DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

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GRADUATE PROGRAMS

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The Philosophy Department at Wayne State University offers both M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Philosophy.  Graduate study in Philosophy at Wayne State may be pursued and graduate degrees in Philosophy may be sought for a variety of reasons.

The M.A. program may be pursued

• to enhance one's knowledge and appreciation of Philosophy, or
• to complement one's work in another field, or
• to train for or to make up one's mind about pursuing the Ph.D.

Approach.  The Department's strength is its distinctive approach and vision, centering on the fundamental areas in analytic philosophy.  We offer a wide range of courses, in epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, the history of philosophy, logic, the philosophy of mind, the philosophy of language, the philosophy of science, the philosophy of art, and the philosophy of law.  (To see currently and recently offered classes and future course offerings, click here .)

Faculty.The Faculty of Philosophy Department have received their doctorates from some of the leading universities in the United States. They are engaged teachers who spark intellectual excitement about issues of philosophical and contemporary significance. In their publications, in departmental colloquia, and in their classes, the faculty continues a tradition of lively and penetrating discussion of philosophical issues for which the Wayne State Philosophy Department has long been noted.

Colloquia.The Department maintains an active colloquium program, in which both graduate students and faculty participate fully.  We also have, in the Department, a very useful library of both books and journals.

Financial Aid.  The Department has several sources of financial aid, in the form of Fellowships and Teaching Assistantships and part-time instructorships, for graduate students.  Approximately 89.5% of graduate students in our Ph. D. Program receive some sort of financial assistance.  To find out about opportunities for financial aid, please see the Department's Graduate Handbook and the Wayne State University Web site for financial aid (the links are below), or contact the Graduate Adviser or the Graduate Recruitment Officer, Prof. John Corvino.

Admission Requirements.  A prospective student's application indicates to which program he or she seeks admission:  the M.A. or Ph.D.  The M.A. is not a prerequisite for the Ph.D., though students who do not have a substantial background in Philosophy but who think that they might eventually pursue the Ph.D. are advised to apply for admission to the M.A. program.  A student in the M.A. program may be later admitted to the Ph.D. program.  Credits earned toward the M.A. may be applied to the Ph.D.

For the M.A.:  An undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.6 from an accredited college or 3.0 from an unaccredited college, for upper division (approximately the last 60 credits) of undergraduate courses.  Applicants whose GPA falls below this standard should submit scores from a recent Graduate Record Examination.  It is desirable to have taken courses in logic, value theory, and the history of philosophy, though applicants without any (or minimal) undergraduate philosophy courses are not discouraged from applying. Such applicants should submit a personal statement regarding their reasons for seeking the M.A. in Philosophy.  All applicants should submit three letters of recommendations with their applications.

For the Ph.D.:  An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 for upper division undergraduate courses.  The applicant should have completed an undergraduate major or have done substantial work in philosophy.  Applicants should submit a personal statement explaining why he or she seeks the doctorate in philosophy, three letters of recommendation, and a writing ample.

General questions concerning our graduate programs (including ones concerning qualifications for admission) should be directed to Prof. John Corvino, the Department's Graduate Recruitment Officer.  His address is

Professor John Corvino
Department of Philosophy
5057 Woodward Ave, Rm. 12206.2
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan 48202


His e-mail address is j.corvino@wayne.edu; his phone number is (313) 577-7823.

You might wish to consult Wayne State University's
http://www.gradadmissions.wayne.edu
The site contains a special link for Ph.D. applicants; it contains a downloadable application form (one for domestic and one for foreign applicants), a list of requirements for admission to Ph.D. programs, a directory of Ph.D. programs available at WSU (with links to their websites).

Applicants should submit a cover letter and two copies of the Application for Admission and two copies of their transcripts.

Student who wish to be considered for Graduate Teaching Assistantships or Fellowships should submit all application materials by February 10th.

All application materials, for both the M.A. and Ph. D. programs, should be sent directly to the Philosophy Department (regardless of any information to the contrary you might see).  Applications should be sent to:

Professor Susan Vineberg, Graduate Admissions
Department of Philosophy
5057 Woodward Ave, Rm. 12205.2
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan 48202

Graduate Recruitment Officer, Professor John Corvino	Courses offered by the Philosophy Department	Recent Ph.D.s and M.A.s
Wayne State's Graduate School	The Faculty of the Philosophy Department and their interests	Graduate Adviser, Professor Robert Yanal
Information about Financial Aid at WSU	Graduate Handbook (Adobe Acrobat Reader needed) Download the Acrobat Reader here	Colloquium program
Downloadable application form All applications for admission to the Philosophy Deparment's Graduate Programs should be sent directly to the Philosophy Department, in care of the Graduate Admissions Officer, Prof. Herbert Granger.		Philosophy Department Home Page