phd philosophy western

The following policy describes the information gathering and dissemination practices for Roseman University of Health Sciences’ main website (roseman.edu), all sites in the roseman.edu domain, and other affiliated University websites/domains

Shadi Heidarifar, PhD, MA

Assistant Professor in Bioethics

• PhD – Philosophy, University of Florida
• MA – Philosophy, University of Western Ontario
• BA – Philosophy, University of Tehran

Dr. Shadi Heidarifar joined the Roseman University College of Medicine (RUCOM) in the Fall of 2024 as the Assistant Professor in Bioethics in the College of Medicine and a Graduate Faculty in the College of Graduate Studies. She has won multiple awards, grants, and fellowships for her graduate research, including the Association for Academic Women’s Emerging Scholar Award and CLAS Dissertation Fellowship at the University of Florida and the Educating Character Initiative Professional Development Grant at Wake Forest University. She focuses on student-centered learning, promoting intellectual and moral growth. With the Educating Character Initiative Grant, she is developing a non-Western AI ethics curriculum for non-humanities students.

Dr. Heidarifar research focuses on taking a virtue approach to social ontology and epistemology. As an extension of this theoretical framework, she focuses on gendered and ethnoracialized social structures in her empirically informed project, especially in education, healthcare, and technology. Her research is reflected in her upcoming book project, Exceptional Women [tentative title], where she focuses on all-or-nothing attitudes to women’s healthcare, its result, false consciousness as a structural epistemic vice, and how the healthcare professionals’ unique epistemic situatedness can either help overcome false consciousness or further reinforce it depending on the type of education they receive.

Teaching Areas and research interests:

• Feminist Bioethics
• Women’s Healthcare
• Ethics of Technology
• Data Ethics
• Data Feminism
• Virtue Ethics
• Virtue Epistemology
• Character Education
• Feminist Philosophy

Select Peer-Reviewed Publications:

• Heidarifar S. From gender segregation to epistemic segregation: a case study of the school system in Iran. J Philos Educ . 2023;57(4-5):901-922. doi:10.1093/jopedu/qhad068

Last updated: 08/27/2024

Department of Political Science College of Social Science

I am a PhD candidate in political philosophy with an emphasis on ancient political philosophy. My other research interests include modern political philosophy, 20th century political philosophy, statesmanship, American political thought, politics and literature, and William Shakespeare and politics. My dissertation, “Philosophical Politics: Tension between Philosophy and Politics in Cicero’s  Republic ”, is an interpretation of the political doctrine of Marcus Tullius Cicero. In it, I examine how contemporary debates regarding the effects of philosophy on politics appeared already in the writings of Cicero, who was himself both a philosopher and a statesman. The dissertation begins with a history of the critique of philosophy in the 20th century through a sketch of the intellectual portraits of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Michael Oakeshott, Leo Strauss and Hannah Arendt. Then, it moves into how those thinkers’ thoughts are prefigured in Cicero’s  Republic . The bulk of the dissertation is a close reading of Books 1, 2 and 6 of Cicero’s  Republic . While Cicero begins the  Republic  with a damning critique of philosophers which continues in the form of speeches by Laelius, one of the interlocutors in the dialogue, the  Republic  also provides a counterargument defending philosophy in the form of speeches by Scipio, the main interlocutor of the dialogue. The dissertation examines the dialectics between Scipio and Laelius which culminate in the most famous section of the dialogue, “The Dream of Scipio”, a wide-ranging speech about politics, philosophy, music and astronomy. I have also finished a manuscript on Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Emile entitled, “Rousseau’s Moral Vegetarianism in Emile”. In this article, I examine how Jean-Jacques Rousseau defended vegetarianism, both scientifically and morally, and how this defense is related to Rousseau’s overall moral thought. Besides my dissertation, I am also working on critiques of totalitarianism in Evelyn Waugh’s works,  Love among the Ruins  and  Decline and Fall .  Another project I have embarked on is the examination of love in Shakespeare’s  A Midsummer Night’s Dream . A native of Myanmar, I received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and classics at the Great Books program at St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  

Research and Teaching Interests

Ancient Political Philosophy, Modern Political Philosophy, 20th century Political Philosophy, American Political Thought, Statesmanship, Politics and Literature, William Shakespeare and Politics Curriculum Vitae

[email protected]

Hire an MSU PhD

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Department of Philosophy

Sean Driscoll

Assistant professor of philosophy.

