question period follows. If the draft is ready by Autumn Quarter of the fourth year, the student may request that the University oral count as the department oral.

Below are yearly lists of courses which the faculty have approved to fulfill distribution requirements in these areas: value theory (including ethics, aesthetics, political philosophy, social philosophy, philosophy of law); language; mind and action; metaphysics and epistemology (including metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of science); logic; ancient philosophy; modern philosophy.

The most up-to-date requirements are listed in  t he Bulletin .  

Ph.D. Minor in Philosophy

To obtain a Ph.D. minor in Philosophy, students must follow these procedures:

  • Consult with the Director of Graduate Study to establish eligibility, and select a suitable  advisor .
  • 30 units of courses in the Department of Philosophy with a letter grade of 'B-' or better in each course. No more than 3 units of directed reading may be counted in the 30-unit requirement.
  • Philosophy of science
  • Ethics, value theory, and moral and political philosophy
  • Metaphysics and epistemology
  • Language, mind and action
  • History of philosophy
  • Two additional courses numbered over 199 to be taken in one of those (b) six areas.
  • A faculty member from the Department of Philosophy (usually the student's advisor) serves on the student's doctoral oral examination committee and may request that up to one third of this examination be devoted to the minor subject.
  • Paperwork for the minor must be submitted to the department office before beginning the program.

Interdisciplinary Study

The department supports interdisciplinary study. Courses in Stanford's other departments and programs may be counted towards the degree, and course requirements in Philosophy are designed to allow students considerable freedom in taking such courses. Dissertation committees may include members from other departments. Where special needs arise, the department is committed to making it possible for students to obtain a philosophical education and to meet their interdisciplinary goals. Students are advised to consult their advisors and the department's student services office for assistance.

Graduate Program in Cognitive Science

Philosophy participates with the departments of Computer Science, Linguistics, and Psychology in an interdisciplinary program in Cognitive Science. It is intended to provide an interdisciplinary education, as well as a deeper concentration in philosophy, and is open to doctoral students. Students who complete the requirements within Philosophy and the Cognitive Science requirements receive a special designation in Cognitive Science along with the Ph.D. in Philosophy. To receive this field designation, students must complete 30 units of approved courses, 18 of which must be taken in two disciplines outside of philosophy. The list of approved courses can be obtained from the Cognitive Science program located in the Department of Psychology.

Special Track in Philosophy and Symbolic Systems

Students interested in interdisciplinary work relating philosophy to artificial intelligence, cognitive science, computer science, linguistics, or logic may pursue a degree in this program.

Prerequisites—Admitted students should have covered the equivalent of the core of the undergraduate Symbolic Systems Program requirements as described in the " Symbolic Systems " section of the Stanford Bulletin, including courses in artificial intelligence (AI), cognitive science, linguistics, logic, and philosophy. The graduate program is designed with this background in mind. Students missing part of this background may need additional course work. In addition to the required course work listed in the bulletin, the Ph.D. requirements are the same as for the regular program, with the exception that one course in value theory and one course in history may be omitted.

Joint Program in Ancient Philosophy

This program is jointly administered by the Departments of Classics and Philosophy and is overseen by a joint committee composed of members of both departments:

  •         Christopher Bobonich , Philosophy (Ancient Greek Philosophy, Ethics)
  •         Alan Code , Philosophy, Philosophy (Ancient Greek Philosophy, Metaphysics)
  •         Reviel Netz , Classics (History of Greek and Pre-Modern Mathematics)
  •         Andrea Nightingale , Classics, (Greek and Roman Philosophy and Literature)
  •        Josh Ober , Classics and Political Science (Greek Political Thought, Democratic Theory)

It provides students with the training, specialist skills, and knowledge needed for research and teaching in ancient philosophy while producing scholars who are fully trained as either philosophers with a strong specialization in ancient languages and philology, or classicists with a concentration in philosophy.

Students are admitted to the program by either department. Graduate students admitted by the Philosophy department receive their Ph.D. from the Philosophy department; those admitted by the Classics department receive their Ph.D. from the Classics department. For Philosophy graduate students, this program provides training in classical languages, literature, culture, and history. For Classics graduate students, this program provides training in the history of philosophy and in contemporary philosophy.

Each student in the program is advised by a committee consisting of one professor in each department.

Requirements for Philosophy Graduate Students: These are the same as the proficiency requirements for the Ph.D. in Philosophy.

One year of Greek is a requirement for admission to the program. If students have had a year of Latin, they are required to take 3 courses in second- or third-year Greek or Latin, at least one of which must be in Latin. If they have not had a year of Latin, they are then required to complete a year of Latin, and take two courses in second- or third-year Greek or Latin.

Students are also required to take at least three courses in ancient philosophy at the 200 level or above, one of which must be in the Classics department and two of which must be in the Philosophy department.

Ph.D. Subplan in History and Philosophy of Science

Graduate students in the Philosophy Ph.D. program may pursue a Ph.D. subplan in History and Philosophy of Science. The subplan is declared in Axess and subplan designations appear on the official transcript, but are not printed on the diploma.

1.  Attendance at the HPS colloquium series. 2.  Philosophy of Science courses.  Select one of the following:

  • PHIL 263 Significant Figures in Philosophy of Science: Einstein
  • PHIL 264: Central Topics in the Philosophy of Science: Theory and Evidence
  • PHIL 264A: Central Topics in Philosophy of Science: Causation
  • PHIL 265: Philosophy of Physics: Space and Time
  • PHIL 265C: Philosophy of Physics: Probability and Relativity
  • PHIL 266: Probability: Ten Great Ideas About Chance
  • PHIL 267A:  Philosophy of Biology
  • PHIL 267B: Philosophy, Biology, and Behavior

3.  One elective seminar in the history of science. 4.  One elective seminar (in addition to the course satisfying requirement 2) in philosophy of science.

The PhD program provide 5 years of  financial support . We also try to provide support for our sixth year students and beyond though we cannot guarantee such support. In addition to covering tuition, providing a stipend, and covering Stanford's health insurance, we provide additional funds for books, computer equipment, and conference travel expenses. Some of the financial support is provided through requiring you to teach; however, our teaching requirement is quite low and we believe that this is a significant advantage of our program.

Stanford Support Programs

Additional support, such as advances, medical and emergency grants for Grad Students are available through the Financial Aid Office. The University has created the following programs specifically for graduate students dealing with challenging financial situations.

Graduate Financial Aid  homepage :

https://financialaid.stanford.edu/grad/funding/

Cash Advance:  https://sfs.stanford.edu/gradcashadvance

Emergency grant-in-aid :  https://financialaid.stanford.edu/pdf/emergencygrant-in-aid.pdf, family grants:  https://financialaid.stanford.edu/pdf/gradfamilygrant2021.pdf, housing loans:  https://financialaid.stanford.edu/loans/other/gradhousing.html, program characteristics.

Our program is well known for its small size, streamlined teaching requirements, and low average time to degree.

The program regulations are designed to efficiently provide students with a broad base in their first two years. In the third year students transition to working on their dissertations. During the summer prior to the third year, students are required to attend a dissertation development seminar. This seminar introduces students to what is involved in writing a dissertation. During the third year the course load drops to just under one course per quarter.

The rest of the time is spent working closely with a faculty member, or a couple of faculty members, on the student's area of research interest. The goal of the third year is that this process of intensive research and one-on-one interaction will generate a topic and proposal for the dissertation. During the fourth and fifth year the student is not required to take any courses and he or she focusses exclusively on research and writing on the dissertation.

aerial view of Stanford campus

Stanford University

Being a part of  Stanford University  means that students have access to one of the premier education institutions in the world. Stanford is replete with top departments in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. In addition, our professional schools, such as the  Stanford Law School , are among the best. The range of research in a variety of areas, many of which touch on or relate to philosophical issues, is simply astounding. Students have the freedom to take courses across the university. Graduate students also regularly earn joint degrees with other programs.

Best Accredited Online Ph.D. Programs 2024

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Contributing Writer

Learn about our editorial process .

Rachel Miller

Updated January 2, 2024

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Contributing Editor

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Turn Your Dreams Into Reality

Take our quiz and we'll do the homework for you! Compare your school matches and apply to your top choice today.

A Ph.D., or doctor of philosophy, is the highest level of academic degree that you can attain. Consisting primarily of research, a Ph.D. prepares you for a career in academia or research in the field you study.

Students who choose to pursue a Ph.D. online will find it can be completed in less time. Online students also get the added benefit of being able to complete their work from the comfort of home. The overall cost may also be less compared to an in-person program.

We've compiled a list of the best accredited online Ph.D. programs to help you start your search.

Are Online Ph.D. Programs Worth It?

An online Ph.D. program is an ideal choice if you want to balance your career and family responsibilities along with your education.

While there are some preconceived notions that online programs aren't legitimate, as long as the program you choose is accredited, the degree is the same as one earned in person.

While the annual tuition cost to earn a Ph.D. online averages $12,394 for a public institution and $26,621 for a private university, doctoral graduates enjoy a lower unemployment rate and higher weekly salary than those with less education, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Did You Know...

