Our philosophy department provides a challenging and stimulating environment in which graduate students are afforded the opportunity to develop academically and professionally. Beyond the graduate seminars offered each semester, academic growth is fostered in a variety of informal venues. All funded graduate students and faculty have offices in either Dodd Hall or the Diffenbaugh Building. As a result, many graduate students interact daily with members of the faculty and each other.
We offer admission on either an MA or PhD track. And, within the MA track, students may opt for our philosophy of science major. See our graduate handbook for details about the graduate program. The pre-MA portion of the program is the same on both tracks. Students admitted on the MA track may apply to continue for the PhD. Students admitted on the PhD track who already have an MA in philosophy receive credit for their previous course work.
In recent years, all admitted students on both the MA track and the PhD track have been fully funded. Funding includes a tuition waiver and a stipend, as well as payment of the health insurance premium.
The department also offers a Graduate Certificate in Bioethics.
Each semester the department organizes a colloquium series featuring distinguished scholars as well as our own faculty and graduate students. Recent speakers have included Andreas Huettmann, Jules Coleman, Linda Alcoff, John Corvino, Richard Samuels, Kathryn Tabb, and Iskra Fileva.
During the fall and spring semesters, graduate students and faculty from philosophy, religion, and humanities meet weekly to read and translate texts of ancient Greek philosophers.
In addition, the Philosophy Graduate Student Association (PGSA) sponsors regular informal discussions on topics ranging from freedom and responsibility to non-western philosophy. The PGSA also annually co-sponsors a Graduate Student Conference with graduate students from the University of Florida.
All graduate students appointed as Teaching Assistants have the opportunity to gain teaching experience at FSU. All assist the department as graders or discussion section leaders, and some have the opportunity to teach courses of their own. All graduate assistants complete training provided by the Center for the Advancement of Teaching (CAT), and graduate instructors also complete a course on teaching in the discipline.
Graduate Degree Programs
Resources
- Program for Instructional Excellence (PIE)
- The Graduate School at FSU
- McKnight Fellowship
- Graduate School Fellowships and Grants
Interested in Applying?
- Graduate (MA/PhD) Admissions FAQ
- More Questions? Please feel free to reach out to us through the following email contacts or by using the inquiry form below:
- Academic: Piers Rawling, prawling@admin.fsu.edu
- Application process: philosophy@admin.fsu.edu