Ancient Greek Philosophy

Environmental Philosophy

The Experience

• Career Impact
• Global Opportunities
• Inclusion + Belonging
• History + Legacy
• Convocation Ceremony

Academic Expertise

• AI + Data Analytics
• Family Business
• Social Impact + Sustainability
• Entrepreneurship

Degree Programs

• Full-Time MBA
• Executive MBA
• Master in Management
• Evening & Weekend MBA
• Certificate Program for Undergraduates
• Which Program is Right for Me?
• Admissions Events
• Academic Calendars

Executive Education

• Online Programs
• Programs for Individuals
• Nonprofit Programs
• Programs for Groups
• The Kellogg Advantage
• Contact Executive Education
• Request a Brochure
• Find a Program
• Alumni Network
• Career Journeys
• Global Impact
• Student Stories
• Applying to Kellogg
• Inclusion and Belonging

Publications and blogs

• Kellogg Magazine
• Kellogg Insight
• See All News + Stories

Academics + Research

• Faculty Directory
• Institutes + Centers
• Case Studies
• Faculty Teaching Awards
• Academic Departments
• Research + Books
• Faculty Recruiting
• Evening + Weekend MBA
• Deferred Enrollment
• PhD / Doctoral
• Undergraduate Certificate

Additional resources

• Tuition + Financial Aid
• Log into my account portal
• Companies + Recruiters

Kellogg PhD funding and aid 

PhD program funding

All candidates accepted into the Kellogg Doctoral Program receive funding to help cover living and educational expenses for five years. In fact, 100% of our students are funded. You’ll also have access to experimental laboratories and high-end computational systems at Kellogg and Northwestern University. These resources are in addition to the funding our students receive to support their dissertation research.

Graduate funding

• Fellowship stipend
• Teaching and research assistantships
• Tuition scholarship
• Payment of the annual fee for single coverage in the Northwestern Student Health Insurance Plan as a full-time registered and funded graduate student

Research funding

Kellogg has vast research resources for our doctoral students and faculty and strives to be innovative and responsive to the research needs of our academic community. Kellogg provides PhD students with computer subsidies, conference travel funding, and opportunities to apply for additional funding to support their dissertation research.

Computer subsidy

Kellogg students are provided with a one-time only computer subsidy ($2,000) to purchase computer equipment for their PhD studies. Students purchase this equipment at their own discretion, and receipts are not required.

Conference travel funding

Kellogg students are provided with a total budget of $4,000 to cover the cost of their conference travel when presenting a paper (not just attending a conference) or during the academic job market. Students may also utilize a Conference Travel Grant through The Graduate School (TGS) to attend a conference.

Additional research funding

To support their dissertation research, Kellogg students may apply for additional research funding for data, software, subject and survey fees, research assistants, and other needs.

Program costs

Funding and billing.

• Tuition 
• Common fees 
• Payment schedules and due dates 
• Login to CAESAR 

STUDENT FUNDING

Tuition and fees for Kellogg PhD program are managed by The Graduate School (TGS) at Northwestern University. The majority of fees are covered by your graduate funding package.

Contact the Kellogg PhD admissions team for more information.

Just a moment please...

Create a profile to start an application or save information to your dashboard.

• Family Name
• Remember me

By clicking on Sign up you agree to the Terms of Use

Jump back into your application or view saved information.

• Email Address
• Recover your password
• Email or Student ID
• Help Forgot password?
• Postgraduate
• Doctor of Philosophy

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Book an online consultation

Frequently asked questions

Events you may be interested in

Albany Open Day 2024

Experience a day of discovery and excitement at our UWA Albany Campus Open Day!

• Categories: In-person
• Audiences: Studying at UWA

Higher Degree by Research Information Session

Join us at our higher degree by research information session and discover how you can achieve your research goals with UWA.

• Audiences: Current students Graduates or near graduates Postgraduate considering higher degrees by research Studying at another tertiary institution Studying at UWA UWA staff

Careers and further study

Take your studies to a new level with a postgraduate degree and discover what career opportunities lie ahead.

Career Pathways

Fees and scholarships.

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course.

Domestic Student Fees

There is no current fee information available for this course. Please visit the fee calculator to browse course fees from a previous year, or other courses.