  • According to the BLS , workers with a doctoral degree earned a median of $651 more per week than workers with a bachelor's degree in 2022.
  • Doctorate-holders boast some of the lowest unemployment rates at 1%.
  • In 2019, research found that 39.8% of graduate students were enrolled in online learning.
  • The number of doctorates awarded between 2020 and 2021 dropped by 5.4%.
  • Not all Ph.D.-holders end up working in academia.

Explore Our Featured Online Doctoral Programs

Top schools for online accredited ph.d. programs.

We use datasets from sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such. All data is current as of the date this article was published. Program-specific information may vary.

Capitol Technology University

  • Online + Campus

Cost per Credit: In-State | $950 Out-of-State | $950

Credits to Graduate: 60

Founded in 1927, Capitol Technology University features 40 doctoral programs, which you can complete online. Majors include aeronautical science, artificial intelligence, computer science, cybersecurity, military leadership, occupation risk management, and supply chain management. 

Programs require about 60 credits, but you can choose from a doctoral degree without any research requirements. Coursework focuses on doctoral research, proposal writing, and oral defense. Capitol also offers a dual master's and Ph.D. in technology combination program. 

Admission requirements vary, but generally you need a master's degree in a related major and five years of work experience.

Clemson University

  • Clemson, SC

Cost per Credit: In-State | $515-$1,319 Out-of-State | $515-$1,319

Clemson's graduate catalog features 52 doctoral programs with the flexibility to study on campus, online, or in a hybrid format. Fields like digital history, entomology, genetics, or business administration offer on-campus programs for traditional doctoral students. You have the opportunity to study virtually in nine doctoral programs, including nursing, educational leadership, and parks, recreation and tourism management.

To obtain a doctoral degree, candidates must complete approximately 60 credits over a span of 3-5 years and successfully defend their dissertation.

Keiser University

  • Fort Lauderdale, FL

Total Cost: In-State | $31,712 Out-of-State | $31,712

Keiser University , which was established in 1977, offers 19 flexible doctoral degrees. You can attend classes on the 100-acre main campus or study at one of 23 satellite campuses. Programs offer evening, online, and daytime courses. Keiser's “student first” policy lets you take 1-2 classes at a time, depending on your availability. It takes about 2-5 years to earn your doctoral degree.

To apply for a doctoral program, you need to submit your master's or doctoral transcripts, a resume, personal statement, and an application with a fee.

Mississippi State University

  • Mississippi State, MS

Cost per Credit: In-State | $537 Out-of-State | $1,074-$1,468

Credits to Graduate: 60-65

The public research university MSU , which began admitting students in 1880 as an Agricultural and Mechanical College, now boasts 71 doctoral degrees, including 15 virtual programs. Ph.D. programs include engineering, computer science, agricultural sciences, mathematical sciences, and educational leadership. In addition to coursework, you'll need to complete a dissertation and defense on an independent research topic.

As a doctoral candidate, you can access ample research opportunities. The Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station runs 16 stations throughout the state. Applicants need a recommended 3.4 GPA for their master's-level coursework.

Nova Southeastern University

Cost per Credit: In-State | $969-$1,386 Out-of-State | $969-$1,386

Credits to Graduate: 51-64

Nova Southeastern University , the largest private research university in Florida, boasts 14 colleges and 11 campuses. NSU offers 37 doctoral programs, with 19 of them available online. Earn a doctoral degree online in subjects such as criminal justice, computer science, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology. 

Departments such as the NSU Fischler College of Education and the School of Criminal Justice offer dissertation resources, including templates and mentor support. Each program sets distinct admission requirements, but you generally need a master's degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Old Dominion University

  • Norfolk, VA

Cost per Credit: In-State | $599 Out-of-State | $1,439

Credits to Graduate: 31-60 

Old Dominion University offers 10 online doctoral programs through its seven colleges and three schools. The program covers a range of subjects such as nursing, community college leadership, educational leadership, engineering management, English, instruction design and technology, and workforce and organizational development. 

Admission requirements vary across programs. For instance, the Ph.D. in business administration requires GMAT or GRE scores, while the Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction asks applicants to submit master's transcripts, an essay, and three references.

Saybrook University

  • Pasadena, CA

Cost per Credit: In-State | $1,416-$1,590 Out-of-State | $1,416-$1,590

Credits to Graduate: 54-76

Offering hybrid online degrees since 1970, Saybrook University now delivers 11 online doctoral degrees. You can earn a doctoral degree completely online or in a hybrid format with a low-residency option.

Doctoral students can pursue studies in counseling, integrative social work, organizational systems, mind-body medicine, integrative and functional nutrition, psychology, and wellness. To get admitted, you need at least a master's degree. And you complete up to 76 credits over about 4-5 years.

Texas Tech University

  • Lubbock, TX

Cost per Semester: In-State | $2,107-$6,877 Out-of-State | $2,107-$6,877

Credits to Graduate: 60-96

Created in 1923, Texas Tech's 13 colleges and schools offer 98 doctoral degrees. Texas Tech offers doctoral degrees in agricultural and applied economics, animal science, computer science, curriculum and instruction, and special education. 

Many of the doctoral programs, such as the Ph.D. in psychology and Ph.D. in wind science and engineering, offer STEM OPT Extension eligibility to extend your F-1 visa for up to two years. Programs require about 60 credits on average and a dissertation. Depending on the program, you may need to submit GRE scores to apply.

How We Rank Schools

Accredited Schools Online uses a custom ranking system to evaluate schools on their quality, affordability, and reputation.

We rank schools using factors like graduation rate, admission rate, tuition costs, financial aid, and program offerings. All our ranked schools hold institutional accreditation .

For this page, we created a directory of online accredited Ph.D. programs that meet our criteria. The list is organized alphabetically rather than ranked.

Learn more about how we create school rankings on our methodology page .

Does Accreditation Matter for Online Ph.D. Programs?

A college is accredited after being recognized by an independent institution that verifies the school's courses and programs meet set quality standards.

The school you choose must be accredited in order for your Ph.D. to be recognized by employers , earn professional licensures, and qualify you for federal financial aid.

Legitimate accreditors are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

How Much Does an Online Ph.D. Cost?

In general, you can expect to pay around $13,000-$30,000 per year in tuition and fees for your online Ph.D.

Several factors affect how much your Ph.D. program will cost, including:

  • Whether the program is fully funded
  • Whether your school is public or private
  • Whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student
  • How long your program lasts (most Ph.D. programs take 5-7 years to complete)
  • How much financial aid you get

While many in-person and online doctoral programs in the U.S. are fully funded, these tend to be highly competitive.

One way to save money on your online Ph.D. is to attend a program that offers in-state tuition to residents. Make sure you submit the FAFSA each year so you can secure federal financial aid .

You may also need to budget for occasional travel to and from campus and research sites, especially as you work on your dissertation.

What's the Difference Between a Ph.D. and a Doctorate?

While a Ph.D. and a doctoral degree, or doctorate, both signify the same level of education completed, their uses are different.

Doctorate is the broader term — a Ph.D. is a type of doctorate. Specifically, a Ph.D. is an academic degree that prepares you for a career in research or teaching in your field of study (such as science, English, or economics).

Besides a Ph.D., other types of doctorates include a doctor of medicine (MD), a doctor of education (Ed.D.), and a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.). These degrees are typically used in either an academic or professional setting.

Online Ph.D. Programs That Don't Require a Dissertation

A dissertation is a final written project culminating in a student's original research at the end of their Ph.D. program. A dissertation is typically presented and defended by its author. It's typically required for degrees with an academic or research focus.

Not all Ph.D. programs require a dissertation. For example, some Ph.D. programs in humanities, education, business administration, and criminal justice require simple or no dissertations for a quicker completion time .

What Jobs Can You Get After Earning an Online Ph.D.?

Once you finish your online doctoral program, you can explore a variety of career paths both within and outside academia.

Many Ph.D. graduates, especially those who studied the humanities, go on to become professors. Other popular roles include administrator, scientist, and psychologist.

Graduates of online Ph.D. programs earn a relatively high average base salary of $105,000 a year, according to Payscale .

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Ph.D. Programs

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What is the quickest Ph.D. to get?

The quickest Ph.D. to earn are those that award professional degrees and don't require extensive research projects or dissertations at completion. These Ph.D. programs can include accounting, business, education, and media.

To finish your degree faster, you can also look for accelerated programs that quicken the pace of a program and shorten the time it takes to complete.

Are online doctoral programs legit?

If the online doctoral program is accredited, it is legitimate. Accreditation ensures that the program meets the rigorous educational standards of other comparative doctoral programs.

With accreditation, employers and other institutions of higher learning will recognize your degree. As more universities turn toward online programs to serve a more diverse student population, there are a growing number of legitimate, accredited online Ph.D. programs.

How long are online Ph.D. programs?

Online Ph.D. programs, like any other doctoral program, can vary in length but typically take 5-7 years to complete. A doctoral degree balances coursework with research. Usually, students must meet a certain number of course requirements before they can start original research.

While coursework may take only a year or two, writing a dissertation that meets the program requirements varies from candidate to candidate.

Can I earn my Ph.D. entirely online?

