Philosophy, PhD
The Philosophy PhD is an opportunity to engage with profound questions, both scientific and humanistic, at the highest level. It also prepares students for careers teaching and writing philosophy, or for a growing number of alternative careers in and beyond higher education. Our graduates include scholars and leaders at universities throughout the United States and in other countries as well. Please take a look at our placement page, and please also do not hesitate to contact the Graduate Director by email if you have questions about whether UT’s Philosophy PhD program is right for you.
Program Overview
The PhD in Philosophy is a research-focused program that prepares students for careers in philosophical research and teaching at the post-secondary level.
The program’s main strengths are in ethics and value theory, including virtue ethics, the Kantian tradition, and applied ethics & political philosophy; metaphysics and epistemology, including free will, action theory, and philosophy of science; and history of philosophy, including modern German philosophy and ancient Greek philosophy.
Graduate students study with leading scholars whose work helps define their fields. In addition, through our active colloquium series, we invite distinguished visiting speakers whose work connects to seminar topics and readings. The department hosts two conferences annually, the Tennessee Value and Agency (TVA) conference during each fall semester and the Philosophy Graduate Student Association conference during each spring semester. The department funds graduate student travel to conferences, and our students have a strong record of conference presentations and publication.
Graduate students also receive pedagogical training and opportunities to teach independently as they prepare for an academic career.
Why Study Philosophy?
The most common reason people do a PhD in Philosophy is that they value philosophy so much they want to spend their life doing it.
The PhD is the highest degree in the field and is normally required to teach at the collegiate or postgraduate level. The skills learned and knowledge gained on the way to the PhD are also normally necessary for contributing to the advancement of philosophical understanding by publishing in professional journals and with academic presses.
Other reasons to do a PhD in Philosophy include preparation for careers such as working on ethics boards or ethics centers, in grantmaking and academic administration, or in technology, artificial intelligence, and data management.
What Can You Do with a PhD in Philosophy After Graduation?
While the academic job market is more unpredictable than ever, the UT Philosophy Department takes pride in its track record of placing PhDs into good jobs; please consult our placement page for details.
We put considerable effort into preparing students for the job market. Our graduates have positions at numerous colleges and universities, including the City University of New York, George Mason University, and the University of Arizona.
Some of our graduates direct clinical ethics or other applied ethics programs, including at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, the Cleveland Clinic, and the Prindle Institute for Ethics.
Featured Courses
PHIL 520 Topics in Ancient or Medieval Philosophy
Intensive critical work on major philosopher or school.
PHIL 528 Topics in Contemporary Philosophy
Intensive critical work on themes in late 20th-century philosophy.
PHIL 540 Ethical Naturalism
This course covers various topics in ethical naturalism.
PHIL 574 Topics in Epistemology
This course covers various topics in epistemology.
Complementary Majors, Minors, and Certificates
Looking to enhance your degree? Consider these programs as a complement to your primary major.
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