Scholarships

Postgraduate scholarships  support UWA's position as one of Australia's leading research-intensive universities and the premier research institution in WA.

Research Training Program

Cost of living, international student fees, admission requirements.

If you’re interested in furthering your career by studying this postgraduate degree, find out the admission details below.

Admission Requirements

Approval for admission to a PhD requires an applicant to demonstrate that they have sufficient background and experience in independent supervised research to successfully complete the course. It also requires the University to ensure that appropriate supervision and resourcing are available. Applicants are required to demonstrate that they have met the requirements of the University Policy on: Adequate Research Preparation and any other requirements for admission of the University, and— (a) have a bachelor's degree of this University or equivalent qualification; or (b) (i) have previously undertaken work of a sufficiently high standard towards a higher degree by research in this or another approved institution but not have submitted it for any degree; and (ii) have completed an appropriate PhD research proposal;

A student who wishes to undertake a PhD in the field of creative writing must, in addition, submit a substantial folio of published creative work, normally in the form of one or more books.

Prior to enrolment,  all applicants are required to demonstrate that they have met the University’s English language requirements . 

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the University’s English language requirements  to be eligible for a place.

How to apply

Ready to join us?

Find out how to apply through our online application portal.

We’ll guide you through the application process including important steps, entry pathways and documents you’ll need.

Course details

About the course, quick details.

• Perth (Crawley campus)
• By agreement with their supervisors, students may commence at any time throughout the year, except December.
• Full-time students are expected to spend at least 30 hours per week on their research throughout the year. Part-time students are expected to spend at least 15 hours a week on their research throughout the year.
• 003310F - Human & Behavioural
• 003311E - Science (Paramedical)
• 003312D - Science (Physical and Biological)
• 003314B - Computer Science
• 003316M - Laws
• 003317K - Engineering
• 003318J - Education
• 003319G - Economics & Commerce
• 003320D - Arts
• 003321C - Architecture
• 013797F - Science (Geology and Physical Geography)
• 024816F - Agriculture (Agricultural Economics, Plant & Soil Sciences)
• 024818D - Agriculture (Animal Science)
• 037146K - Dentistry (Public Health)
• 037147J - Dentistry (Biological Sciences)
• 037148G - Dentistry (Paraclinical Sciences)
• 037149G - Dentistry (Clinical)
• 037157G - Medicine (Public Health)
• 037158F - Medicine (Biological Sciences)
• 037159E - Medicine (Paraclinical Sciences)
• 037160A - Medicine (Clinical)
• 055301K - Mathematics
• 058936F - Human and Social Geography
• 4 years full-time

Liz Dallimore

Future Students

• Quick Links
• search-courses Search courses
• Courses and careers
• Accommodation
• UWA Current Students
• Research institutes and centres
• Business and industry
• International engagement
• Giving to UWA
• What's on
• 35 Stirling Highway Perth WA 6009 Australia
• (+61 8) 6488 6000
• Campus tour
• Emergency (+61 8) 6488 2222

• Intranet (Restricted)
• Job Opportunities
• Course Offerings
• Program/Module Information
• Program Counselling
• Awards/Scholarships
• Student Association/Clubs
• Internships and Opportunities
• Course Information
• Program Information
• Funding/Scholarships
• Graduate Handbook
• History Graduate Student Association
• Prospective Students
• MA Students
• PhD Students
• Research Areas
• Recent Publications
• Facilities and Labs
• Research Funding
• Administration
• Post Docs / Visitors
• Undergraduate
• Ph.D. in History

Graduate Studies

• MA in History
• MA, Public History Field
• Collaborative Programs

Our doctoral program trains select graduate students to be professional historians—world-class researchers, teachers, and scholars. Our faculty has deep strengths in Canadian history, the history of international relations and conflict, environmental history, and public history, with courses and eminent scholars in many other areas as well. And we are a recognized leader in the new digital history and digital humanities.

Ph.D. students in our department enjoy access to extensive library collections, excellent departmental facilities, and a world-class digital history lab with facilities unrivalled in Canada, as well as competitive funding, an award-winning faculty, and professional development and teacher training programs devoted to the promotion of academic excellence.