Yes, many accredited colleges and universities offer 100% online Ph.D. programs. That said, some programs may require on-campus experiences, such as library research and a dissertation defense.

What do employers think of online doctoral programs?

It takes a high level of discipline and persistence to obtain a graduate degree, no matter the context. Most employers will recognize and value the hard work it takes to get a Ph.D., whether you completed your doctorate online or in person.

Make sure you research potential programs. If you're attending an accredited, well-regarded school, employers will value your online Ph.D. just as much as a traditional one.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Accredited Schools Online. Page last reviewed November 20, 2023.

Popular Resources

Whether you’re looking to earn your online degree or you’re a parent looking for answers, you can find all of your questions covered here. Explore these resources to help you make informed decisions and prepare for whatever is thrown your way.

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The APA Guide to Graduate Programs in Philosophy

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The  Guide to Graduate Programs in Philosophy , published biennially until the early 2000s, was relaunched in 2012 as an annual online resource. The guide compiles data on both doctoral and master’s degree programs in philosophy at institutions throughout the US and Canada, offering prospective students, job candidates, and other members of the profession a rich resource on post-graduate education and employment in philosophy. 

All data in the guide are self-reported by representatives of the institutions. Any changes or corrections should be sent directly to them.

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Philosophy, PhD

Zanvyl krieger school of arts and sciences.

When the Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876, it was the first university in the United States designed as a center for research and doctoral education. Among its earliest graduate students were Josiah Royce and John Dewey; C.S. Peirce was an early faculty member. The William H. Miller III Department of Philosophy continues this tradition today, preparing graduate students to make original contributions to the field and to pursue careers in college and university teaching. With the support of an unprecedented gift by alumnus William H. Miller, the Department has increased guaranteed PhD funding to six years and is expanding the size and breadth of the faculty.

Usually there are about 15 graduate students taking courses and seminars, and another 15 at various stages in the writing of their dissertations. Because classes are small, we look for students who wish to take advantage of the individual attention available here. The Department’s purpose is to provide opportunities for students to develop special interests within a program that also ensures breadth of knowledge. We offer classes, seminars, and directed study in the history of ancient, modern, and contemporary Western philosophy, and in the systematic areas of epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, philosophy of science, philosophy of physics, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, philosophy of mathematics, mathematical logic, and aesthetics. Courses with relevance to philosophy are frequently offered in other departments, and in certain circumstances these may be used toward the PhD or MA course requirements in philosophy.

For more information on the requirements for the PhD, financial aid, and other support refer to the Department's website .

Admission Requirements

While an undergraduate major in philosophy is good preparation for graduate study in the department, applications are welcomed from students with other majors whose interests are now turning toward philosophy.

To apply, please read the information below and on the Graduate Admissions website , and complete the application online.

If applying to more than one department, please send complete application materials for each department. All application documents must be provided in English (either the original or translations of the original documents). If you are unable to secure translations to English, we recommend that you contact World Education Services .

All application materials and supporting documents should be uploaded through the online application; these include:

  • Online application
  • Application fee
  • Statement of Purpose (briefly state your area of interest at the beginning of your Statement of Purpose; upload through the online application)
  • Letters of recommendation (three): Letters of recommendation should be submitted and uploaded electronically following the instructions in the online application.
  • Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts must be uploaded through the online application. Applications will be ready for review with unofficial transcripts, but official transcripts will be required if an offer of admission is made
  • GRE scores (optional)
  • TOEFL or IELTS score (for international applicants)
  • Sample of work (the sample should reflect the applicant’s area of interest, and generally does not have to be more than 20 pages in length).

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is January 15.  Admissions decisions will be made around March 15.

For questions or inquiries about the online application and supporting documents, contact the Graduate Admissions office using the online contact form . You may also contact the Department's administrative office at [email protected] or 410-516-7524.

Philosophy | Home

Ph.D. Philosophy

Statue of Aristotle

Earn your doctorate from one of the most distinguished philosophy programs in the English-speaking world. Graduates from our program hold faculty positions at colleges and universities around the world.

About the Program

The study of philosophy is central to the mission of every great university. Through an excellent undergraduate major and our internationally distinguished graduate program, we offer students abundant opportunities to think deeply, analytically, and autonomously about questions fundamental to the place of the person in the natural and social world. As one of the nation's premier centers for original philosophical research, we are the academic home to a wonderfully dynamic and engaged community of students in daily interaction with a faculty of world-renowned philosophers.

Currently, the Ph.D. in Philosophy program is not offered to any online students. All degree requirements must be completed in-person. If you have any questions about this, feel free to email [email protected]

Areas of Study

Current areas of excellence in the doctoral program include ethics, political philosophy, the philosophy of mind and cognitive science, epistemology, metaphysics, the history of philosophy, the philosophy of science, the philosophy of law, experimental philosophy, aesthetics, and the philosophy of language. Faculty are very accessible to students and are keenly interested in their philosophical development and professional success.

In addition to traditional areas of philosophy, concentrations are available that bridge philosophy with other disciplines such as law or cognitive science.

See degree requirements

2024 Best Online Philosophy Degrees

If you’re interested in pondering the deep questions of life and searching for answers, then getting an online philosophy degree might appeal to you.

Best Online Philosophy Degrees

In bachelor’s degree in philosophy programs, you’ll study the development of philosophical thought over the ages and the influence of various paradigms on the modern world.

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In the process, you can refine your critical thinking skills and develop your ability to craft a well-reasoned argument. Your growth in these areas could be beneficial in a wide variety of fields, including law, education, and leadership.

Philosophy Degrees Online

Philosophy Degrees Online

Philosophy is a discipline in which students study some of the deepest, most thought-provoking issues for humans.

You can wrestle with matters related to existence, knowledge, faith, ethics, and the world. This degree may appeal to college students who want to be critical thinkers with a broad skill set that could apply in many different career settings.

Topics covered in a philosophy program often include:

  • Ethical decision-making
  • History of philosophy
  • Major Western philosophers
  • Persuasive writing

While philosophy studies can be useful for a variety of careers, many colleges also encourage students to explore a secondary discipline. Complementary studies can prepare students to apply philosophy concepts in a specific sector.

This can be accomplished by selecting a minor, a degree concentration, or several elective courses. The available options may relate to healthcare, law, science, or women’s studies.

Philosophy degrees can be useful for many different lines of work. Graduates tend to work in business, community service, education, law, or communications. Some philosophy majors pursue work as marketing specialists, reporters, nonprofit managers, technical writers, communications directors, or business analysts.

You might even decide to further your education after completing a philosophy degree. One option is to get a masters or a doctorate in philosophy. Those degrees could lead to career opportunities in academia. Some philosophy majors go on to law school and become lawyers.

Bachelor of Philosophy Careers & Salaries

Bachelor of Philosophy Careers & Salaries

Majoring in philosophy won’t lock you into any one career track. Rather, this degree could provide a foundation that’s useful in many different areas.

Philosophy students do a lot of reasoning and writing. These skills could equip you for a variety of jobs that focus on communication. Examples of positions in this field include author, technical writer, and journalist.

The soft skills acquired in a philosophy program could also be useful in the business world. Public relations and marketing are business specialties that may be especially good fits for philosophy graduates.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , professionals who work in communication occupations earn an average annual salary of $61,310.

The above salaries represent national averages, and some of the positions require additional education. People who study philosophy often care deeply about social or political matters. They may want to channel those passions into careers in nonprofit work or community service.

Philosophy and religion have a lot in common. For a person of faith, a philosophy degree could lead to a graduate degree in ministry. Philosophy studies are useful in the legal world, too. With additional training, graduates may become paralegals or lawyers. Further education can also help graduates become philosophy professors someday.

Philosophy Bachelor’s Curriculum & Courses

Philosophy Bachelor’s Curriculum

Online bachelor’s degrees in philosophy tend to include topics like ethics, reasoning, and the development of philosophical thought. Here are examples of the types of courses you may take:

  • Ancient Philosophy : This history course will acquaint you with past philosophers, such as Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato.
  • Ethics and Philosophy : You’ll discuss common understandings of right versus wrong and how those concepts relate to philosophy.
  • Existence and Knowledge : This course may cover some of the most fundamental questions in philosophy, such as, “What is reality?” and, “What can we really know?”
  • Foundations of Philosophy : An introductory class will provide an overview of philosophical ideas, and you can build on those introductory concepts throughout your college career.
  • Framework of Logic : In this course, you’ll study the rules of logic and learn to identify logical fallacies.
  • Modern Western Philosophy : Your modern philosophy course will pick up where your ancient one left off—perhaps beginning with Renaissance thinkers and moving through others like Locke and Kant.
  • Plato : Although you’re sure to cover Plato during your course on ancient philosophy, you can study him more in-depth in a class centered around his teachings.
  • Politics and Philosophy : You’ll explore topics like equity and liberty as you ponder the influence that philosophical principles have on political leadership and the quest for power.
  • World Religions : Courses on world religions often cover major monotheistic religions, such as Christianity and Islam, as well as Asian religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
  • Writing in Philosophy : You’ll practice composing well-reasoned arguments and presenting them in written form.

Some schools suggest choosing a minor or a concentration to enhance your skills related to a specific field in addition to philosophy.

