Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. program trains students for professional philosophical, scholarly, and teaching activity at the college and university level. It provides advanced educationbeyond the master's degree with these specific goals:

• Sophisticated training in philosophy with emphasis on a profound, precise, and comprehensive grasp of the perennial problems and the major thinkers within the Western philosophical tradition.

• Attainment of special professional competence in some problem, philosopher, or theme that fits the interest and ability of the student.

• Acquisition of the technical skills required for professional teaching, research, and publication.

Although the Department offers courses in all major areas and schools of philosophy, certain groups of courses are offered regularly to allow the doctoral students to specialize in one or more of the following areas: Ancient Philosophy, British Empiricism, Analytical Philosophy, Christian Philosophy, Early Modern European Philosophy, Ethics, German Philosophy, Medieval Philosophy, Phenomenology and Existentialism, Philosophy of Religion.