Applicants to the program must have first class standing in a recognized MA program, excellent references, and a well-conceived statement of purpose that demonstrates compatibility with the strengths and supervisory capacity of the department. Please see the  Prospective Students  section of our website for the  application process  and admission requirements , and the  Graduate History Handbook  for detailed regulations and procedures.

Department of History Lawson Hall Rm 2201, Western University London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5B8 Tel: 519-661-3645 [email protected] Privacy | Web Standards | Terms of Use | Accessibility

American Studies

International Relations Program

Public History

• Associate Dean, Teacher Education message
• Primary/Junior Program
• Junior/Intermediate Program
• Intermediate/Senior Program
• ASPIRE - Additional Qualifications
• How to Apply
• Current Teacher Ed Students
• Contact the Teacher Ed Office
• Master of Arts
• Master of Professional Education
• Doctor of Education
• Doctor of Philosophy
• Current Graduate Students
• Contact The Grad Office
• How to Apply to the IB Program
• Teacher Education
• Graduate Education
• International Baccalaureate

Create leading-edge research

Western education's doctor of philosophy, phd – create leading-edge research.

You’re more than a student. At Western Education, you’re an important part of our research team that’s advancing the cause of education in Canada and around the world.

As a PhD student, you get benefits, such as funding for your tuition plus $17,000 a year, a teaching assistantship or research assistantship along with potential funding to attend research conferences.

PhD Common Questions

Why choose our PhD?

A top 1% university in the world

A top-10 university in Canada

$24 million in research grants

Additional scholarships available

Choose your Field of Study:

Field of School and Applied Child Psychology

Field of Applied Linguistics

Field of Critical Policy, Equity, and Leadership Studies

Field of Curriculum Studies

Faculty of Education 1137 Western Road London, Ontario, Canada, N6G 1G7 Tel: 519-661-3182 [email protected] Privacy | Web Standards | Terms of Use | Accessibility

News and Events

Support Services

Social Media

Study with Us

About western, how to apply for the doctor of philosophy and professional doctorates.

You can apply for admission into this program at any time with successful candidates commencing on a quarterly intake basis. Applications are open to both domestic and international applicants.

If you are interested in scholarship opportunities, you can visit our research scholarships page for more information.

Step 1 : Review the admission criteria

Western Sydney University must be satisfied that you have the skills and experience to commence independent study at a suitable level for entry into a doctoral program.

To be eligible for admission, you must have previously completed at least one of the following degrees:

• Bachelor (Honours Class 1 or Class 2) degree
• Master of Research degree
• Master of Philosophy degree
• Degrees from a university or other tertiary institution equivalent to the above

If you do not meet the admission criteria, the approval of prior research experience or other degrees is at the discretion of the relevant School Dean or Institute Director.

If you do not meet the admission criteria and you are interested in a pathway program, we encourage you to consider our Master of Research (MRes) .

Step 2 : Find a research supervisor

All research candidates have a supervisory panel consisting of a principal supervisor and one or more co-supervisors. You are required to identify a potential research supervisor in your application.

You can visit our find a supervisor page for advice about how to search for a potential supervisor.

When contacting potential supervisors, you should send an email to introduce yourself, describe your degrees and experience, and provide a statement that clearly identifies your area of research interest. Supervisors receive a lot of enquiries from potential applicants so you need to make a good first impression!

When you have confirmed that an academic is interested in being your supervisor, you will need to request a letter of support to include in your application.

Step 3: Prepare a research proposal

A research proposal is an outline of your proposed research project. It should demonstrate that you have a general understanding the proposed area of research and should be approximately one or two pages in length.

Visit the how to write a research proposal page for more information.

Step 4: Prepare your documentation

You are required to include the following documentation in your application:

• Certified copies of all tertiary graduation certificates and academic transcripts for degrees completed outside of Western Sydney University.
• Certified evidence of citizenship status (e.g. passport, birth certificate, citizenship papers, etc.) or certified evidence of residency status (for Australian permanent residents only).
• Evidence of English language proficiency for applicants who completed their previous degrees outside of Australia.
• A letter of support from your proposed supervisor.
• A  research proposal  that clearly identifies your area of research interest and provides a project title and project description.
• Evidence of relevant employment or experience directly related to research training (if applicable).

All copies of official documents must be certified according to Western Sydney University requirements .