BA in Philosophy Admissions Requirements

BA in Philosophy Admissions

Admissions committees often consider a variety of factors when deciding whether to admit applicants to a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy program. You may be required to submit:

  • Completed application form and fee
  • Letters of recommendation from teachers or work supervisors
  • Official high school transcripts
  • SAT or ACT test scores (if required)

If you are a transfer student, you’ll also send in transcripts from all the colleges that you have attended.

Online Degree in Philosophy Accreditation

Online Degree in Philosophy Accreditation

Throughout the world of higher education, it’s pretty much an accepted fact that decent, credible schools hold accreditation. That means that they’ve been reviewed and approved by an outside agency that knows what a thorough education entails.

The most widely regarded form of accreditation is regional accreditation . To rest assured that you’re earning a reputable degree, it’s beneficial to choose a college that is regionally accredited.

Accreditation can prove itself valuable time and again. Accredited courses may be the only ones that transfer to other schools or qualify toward grad school admissions. Hiring committees may also regard accredited degrees more favorably.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Philosophy Degrees financial aid

If you qualify, financial aid programs can help with paying for a philosophy online degree. While most students don’t get a full ride to school, many do secure financial aid packages. Government financial aid includes both state and federal assistance. Depending on your financial situation, you may be able to get grants or loans.

Scholarship funds may contribute to your aid package as well. Some scholarships come directly from a college, while other scholarship funds are administered by private organizations. Scholarships are often awarded to students based on merit.

Workplaces sometimes help their employees enroll in college as well. You can check with your employer to see if they have a tuition assistance program. To learn more about your options for financial aid, you can submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . You can also reach out to your college’s financial aid office for guidance.

Is Philosophy a Useless Degree?

philosophy degree

No, philosophy doesn’t need to be considered a useless degree. If you’re searching for a program that develops your soft skills and has relevance for a variety of in-demand sectors, philosophy might be the degree path for you.

Some graduates become social and community service managers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 15% growth rate for this position over the next decade. Others go into technical writing. Technical writers are expected to see 12% growth over the next ten years.

For market research analysts, another career option with potential for philosophy graduates, a 22% growth rate is expected.

What Can You Do with a Philosophy Degree?

Philosophy Degree careers

There is a variety of options for what you can do with a philosophy degree . Philosophy graduates often find that their skills are useful for many different types of work. Because of their communication abilities, some philosophy majors become public relations specialists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, PR professionals often work for schools, government agencies, or private businesses.

Other philosophy graduates go into writing. They become newspaper journalists, book authors, and technical writers. Some choose to get paralegal training so that they can work in law offices.

Others go to law school. Market research is another possible line of work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that market researchers often work as consultants.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor Degree in Philosophy Online?

Bachelor Degree in Philosophy Online

If you carry a full-time course load, you can likely finish your philosophy degree within 4 years. Traditionally, a bachelor’s degree is a 4 year program. Students whose school years are divided into two academic semesters should complete their coursework by the end of the eighth semester.

Online colleges may offer speedier philosophy degrees. Some of the classes may be only 8 weeks long. If you follow this academic calendar and enroll full-time, you may take year-round classes and finish in under 4 years.

What Jobs Can You Get with a Philosophy Degree?

Some philosophy majors apply their knowledge of justice and ethics while serving as nonprofit leaders. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social and community service managers usually make between $42,230 and $115,800 annually.

Other graduates choose communications careers. They may work as journalists, producing articles for newspapers or magazines. On-air reporting could be another option. Philosophy makes a difference in the legal field, and some graduates go on to become paralegals. Paralegals often need to pursue certification.

What Do Philosophy Majors Do?

Theology vs. Philosophy Major

Philosophy graduates work in many fields that involve communication and critical thinking. Public relations, marketing, advertising, and writing careers are often fitting for those who studied philosophy in college.

Some graduates are interested in politics or law. They might look for government leadership jobs or even run for office. Going through paralegal training or enrolling in law school can be other options.

Additional job opportunities include sales, education, healthcare leadership, project management, and business consulting.

What’s the Difference Between a Theology vs. Philosophy Major?

You can ponder some of life’s biggest questions while studying philosophy or theology.

Theology majors may take one or more philosophy courses.

Is a Philosophy Degree Worth It?

Yes, a philosophy degree is worth it for many professionals. Studying philosophy can help you dig for answers to many of life’s questions. It can also challenge you to think critically and to articulate your views clearly. Those skills can be useful in nearly any field.

Philosophy-related skills are in demand in the workforce. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, openings for several jobs often held by philosophy majors are currently increasing at faster-than-average rates. Those positions include community service manager and marketing specialist.

Universities Offering Online Bachelors in Philosophy Degree Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

American Public University campus

American Public University offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy program. This degree program is intended to improve students’ analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and creative problem solving skills. Courses start monthly and are 8 or 16 weeks long. Available concentrations include Ethics, Healthcare, Legal, and STEM. APUS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Arizona State University campus

Arizona State University offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. It requires a total of 39 classes that are each 7.5 weeks long. The program can help students learn how to read and interpret complex texts. It also includes studies in argument structure and interpretation, effective and structured communication, and logic and reasoning.

ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Fort Hays State University campus

Fort Hays State University offers an online philosophy major program. It includes courses such as Critical Thinking, Philosophy of Knowledge, Classical Greek Philosophy, Foundations of Modern Philosophy, and Ethics. Students are also required to complete a senior thesis. The program offers opportunities to earn a Certificate in General Philosophy and a Certificate in Moral and Political Philosophy.

FHSU  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Oregon State University campus

Oregon State University offers both a B.A. and B.S. in Philosophy. Both online programs require 180 credits and have four start dates available each year. They both focus on engaged philosophy rather than abstract thinking .

Oregon State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

University of Arizona campus

The University of Arizona offers an online program for a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a specialization in Ethics. It is offered by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Students are given opportunities to study the rules of valid argument and the nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. Courses include Philosophy of Happiness, Medical Ethics, Law and Morality, and Minds, Brains, and Computers.

The University of Arizona is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of Colorado - Colorado Springs campus

The University of Colorado—Colorado Springs has an online degree program in philosophy. It can help students develop analytical thinking skills, writing skills, and interdisciplinary understanding. Courses include Critical Thinking, Cosmology and Culture, World Religions, and Ethics of Life and Health. Students in the program are required to complete a senior thesis to graduate.

UCCS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of Memphis campus

The University of Memphis offers an online program for a BA in Philosophy with a concentration in Applied Ethics. In this program, students study the applications of ethical theories in various professions. It is a 120 credit hour program that can be completed entirely through UofM Global or by transferring in previously earned, qualifying college credits.

The  University of Memphis  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of New Orleans campus

The University of New Orleans offers an online program for a B.A. in Philosophy. All degree requirements can be completed online. The program includes both synchronous and asynchronous courses in order to provide a high level of flexibility for working students. Courses include the History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, Ethics, and Advanced Logic.

The  University of New Orleans  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro campus

The BA in Philosophy program from the University of North Carolina—Greensboro is intended to prepare students for careers in education, science, law, and the government. The program is fully online, with no set class meeting times. A Pre-Law concentration is available. Students in the program are given opportunities to study both theoretical and applied philosophy.

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of Southern Mississippi campus

The Philosophy BA from the University of Southern Mississippi is designed to enhance students’ critical thinking. It requires the completion of 124 credit hours, and it can usually be completed in 2 to 4 years. The university is accredited by SACSCOC. Subjects studied in the program include ethics, comparative religion, philosophical discourse, and logic.

The  University of Southern Mississippi  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Getting Your Bachelor of Philosophy Degree Online

Bachelor of Philosophy Degree Online

Philosophy studies can challenge you to think about the world in new ways. As you study the history of philosophy and the great thinkers throughout the ages, you can develop your own framework for understanding core issues related to existence, reality, and knowledge.

The skills you can develop and strengthen during your time in this program could contribute to your success in a great number of fields. You could choose to go into law, business, writing, or other sectors.

Because education should be accessible to everyone, there are even accredited online philosophy degrees, including online bachelors and online masters in philosophy . Now could be the time to start looking for the online philosophy program that’s right for you.

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DPhil in Philosophy

  • Entry requirements
  • Funding and Costs

College preference

  • How to Apply

About the course

The Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Philosophy is a three- to four-year full-time research programme whereby you undertake a doctoral level research project under the guidance of your supervisor(s). This course is not available in part-time mode of study and is not offered via distance learning.

The primary aim of the faculty’s DPhil in Philosophy is to prepare you for an academic career in philosophy. Each year, the Faculty of Philosophy welcomes students from a range of courses who have already completed substantial graduate work in philosophy. Typically, students who are successfully admitted to the DPhil course have already completed study that is equivalent or nearly equivalent to that required for Oxford’s BPhil in Philosophy course. The faculty’s Graduate Studies Committee recommends progression from Oxford's BPhil in Philosophy to the DPhil course, considering the BPhil offers the opportunity to study a wide range of philosophical topics over two years as well as to focus on a narrower field of research interest (unlike most one-year masters in a specialised subject, as offered elsewhere).

