Graduate

The Department of Philosophy at the University of Arkansas offers an M.A. and a Ph.D. in philosophy. Our M.A. and Ph.D. programs are actually distinct programs. The M.A. program is a two-year program, and the PhD program is a three-year program; students must have an M.A. in philosophy to qualify for the Ph.D. program. While we have rolling admissions, the deadline for full consideration for funding is January 15. Students in either program can concentrate in history of philosophy (including ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary), metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, social and political philosophy, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, philosophy of religion, and/or philosophy of science.

Through an agreement with the Academic Common Market, residents of Alabama and Mississippi may qualify for graduate enrollment in the doctoral program in philosophy as in-state students for fee purposes. See the Graduate Catalog for details.

For furter inquiries please consult our FAQ page.

Assistantships & Fellowships

Teaching assistantships are available that provide full tuition remission and an annual stipend of $16,400 for MA students and $17,325 for PhD students. Graduate assistants usually teach Introduction to Philosophy, Introduction to Ethics, or Logic. Applications for assistantships must be received by January 15 for consideration for the following fall.

The Graduate School also has generous fellowships available for select PhD students. To be considered for these you must apply by January 15. Information about doctoral fellowships can be found here.

 

Admission to the Master of Arts Program

Admission to the M.A. program is subject to the approval of the Graduate School of the University of Arkansas and the graduate committee of the Department of Philosophy. While we have rolling admissions, the deadline for full consideration for funding is January 15. The department encourages both philosophy majors and students with majors in other fields to apply. Though the normal expectation for admission to the M.A. program is at least 18 undergraduate hours in philosophy, including logic, exceptions are sometimes made. Students with significantly fewer hours in philosophy may be admitted "with deficiencies" (i.e., admitted but required to take more than the usual number of courses to satisfy the M.A. requirements). It is possible, but rare, for students with deficiencies to receive assistantships.The Graduate School has additional requirements, posted here.

Application Materials

Application is a two-part process. Submit application form, fee, transcripts, and at least three confidential letters of recommendation to the Graduate School. Send a sample of written work and statement of purpose directly to the Philosophy Graduate Studies Director, listed below. Applicants seeking a teaching assistantship should submit an assistantship application form to the Philosophy Department as well. The Graduate School has additional requirements for International students.

Degree Requirements and Timetable

Send application materials to: 

Graduate Studies Director, Dr. Barry Ward at bmward@uark.edu

Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy program

Admission to the Ph.D. program is also subject to the approval of the Graduate School of the University of Arkansas and the graduate committee of the Department of Philosophy. Students must have an MA in philosophy to be eligible for the PhD program. Those who are still working on their MA may be conditionally admitted into the PhD program. While we have rolling admissions, the deadline for full consideration for funding is January 15.

Application Materials

Application is a two-part process. Submit application form, fee, transcripts, at least three confidential letters of recommendation, and GRE scores to the Graduate School. Send a sample of written work and statement of purpose directly to the Philosophy Graduate Studies Director, listed below. Applicants seeking a teaching assistantship should submit an assistantship application form to the Philosophy Department as well. The Graduate School has additional requirements for International students.

Degree Requirements and Timetable

Send application materials to:

Graduate Studies Director, Dr. Barry Ward at bmward@uark.edu

 

A flier with a red background that says "Funded Philosophy M.A. at the University of Arkansas." under that to the right of a picture of Old Main is " Develop Research Skills in bold followed by at an R1 University with strengths in: underneath this is a bulleted list that reads "Mind / Philosophy of Pyschology, Ethics and Political Philosophy, Epistemology, Philosophy of Religion, Metaphysics, Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Language, Modern, Wittgenstein." in the middle of the flier is the text "Prepare for a Ph.D" in bold with "in a 2-year program designed with Ph.D placement in mind. Do your best work with course requirements that faciliate a strong writing sample." to the left of a picture of graduation caps being tossed in the air. Near the bottom of the page is a picture of some of the Fayettevile Square with "Live in Fayetteville" imboldened before "and enjoy the scenic Ozark Mountains, local food scene, and low cost of living. Teaching positions provide full tuition remissed and $16,400 stipend!" At the bottom of the flier in the middle is "Apply Now! Full Tuition Waivers available! To learn more, visit philosophy.uark.edu or email Barry Ward (bmward@uark.edu)