Step 5: Review the frequently asked questions

You should review the frequently asked questions below before submitting an application. It is important that you understand the expectations and responsibilities associated with applying for admission into a research degree.

Step 6: Submit your application

The final step is to submit an online application to be assessed for admission. Please ensure you include all the required information as this will help us to streamline the processing of your application.

Frequently asked questions

You can find a list of contacts for each of the Schools and Institutes from the find a supervisor page. When requesting advice about potential supervisors, please provide a general overview of your degrees, experience and area of research interest.

Applications for admission into our doctoral programs are always open to both domestic and international applicants. Your application will be considered for the next available intake.

Yes, you are required to provide a letter of support from a potential supervisor in your application. This will help us to ensure that we are resourced to support your research project.

In your online application, you will find a step with a drop-down list of available sessions. Sessions are the time period where you will commence your study (for example, in the first-quarter of the year).

You should choose the session that is closest to your preferred research commencement date. For example, if you want to start your program in August, you should choose Quarter 3 of the current year. This might not be the session that you actually start, but it will give us an idea of your preference.

You should disregard any sessions that are not quarters as these do not apply to research degrees.

In your online application, you will find a drop-down list of available programs.

You need to choose the program that is most relevant to your preferred discipline. In most cases, the program name will be similar to the School or Institute of your proposed Principal Supervisor.

In your online application, you will find a drop-down list of available campus locations.

You need to choose the campus location where your proposed Principal Supervisor is primarily based. You can search for this information on our  staff directory  or you can ask your Principal Supervisor.

It may take 6-8 weeks to receive an outcome for your application. All offers of admission require a full assessment and endorsement from the relevant School or Institute to ensure the provision of suitable supervision and resources.

If you have a specific question or need further advice, please  submit your enquiry here. 

Further information

Research scholarships, find a supervisor, acknowledgement of country.

With respect for Aboriginal cultural protocol and out of recognition that its campuses occupy their traditional lands, Western Sydney University acknowledges the Darug, Eora, Dharawal (also referred to as Tharawal) and Wiradjuri peoples and thanks them for their support of its work in their lands in Greater Western Sydney and beyond.

• Accessibility
• Complaints Unit
• Admissions Transparency
• Right to Information
• Emergency Help
• 1300 668 370

Website Feedback

Western Sydney University Copyright ©  2004-2024   |   ABN 53 014 069 881  |   CRICOS Provider No: 00917K  |   TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12061 (Australian University)

• Graduate Education Council
• Staff Directory
• Program Contacts
• Regulations
• SGPS Membership
• Institutional Quality Assurance Process
• Explore our Programs
• How to Apply
• Visiting Students
• International Applicants
• New Students
• Affordability Calculator
• Fees and Tuition
• Western Funding
• External Funding
• Financial Assistance
• Receiving Payment
• Income Tax Reporting
• Compensating Graduate Students
• International Funding Opportunities
• Thesis Guide
• Course Registration
• Graduate Supervision Handbook
• Leave of Absence
• Part-time Status
• Master's to Doctoral Transfer
• Thesis Defense Only Status
• Applying to Graduate
• Voluntary Withdrawal
• Dual-Credential Degrees
• Collaborative Specializations
• Inspiring Minds
• Virtual Qualitative Research Module Series
• Thinking Globally Acting Locally
• Western Opportunities
• External Opportunities
• The Appointment Process
• Policies and Procedures
• Resources for Supervisors
• Postdoctoral Association at Western
• STUDY navigating academia
• PLAY finding friends and fun
• PLAN time finances and housing
• CONNECT with community
• SELF-CARE prioritize yourself
• Online Learning
• Own Your Future
• Internship Program
• Competitive Edge
• Funding & Fees
• Postdoctoral Services
• Life & Community
• Career Development
• Computer Science PhD

  Meet our Students

Program inquiries.

Interested in a particular program? Visit the program website to learn more:

Program Directory

Application Inquiries

Inquiries related to the online application can be directed to SGPS at:

Email: [email protected] Phone: 519-850-2341 Fax: 519-661-3730

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization

The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization in all aspects of graduate and postdoctoral studies.  For more information regarding these commitments please visit   grad.uwo.ca/edi-d .

• Computer Science

Meet James Hughes, PhD Alumnus in Computer Science

Program Websites

• Faculty of Science

Program Contact

Department of computer science.