Students may also progress from the faculty's specialised MSt programmes - the MSt in Philosophy of Physics , the MSt in Ancient Philosophy and the MSt in Practical Ethics .

As part of your doctoral research you will produce a substantial 75,000-word thesis. Students proceeding to the DPhil programme via the BPhil will normally write a DPhil thesis which is an expansion of their BPhil thesis and may be able to incorporate the full contents of their 30,000-word BPhil thesis into the 75,000-word DPhil thesis. However, this is not a formal requirement; sometimes the BPhil thesis topic is not suitable for expansion into a DPhil thesis, or you may wish to write your DPhil thesis on a different topic.

You are not required to attend any taught graduate classes as part of your DPhil degree, but you are encouraged to participate in lectures, classes, seminars and other educational opportunities offered throughout the university as relevant to your topic of study. The course has no fieldwork, industrial placement or year abroad element, but you may decide to attend conferences, workshops or research training elsewhere.

You may attend any graduate or undergraduate classes, seminars and lectures in and outside of the Faculty of Philosophy which are of interest to you, provided that those classes, seminars and lectures are open to you.

Each term, many graduate classes and research seminars are organised by faculty members in which graduate students are full and important participants.

Graduates are encouraged to organise their own seminars and reading groups, and they also run two societies: one invites distinguished speakers from the UK and around the world, while the other gives graduates the opportunity to present papers to a graduate audience.

Each year there is an Oxford Graduate Philosophy Conference, in which most graduate philosophy students participate in some way.

The Masters of Letters (MLitt) in Philosophy is awarded on the basis of a thesis of maximum 50,000 words. In practice, applicants are admitted for the MLitt only in exceptional cases, and few students submit a thesis for the MLitt. The MLitt is more often an exit award for DPhil students who fail or withdraw from the DPhil degree but meet the requirements for the MLitt.

Course Outcomes

As a DPhil student, you will research, summarise, present and defend an argument with some of the best scholars in their subject, under the direction of (an) experienced researcher(s), and will extend your skills and experiences.

During the DPhil you will learn new or hone existing intellectual, practical and transferable skills, as follows:

  • analyse and clarify an abstract question, grasp and critically compare different approaches to answering it, and develop an approach of your own
  • put complex arguments together for and against a position and take them apart
  • interpret difficult historical texts produced within a historical context
  • construct extensive pieces of writing that provide a clear overview of a subject and a sustained independent argument about it, presented in a lucid, objective and scholarly manner
  • demonstrate excellent oral presentation
  • have effective time organisation (since you must produce extensive pieces of written work at regular intervals and to tight deadlines)
  • sustain intensive work to a deadline over an extended period
  • make effective use of libraries, information technology and other sources of information

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of Philosophy and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Faculty of Philosophy.

You should have regular one-to-one tuition sessions with your supervisor(s). These will normally happen twice per term but in some terms, especially at the start of the degree and during the final stages of the thesis, the number of sessions may be increased.

You will normally be assigned one supervisor to start with but towards the end of your course, after you have been awarded confirmation of status, it is usual for you to receive a second, additional supervisor, to offer another view on your work as well as to provide another reference for you if required.

You will initially be enrolled as a Probationary Research Student (PRS), unless you have previously completed the BPhil course at Oxford (see below). Normally in the third term after enrolment onto the DPhil as a PRS student, you are required to complete a transfer of status from PRS to full DPhil student status. Two appointed examiners will interview you on:

  • your thesis outline, which explains the intended line of argument or contribution to the subject;
  • a piece of written work in the area and philosophical style of the proposed thesis which is typically, though not necessarily, a draft chapter of the thesis.

If you progressed from the MSt in Philosophy of Physics course, you are required to write a 20,000-word thesis during your year as a PRS, as your MSt does not have a thesis element.

Normally at the end of the second year after you enrolled, you will be required to apply for confirmation of your DPhil student status. This application will involve an interview by one or two appointed examiners on:

  • your thesis outline, comprising both a reasoned statement of the nature of, and some detail on, the proposed thesis together with a provisional table of contents; and
  • a piece of written work intended as a part of the thesis, in final or near-final draft.

If you progress from the BPhil, you will normally enter the DPhil without being required to pass a year as a PRS and as a result you will normally apply for confirmation of DPhil status in the third term after enrolment onto the DPhil and, according to the Examination Regulations at time of publication, you will only have six terms (instead of the usual nine terms) of fee liability  for your DPhil.

The doctoral work culminates in a 75,000-word thesis that is defended orally in front of two appointed examiners ( viva voce ).

Graduate destinations

The DPhil in Philosophy's primary aim is to prepare students for an academic career in philosophy. Most DPhil graduates do indeed secure academic posts, as witnessed by the faculty's placement record .

The faculty provides a  placement scheme to help students seeking jobs within philosophy. Users of the placement scheme may ask their referees to send reference letters directly to the faculty where they will be held on file and sent out to universities or other academic institutions at the student’s request. The placement scheme is normally available to alumni until they have secured a tenured post.

The faculty's Placement Officer helps job applicants with the preparation of their CVs, provides advice about the presentation of material in an application dossier, and arranges practice interviews. The Placement Officer also holds a yearly introductory placement seminar, compulsory to those wishing to make use of the placement scheme. Also, students are invited to give talks based on material they propose to use in their writing samples or job talks, with an opportunity for comment and discussion. 

The faculty also runs an email mailing list for members of the placement scheme, which will be used to pass on job tips and news of vacancies.

The faculty runs a teaching scheme, lecturing scheme and a Graduate Teaching Register with the aim of providing teaching experience for those DPhil students who intend to pursue an academic career. In the case of the teaching scheme and Graduate Teaching Register, you will do a certain amount of teaching and marking under the guidance of a college fellow. If you are accepted into the lecturing scheme, you will be allowed to give an undergraduate lecture course of your own choice and design, consisting of four one-hour lectures.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

  • the BPhil in Philosophy from the University of Oxford with a distinction or near-distinction grade, or an equivalent national or international qualification;  and
  • a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in philosophy or a closely-related degree which involved substantial engagement with philosophy.

However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.6 out of 4.0. However, most successful applicants have a GPA of 3.7 or above.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

You are not required to have any publications but these may be an advantage.

Further guidance

Applicants who achieve a distinction in the BPhil in Philosophy , the MSt in Philosophy of Physics , the MSt in Ancient Philosophy or the MSt in Practical Ethics are eligible for progression to the DPhil, provided that the faculty's Graduate Studies Committee is satisfied that their proposed thesis topic and outline indicate that they can be adequately supervised by members of the Philosophy Faculty. Students who pass the BPhil in Philosophy, the MSt in Philosophy of Physics, the MSt in Ancient Philosophy or the MSt in Practical Ethics without a distinction may be admitted to the DPhil at the Committee’s discretion.

All applications are assessed by the faculty's Graduate Studies Committee at the same time, after the application deadline has passed, and offers are made on a strictly comparative basis.

Applicants should not apply with more than one distinct research proposal.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  higher level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides  further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are not normally held as part of the admissions process.

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

  • socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
  • country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
  • protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

  • the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
  • the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
  • minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

Oxford is one of the world’s great centres for philosophy, and is widely recognised to be amongst the best. In the most recent Philosophical Gourmet Report (2021-22) Oxford University’s Faculty of Philosophy was once again ranked top in the list of Philosophy Faculties in the United Kingdom and still ranked second in the overall ranking of philosophy faculties in the English speaking world. More than 150 professional philosophers work in the University and its colleges, between them covering a vast range of subjects within philosophy, and many are international leaders in their fields. 

Many philosophy subjects at Oxford are ranked highly in the most recent Philosophical Gourmet Report’s breakdown of programmes by speciality (2020-21) , including metaphysics, epistemology, philosophical logic, philosophy of language, applied ethics, metaethics and moral psychology, normative ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of law, philosophy of art, philosophy of physics, decision & rational choice, & game theory, ancient philosophy, 18th century early modern philosophy and 20th century continental philosophy.

The Philosophy Centre in the Radcliffe Humanities building on Woodstock Road acts as a focal point for the faculty’s activities and contains, as well as lecturing and teaching space, a graduate study room and a graduate common room. A wireless network runs throughout the Philosophy Centre.

The Philosophy Centre also contains the department's library, with over 25,000 volumes, a collection of approximately 80 periodicals, online access to many philosophical databases, and librarians trained in the specific bibliographic needs of philosophers. Many college libraries also have extensive holdings in philosophy.

The faculty runs a teaching scheme, lecturing scheme and a Graduate Teaching Register with the aim of providing teaching experience for those DPhil students who intend to pursue an academic career. In the case of the teaching scheme and Graduate Teaching Register, you will do a certain amount of teaching and marking under the guidance of a college fellow. If you are accepted into the lecturing scheme, you will be allowed to give an undergraduate lecture course of your own choice and design, consisting of four one-hour lectures. 

Over 150 Oxford academics are employed by or associated with the Faculty of Philosophy, making it one of the largest philosophy departments worldwide. 

The Faculty of Philosophy is widely recognised to be amongst the best philosophy departments in the world, ranked first in the UK and second in the English-speaking world by the most recent  Philosophical Gourmet Report  (2021-22). 

The faculty offers a wide range of graduate classes, seminars and supervisions, providing you with high-quality tuition in philosophy. This includes its flagship course, the  BPhil in Philosophy , which we believe provides the perfect graduate level training for further studies to doctoral level and is usually studied as the first two years of a four- to five-year doctoral program.

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The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Further information about funding opportunities  for this course can be found on the faculty's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Continuation charges

Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

The Philosophy Graduate Studies Committee has a research and travel fund for graduate students to which students may apply for assistance with, for example, the costs of attending conferences or workshops. BPhil and MSt students may only apply for funding if they are presenting a paper. Probationary Research Students and DPhil students are entitled to apply for funding to attend a workshop, conference, etc, whether or not they are presenting a paper.

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, please note that, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The following colleges accept students on the DPhil in Philosophy:

  • Balliol College
  • Blackfriars
  • Brasenose College
  • Campion Hall
  • Christ Church
  • Corpus Christi College
  • Exeter College
  • Harris Manchester College
  • Hertford College
  • Jesus College
  • Keble College
  • Kellogg College
  • Lady Margaret Hall
  • Linacre College
  • Lincoln College
  • Magdalen College
  • Mansfield College
  • Merton College
  • New College
  • Oriel College
  • Pembroke College
  • The Queen's College
  • Regent's Park College
  • Reuben College
  • St Anne's College
  • St Catherine's College
  • St Cross College
  • St Edmund Hall
  • St Hilda's College
  • St Hugh's College
  • St John's College
  • St Peter's College
  • Somerville College
  • Trinity College
  • University College
  • Wadham College
  • Wolfson College
  • Worcester College
  • Wycliffe Hall

Before you apply

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

  • applicants from low-income countries;
  • refugees and displaced persons; 
  • UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
  • applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Readmission for current Oxford graduate taught students

If you're currently studying for an Oxford graduate taught course and apply to this course with no break in your studies, you may be eligible to apply to this course as a readmission applicant. The application fee will be waived for an eligible application of this type. Check whether you're eligible to apply for readmission .

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

Before you apply, you should identify an academic member of staff who is willing to supervise you and has the resources to support your proposed research project. There is no need to contact prospective supervisors directly; details of academic staff, including their research interests and contact details, can be found on the department's website.

Please note that it can never be guaranteed that your proposed supervisor will be assigned to you, even if you receive prior informal approval from that supervisor.

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Proposed field and title of research project

Under the 'Field and title of research project' please enter your proposed field or area of research if this is known. If the department has advertised a specific research project that you would like to be considered for, please enter the project title here instead.

You should not use this field to type out a full research proposal. You will be able to upload your research supporting materials separately if they are required (as described below).

Proposed supervisor

If known, under 'Proposed supervisor name' enter the name of the academic(s) who you would like to supervise your research. Otherwise, leave this field blank.

Referees Three overall, academic preferred

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

Three academic references are usually required. However, if you have been out of education for a long time, or if you have substantial relevant working experience, then a maximum of one professional reference may replace an academic reference, provided that it speaks to your ability to undertake philosophy studies at graduate level.

Your references should support outstanding academic achievement, great intellectual ability, strong motivation, and independence of thought.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Personal statement and research proposal: Statement of a maximum of 500 words and a proposal of a maximum of 2,000 words

Your statement of purpose/personal statement and research proposal should be submitted as a single, combined document with clear subheadings. Please ensure that the word counts for each section are clearly visible in the document.

Personal statement

You should also submit a personal statement explaining your motivation for applying for graduate study at Oxford. Your statement should focus on philosophy, rather than personal, extra-curricular achievements and interests. In your statement, you may wish to consider the following questions:

  • why are you applying to this particular programme of study?
  • what relevant academic and/or research experience do you have?
  • which areas of study within the subject interest you?
  • why would you be an excellent candidate for this course?
  • how does this course fit in with your future career plans?

Your personal statement should be written in English and be a maximum of 500 words.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

Your personal statement will be assessed for evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study.

Research proposal

Your research proposal should comprise a detailed outline of your proposed research, covering areas such as the background to the research, methodology, expected results and the contribution to the field of learning. You may wish to make reference to your academic achievements, interests and aspirations and the relevance of the course to your future career development plans.

Your research proposal should be written in English and be a maximum of 2,000 words. The word count does not need to include any bibliography or brief footnotes.

Your research proposal will be assessed for:

  • coherence 
  • originality 
  • evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study
  • ability to present a reasoned case in English
  • feasibility of successfully completing the project in the time available for the course (normally three years and a maximum of four years)
  • commitment to the subject
  • knowledge of research techniques
  • capacity for sustained and intense work
  • reasoning ability
  • ability to absorb new ideas, often presented abstractly, at a rapid pace.

It will be normal for your ideas subsequently to change in some ways as you investigate the evidence and develop your project, but you should nevertheless make the best effort you can to demonstrate the extent of your research question, sources and method at the time of your application.

Written work: One essay of 4,000 to a maximum of 5,000 words

You should submit an academic essay on a subject related to your proposed research topic. 

The essay should be typed or word-processed in English and must be clearly marked with your name and the date of composition. The word count does not need to include the end bibliography. Footnotes and in-text referencing are included.

This will be assessed for:

  • clarity and accuracy of thought and writing
  • intellectual independence
  • willingness and ability to reach conclusions by reasoned argument rather than assertion
  • a critical and attentive reading of any texts discussed
  • understanding of important philosophical ideas and theories
  • if required by the topic of the work, appropriate technical skills.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide   Apply

ADMISSION STATUS

Closed to applications for entry in 2024-25

Register to be notified via email when the next application cycle opens (for entry in 2025-26)

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 5 January 2024 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships Final application deadline for entry in 2024-25

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2021-22 to 2023-24)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Faculty of Philosophy

  • Course page  and FAQs on the faculty's website
  • Funding information from the faculty
  • Academic and research staff
  • Faculty research
  • Humanities Division
  • Residence requirements for full-time courses

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

[email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 276930

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide

Other courses to consider

You may also wish to consider applying to other courses that are similar or related to this course:

View related courses

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Faulkner University Home Page

Online Doctorate of Philosophy in Humanities - Faulkner University

Faulkner University

A Christian University

Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities

Faulkner University’s Honors College offers a fully online Doctor of Philosophy for professionals hoping to enrich their higher education experience.

Program Objectives

The fully online Doctor of Philosophy provides an academic path to a career in Christian education and offers a challenging opportunity to expand your mind and experiences through a worldly perspective. Diverse students bring new perspectives to program coursework, helping to facilitate engaging and challenging discussions.

Program Design

Rooted in the Great Tradition of the Western World, the curriculum for the fully online Doctor of Philosophy program follows teachings from the Great Books of the Western Tradition to facilitate intellectual and spiritual engagement from students. Faulkner’s instructors are thought leaders who have proven credentials in the classroom, society and their field of research. Their Christian interpretation of philosophical studies and ideas help to facilitate collaborative and engaging discussion threads and conference calls.

The program includes:

  • A fully online platform
  • A foundation course that examines the history and philosophy of humane learning.
  • Seven core courses providing an in-depth look at complex ideas and thoughts.
  • Three independent tutorials focused in your area of interest, including an author, idea(s), problem, theme, specific topic or historical era.
  • Two dissertation courses that are the pinnacle of this academic program.
  • Two interdisciplinary seminar courses.

The PhD program typically takes three to five years to complete, depending on students’ status (full-time or part-time) and the time taken to complete the dissertation.

Up to six hours of post-master’s coursework may be transferred pending the director’s approval.

Degree Plan

Admission Requirements

Offering schedule.

Prospective students who wish to enroll in the Doctor of Philosophy program must meet the following admission requirements:

  • A completed graduate application
  • A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. You must provide transcripts from all institutions attended.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Acceptable graduate test score on graduate admissions exams, including the GRE (a combined verbal and quantitative score of 297 or above) or MAT (400 or above) taken within the last 5 years. This requirement may be waived for students holding master’s degrees in related fields.
  • Three letters of recommendation  with specific comments regarding the applicant’s academic work, professional experience and ability to successfully complete graduate study. These letters are typically from the applicant’s previous instructors or supervisory personnel.
  • A statement of personal goals that identifies how the Doctor of Philosophy program will contribute to those goals (400-500 words).
  • A scholarly postgraduate writing sample
  • Approval by the director of the Doctor of Philosophy program.
  • Submit a completed  online application.
  • Complete and print the  Official Transcript Request   form and submit it to all previously attended schools with the appropriate fee.
  • Send all additional items via mail to your enrollment counselor.
  • FNA 8317 Examining Fine Arts: Great Ideas Readings
  • HU 7311 Introduction to Humane Letters and Learning
  • HU 8326 Understanding Humane Letters: Great Ideas, Authors, and Writings
  • HY 8315 Historical Investigations: Great Ideas, Authors, and Writings
  • IDS 7301 Scholarly Inquiry and Writing in the Humanities
  • IDS 7310 Constitution and American Civic Identity
  • IDS 7310/8310 Religion and Culture
  • IDS 7310/8310 Religious Humanism
  • IDS 7310/8310 Justice
  • IDS 8310 Community and Culture
  • LIT 7324 Literary Analysis: Great Ideas, Authors, and Writings
  • PHL 7313 Great Ideas Readings: Philosophical Inquiries
  • SSC 7319 Great Ideas Readings: Reflection on Social Scientific Thought
  • NMS 8328 Mathematical Scientific Reasoning: Great Ideas and Readings

Tuition and Fees

2023-2024 Financial Information

Summer  – Course offerings vary.

A minimum of three seminar courses are offered each summer.These seminars are scheduled in part based on student demand.  Contact program director for offerings in a specific term.

Note:  All live seminar meetings occur 7:30–9:00 pm (CT) via Google hangout video call.

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MIT Philosophy Logo

Department of Linguistics and Philosophy

Mitx classes.

We have five online philosophy courses , each of which is offered once a year. We give certificates and awards for high performance in these courses. The courses are hosted by MITx Online , MIT’s online learning destination and MOOC provider.

Introduction to Philosophy: God, Knowledge and Consciousness

Learn how to ask and answer big questions. Pursue a verified certificate to have your work graded and commented upon by professional philosophers.

best online phd in philosophy

Introduction to Ethics: Moral Problems and the Good Life

A rigorous introduction to ethics. We’ll think about well-being, objectivity, key historical figures and approaches, what we owe to others, and more.

Minds and Machines

An introduction to philosophy of mind, exploring consciousness, reality, AI, and more. The most in-depth philosophy course available online.

Paradox and Infinity

An introduction to highlights from the technical side of philosophy–from the higher infinite to Gödel’s Theorem.

Problems of Philosophy

A tour through the big questions of philosophy. Does God exist? Do we have free will? Is morality objective? What is knowledge? What is the meaning of life?  

MITx Philosophy Awards

Students displaying exceptional performance on MITx’s philosophy MOOCs are eligible for the MITx Philosophy Award. High-School students are eligible for both the MITx Philosophy Award and the MITx High School Philosophy Award. See below for profiles of current and past winners.

2023  – MITx Philosophy Award Winners 2021  – MITx Philosophy Award Winners 2020  – MITx Philosophy Award Winners 2019  – MITx Philosophy Award Winners 2018 – MITx Philosophy Award Winners 2018 – MITx High School Philosophy Award Winners 2017  – MITx High School Philosophy Award Winners

6 Best Online Master’s in Philosophy Programs

best online phd in philosophy

Key Takeaways

  • Online master’s in philosophy degrees cover topics such as ethics, logic, metaphysics, epistemology, and the history of philosophical thought.
  • An online master’s in philosophy program is a stepping stone for doctoral studies or a job in law, ethics, or academia.
  • An online master’s degree in philosophy can help you to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical thinking skills.

Many people assume that the wisdom of philosophy can only be passed down in traditional classrooms. We’ve searched for affordable online master’s degrees  and found several schools offering the best online master’s in philosophy!

Being familiar with the struggle to find the best program post-graduation, we want to share our research so you can put your time and efforts into preparing for admission instead of finding schools.

Person picking books from a shelf

Featured Programs

Best online masters in philosophy.

Online philosophy degrees are similar to the on-campus equivalents — covering essential topics such as ethics, logic, metaphysics, epistemology, and the history of philosophical thought.

These programs offer flexibility through electives or concentrations, allowing you to tailor your studies to align with your career aspirations.

Let’s learn about the philosophy programs for each college  and their unique features:

Portland State University

  • #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2024
  • #4 Best Colleges in Oregon 2024
  • #24 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
  • #1 Best Online Colleges in Oregon 2024
  • #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Social Work Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
  • #2 Best Online MBA Programs in Oregon
  • #3 Best Online Master's Programs in Oregon 2024
  • #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Philosophy Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
  • #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
  • #6 Best Online Master's in Social Work MSW
  • #7 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting
  • #8 Best Data Science Online Master’s Programs
  • #13 Best Online Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts and Humanities Degree Programs for 2024
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  • #19 Best Online Bachelor's in Public Health Degree Programs for Students
  • #20 The Best Online Colleges Ranked for Students in 2024
  • Tuition: $207/credit (in-state)
  • Distance Education Reciprocity Agreement: WICHE
  • Application Fee: $60

Portland State University (PSU)  is located in the heart of Oregon’s largest metropolitan area. It offers more than just a typical urban university experience. At PSU, philosophy students immerse themselves in the city’s intellectual and cultural pulse.

Philosophy isn’t just about textbooks here. It’s about engaging with real-world ideas. Students get to participate in guest lectures, bring new insights to their studies, and join vibrant online discussions through the Socratic Society and the student philosophy club.

The program requires 180 quarter credits. It emphasizes interactive learning, ensuring students connect with instructors and peers in real-time. For those opting for online courses, it’s worth noting that PSU charges an additional $22 per credit, a small premium for the flexibility of studying from anywhere.

Woman sitting on the grass outdoors and reading a book while her laptop is in front of her

Oregon State University

  • #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2024
  • #3 Best Colleges in Oregon 2024
  • #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
  • #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Oregon
  • #1 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Computer Science
  • #1 Top 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Counseling Doctorates (PhDs)
  • #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Oregon 2024
  • #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Nevada
  • #7 Top 18 Most Affordable No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs
  • #8 Top 16 Most Affordable Online Counseling PhDs (Doctorates)
  • #9 The Most Affordable Online Clinical Nutrition Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2024
  • #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Construction Management Degree Programs
  • #17 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
  • Tuition: $350/credit
  • Application Fee: $65

In 1994,  Oregon State University  in Corvallis pioneered by launching its first online course – an introduction to philosophy. Today, this affordable public university  has expanded its online offerings to over 100 programs, connecting with nearly 13,000 learners across the globe.

However, it’s not just about online lectures, remote learners get to dive into faculty research projects, join student clubs, snag internships, and even participate in the university’s honors program. Regarding their online philosophy degree, Oregon State breaks the mold.

There are no set core courses. Instead, students have the freedom to design their degree paths.

It offers courses that tackle current issues like environmentalism and biomedical ethics, encouraging students to look at philosophy through various cultural lenses.

University of Arizona

  • #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona 2024
  • #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
  • #1 Best Public Colleges in Arizona 2024
  • #1 Best Grad Schools in Arizona 2024
  • #1 Best Research Universities in Arizona 2024
  • #23 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
  • #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity
  • #1 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration Degree Programs
  • #1 Best Online Master's in Behavior Analysis Degree Programs
  • #1 Best Online Bachelor’s of History Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
  • #1 Best Online Master's in Agriculture and Agribusiness Degree Programs
  • #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs
  • #1 The Best Online Colleges Ranked for Students in 2024
  • #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2024
  • #1 Best Online Colleges in Arizona 2024
  • #1 Best Online Bachelor's of Economics Degree Programs for 2024
  • #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting
  • #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Philosophy Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
  • #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Arizona
  • #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Arizona 2024
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  • Tuition: $500/credit

Students taking degrees at the  University of Arizona (UofA)  join a vibrant and diverse learning community. As a Hispanic-serving institution , the university proudly enrolls about 28% Hispanic students, with nearly half of its student body coming from nonwhite backgrounds.

Arizona Online, UofA’s distance learning campus, creates a tight-knit community where students regularly engage with professors, peers, tutors, coaches, and alum mentors. UofA has over 150 online offerings and a Philosophy BA specializing in ethics.

This 120-semester-credit program, also available on campus, allows students to delve into law, policy and social justice, psychology and human behavior, and social and behavioral sciences.

University of Tennessee at Martin

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  • Tuition: $426/credit (in-state)
  • Distance Education Reciprocity Agreement: SREB
  • Application Fee: $30

The University of Tennessee  at Martin (UT Martin) is one of the five institutions in the University of Tennessee complex. It offers a range of learning options for students, which includes its online division, main campus, and five regional education centers.

At UT Martin, students interested in philosophy have the choice between MA and MS tracks for their online degree. The program features four core courses that delve into ethics, logic, and the philosophical thoughts of the ancient, medieval, and modern eras.

Beyond this core, philosophy majors can personalize their education with 18 credits of upper-division courses that align with their goals and interests. Students complete a comprehensive exam and compile an academic writing portfolio to cap off their studies, showcasing their growth and expertise in the field.

Huge library with sculpted portrait busts of ancient philosophers

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

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  • Tuition: $184/credit (in-state)

Founded in 1891, the  University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG)  began as a women’s college. It has been welcoming students of all genders since 1964. Today, it’s a vibrant, diverse hub for about 18,000 students, with a significant number being Pell Grant recipients or the first in their families to attend college.

Impressively, nearly 60% of UNCG’s student body is nonwhite, including almost a third who are Black students. UNCG offers an MA in Philosophy both on campus and online, providing a rich blend of applied and theoretical perspectives.

There’s a pre-law concentration available for those eyeing a career in law. If you are aiming higher, an honors degree is also an option. It’s worth noting that UNCG has a modest online course fee of $20 per credit. Although they already seem like an inexpensive online college , you can even find reach out and check if they offer free master’s programs  for their students.

University of Memphis

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  • Tuition: $431/credit (in-state)
  • Application Fee: $25

University of Memphis  students can pursue an online MA in Philosophy focusing on applied ethics. This public research university has been a pioneer in online education since 1995.

Among its student population of over 22,000, around 4,500 are earning their degrees through UofM Global – the university’s dedicated distance learning division.

Online students aren’t just studying remotely; they have round-the-clock access to essential resources like tutoring, counseling, and tech support. They also learn alongside diverse peers, enriching their educational experience.

Over half of students come from nonwhite backgrounds, including 38% Black, and about half are Pell Grant recipients. A bonus for distance learners is that it offers a tuition rate equivalent to in-state tuition , regardless of location.

Woman typing on a keyboard while she's reading a book

Online Master’s in Philosophy Program – What You Should Know

An online master’s in philosophy program is a stepping stone for students aiming for doctoral studies or seeking a deep understanding of advanced philosophical concepts.

Key skills developed in this program include constructing well-reasoned arguments, critical thinking, problem-solving, analytical thinking, and logical analysis.

Students can align their studies with specific career paths or doctoral programs by choosing electives and specializations. Common courses in a philosophy master’s degree  might include:

History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy

This course takes you through two distinct periods: the Latin West up to the early Middle Ages and then onward to the close of the 12th century. It delves into the influential works of renowned philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato, offering a deep dive into their timeless ideas.

Philosophy of Science, Methodology, and Epistemology

This course invites students to delve into the groundbreaking developments of the early 20th century by general philosophers of science. It focuses on the key philosophical discoveries that shaped scientific research in philosophy.

Formal Philosophy and Philosophical Logic

In this course, students dive into the study of how different propositions logically connect. They learn to identify propositions and grasp their special concepts.

Moral Philosophy

This course equips students with an understanding of various theories and the essence of morality, guiding them in making decisions about the right actions and the reasons behind them.

This course takes students through the philosophical examination of nature and the essence of religion. It involves analyzing religious beliefs, terms, practices, and concepts related to followers of various faiths.

Related Questions

Is a master in philosophy useful.

Yes, a master’s in philosophy equips students with skills that can help them get jobs in law, ethics, or academia.

Can I do an MSc in philosophy?

Yes, you can do an MSc in philosophy. The best part is that there are no compulsory courses, and you can choose the major according to your interests.

These are our recommendations for an online master’s in philosophy you can get this year. Each comes with unique challenges and a scope of study. Pick according to your interests and unlock the power of your mind with the diverse disciplines of Philosophy.

Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Ph.D. Commencement robing Martin West and Christopher Cleveland

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 Givens

Jarvis R. Givens

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

Paul Harris

Paul L. Harris

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

Meira Levinson

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 Miratrix

Luke W. Miratrix

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

best online phd in philosophy

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 Uccelli

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

HGSE shield on blue background

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:

Maya Alkateb-Chami

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

E-Book Animation

Using E-Books to Get Young Readers Talking

New research shows how parents can help kids — and themselves — use e-books as a tool to improve early childhood development

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COMMENTS

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    As of the 2020-2021 school year, NCES data shows that these learners paid an average of $9,375 per year in tuition and required fees, while out-of-state public school students paid $27,091 on ...

  3. The Graduate Program in Philosophy

    Stanford's graduate program in Philosophy is by any measure among the world's best. We attract excellent students, we provide them ample access to leading scholars for instruction and advice, and we turn out accomplished philosophers ready to compete for the best jobs in a very tight job market. We offer both MA and PhD degrees. Doctoral Program.

  4. Top 10 Low-Cost Online Doctorate in Philosophy Degrees for 2021

    Students can complete this 47-credit hour degree plan within four years of study. Duquesne University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education to award this online doctorate in philosophy. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school among the top 60 best value schools in the country.

  5. 5 Best Online PhD in Philosophy Programs [2023 Guide]

    Selinus University of Science and Literature offers a PhD in Philosophy and Critical thinking via distance learning. The main requirement for a PhD online through distance learning is to present and discuss a thesis of at least 100 pages for review and evaluation by an academic committee at Selinus University.

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    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 ...

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    The State University of New York at Buffalo, sometimes called SUNY-Buffalo, and commonly called the University at Buffalo (UB), is a public research university founded in 1846. UB offers bachelor's degrees in 140+ areas of study, 220+ master's programs, 95+ doctoral programs, and 55+ combined degree programs to over 32,000 students. Univ ...

  8. Doctoral Program

    Requirements for Philosophy Graduate Students: These are the same as the proficiency requirements for the Ph.D. in Philosophy. One year of Greek is a requirement for admission to the program. If students have had a year of Latin, they are required to take 3 courses in second- or third-year Greek or Latin, at least one of which must be in Latin.

  9. Ph.D. Program

    Ph.D. Program The program of studies leading to the doctorate in philosophy provides subjects and seminars in such traditional areas as logic, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of science, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, aesthetics, social and political philosophy, and history of philosophy. Interest in philosophical problems arising from other disciplines, such as ...

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    Out-of-State | $515-$1,319. Credits to Graduate: 60. Clemson's graduate catalog features 52 doctoral programs with the flexibility to study on campus, online, or in a hybrid format. Fields like digital history, entomology, genetics, or business administration offer on-campus programs for traditional doctoral students.

  11. The APA Guide to Graduate Programs in Philosophy

    The Guide to Graduate Programs in Philosophy, published biennially until the early 2000s, was relaunched in 2012 as an annual online resource.The guide compiles data on both doctoral and master's degree programs in philosophy at institutions throughout the US and Canada, offering prospective students, job candidates, and other members of the profession a rich resource on post-graduate ...

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    Philosophy ›. Philosophy, PhD. Overview. Admission. When the Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876, it was the first university in the United States designed as a center for research and doctoral education. Among its earliest graduate students were Josiah Royce and John Dewey; C.S. Peirce was an early faculty member.

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    Department of Philosophy Social Sciences, Room 213 1145 E. South Campus Drive University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721. Contact Us [email protected] 520-621-5045

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    The University of Colorado—Colorado Springs has an online degree program in philosophy. It can help students develop analytical thinking skills, writing skills, and interdisciplinary understanding. Courses include Critical Thinking, Cosmology and Culture, World Religions, and Ethics of Life and Health.

  15. DPhil in Philosophy

    The Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Philosophy is a three- to four-year full-time research programme whereby you undertake a doctoral level research project under the guidance of your supervisor (s). This course is not available in part-time mode of study and is not offered via distance learning. The primary aim of the faculty's DPhil in ...

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    The unique features of the doctorate in philosophy at Texas A&M are its pluralism within the discipline of philosophy and its commitment to cross-disciplinary research. Through this program, you will be required to complete coursework in several different methodological traditions within philosophy. You'll also be required to engage in truly ...

  17. Online Doctorate of Philosophy in Humanities

    A scholarly postgraduate writing sample. Approval by the director of the Doctor of Philosophy program. Tuition. $650 per semester hour. General Fee. $350 per semester ($200 if 11 hours or less) Online Course Fee. $75 per semester hour.

  18. MITx

    MITx Classes We have five online philosophy courses, each of which is offered once a year. We give certificates and awards for high performance in these courses. The courses are hosted by MITx Online, MIT's online learning destination and MOOC provider. Introduction to Philosophy:

  19. Best PhD Programs in Philosophy (guest post by Carolyn Dicey Jennings

    The following is a guest post* by Carolyn Dicey Jennings, associate professor of philosophy and cognitive science at University of California, Merced, and the principal investigator for the project, Academic Placement Data and Analysis (APDA) A version of this post first appeared at the APDA site. Best PhD Programs in Philosophy by Carolyn Dicey Jennings What

  20. 6 Best Online Master's in Philosophy Programs

    Oregon State University. Corvallis , OR. #15 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #2 Best Public Colleges in Oregon 2024 #2 Best Grad Schools in Oregon 2024 #2 Best Research Universities in Oregon 2024. Other Rankings. Tuition: $350/credit.

  21. Doctor of Philosophy in Data Science

    The Doctor of Philosophy in Data Science (PhD-DS) program can be completed in 60 credits. Each course runs 8 weeks, and dissertation courses run 12 weeks. Course Sequence. The PhD program may be completed in a minimum of 60 credits. Additional credit hours may be allowed as needed to complete the dissertation research.

  22. Doctor of Philosophy in Education

    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.

  23. Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

    Courses: 20. Estimated Time to Complete: 46 months. The Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD-PSY) degree program can be completed in 60 credits. Each course runs 8 weeks, except for the research, dissertation, and internship courses which run 12 weeks. You'll receive 3 semester credits per course but may require additional credit hours ...

  24. Best Online Ph.D.s In Counseling Of 2024

    For aspiring counselors, psychologists and therapists, a Ph.D. in counseling is the last rung of the educational ladder—the springboard to an advanced role in the field. A doctorate in ...

  25. Encouraging online learners to make academic progress

    Penn State World Campus launched a program fall 2023 to encourage online learners to engage in successful habits for their time in college and beyond. Online-only students, compared to their face-to-face peers, are less likely to complete a degree. Many colleges and universities are leaning into online students' feelings of belonging to promote retention and completion, but leaders at one ...