The Department of Computer Science offers a four-year graduate program leading to a PhD in Computer Science. This program provides a high quality, leading-edge education on Computer Science that produces highly capable and sought after researchers and professional leaders. PhD students have the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in computer science with some of the best researchers in the world.

Program Length

Program design.

• Full-time study
• Thesis-based

Funding Information

• Graduate Student Funding Support Package

Applicants are encouraged to apply for the following scholarships (if eligible):

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)
• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
• Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fee schedules (per term) are posted on the Office of the Registrar's website at http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/fee_schedules.html

Graduate Student Affordability Calculator

Use this helpful tool to estimate how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food, and other necessities for a 12-month (three term) academic year.

Admission Requirements

• MSc degree in Computer Science from an accredited university, college or institute.
• Achieved at least a 70% overall average as determined by the Department.

Additional Requirements

For students who do not hold a four-year Honour's degree in Computer Science, to be eligible to apply for admission into the PhD program they must have the equivalent of the following:

• Four-year Honours degree (or equivalent) with very high standing from an accredited university, college or institute.
• Computer Science 3305 (Operating Systems), Computer Science 3331 (Foundations of Computer Science I), Computer Science 3340 (Analysis of Algorithms I), and either Computer Science 3307 (Object Oriented Design and Analysis) or Computer Science 3342 (Organization of Programming Languages.
• One Computer Science course at the third-year or fourth-year level, different from those listed above.
• Two additional Computer Science courses at the fourth-year level.

English Language Proficiency

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum acceptable score is 92 for the internet version with no individual score below 20. [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984 ].
• The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS Academic). Minimum acceptable score is 6.5 out of 9.
• The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL Assessment). Minimum acceptable score is 60.

Application Deadline

• July 31 - Fall term
• September 30 - Winter term

International Applicants:

• February 15 - Fall term
• July 31 - Winter term

Acceptance notifications are processed on a rolling basis. International applicants: Acceptance notification by mid-April. Domestic applicants: Acceptance notification by the end of July.

Fields of Research

• Artificial Intelligence and Computer-Based Games
• Bioinformatics and Biocomputing
• Computer Algebra
• Distributed Systems
• Graphics, Image Processing, and Computer Vision
• Software Engineering and Human Computer Interaction
• Theoretical Computer Science

School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies 1151 Richmond Street London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 3K7 Tel: 519-661-2102 (General) | 519-850-2341 (Admissions Inquiries) Privacy | Web Standards | Terms of Use | Accessibility

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Job Postings
• Full-Time Faculty
• Part-Time Faculty
• Postdoctoral Associates
• Faculty Teaching Awards
• Additional Graduate Faculty
• Graduate Students
• Professors Emeriti
• In Memoriam
• Why Study Philosophy?
• Scholarships and Awards
• Student Information
• Letter of Permission
• Writing Resources
• Key Dates 2024-25
• Teaching Areas
• Financial Support
• Fields of Research
• Student Groups & Events
• Important Dates
• Resources & Forms
• News Archive
• Department Events
• Library Speaker Series
• Graduate Conferences
• Rotman Institute Speaker Series
• Rotman Conference Listing
• Department of Philosophy COVID-19 Updates
• Faculty Publications
• Awards and Distinctions
• Research Groups
• Centre for Digital Philosophy

Rotman Institute of Philosophy

Undergraduate

• News & Events

Graduate Studies

• Application
• Admission Requirements

[email protected] Graduate Chair Angela Mendelovici

Graduate Program Coordinator Meghan Magowan

Graduate Development & Placement Coordinator Anthony Skelton [email protected]

We offer three graduate programs:

• One-year MA
• Four-year PhD
• Five-year Direct-Entry PhD

Frequently Asked Questions

• Should I contact potential supervisors before submitting my application? In general, we do not require or recommend that students attempt to secure a supervisor before applying to the program. Students normally decide on a supervisor and dissertation topic after completing their coursework. As they are completing their coursework, they get a chance to get to know various potential supervisors and think about how they wish to specialize. It is helpful, however, to indicate your research interests in your Statement of Interest. If there are particular faculty members who you are particularly interested in working with, it is helpful to indicate that, too.
• I don't have an MA in philosophy. Can I apply to your PhD program? If you already have a strong background in philosophy, you might consider applying to our five-year direct-entry PhD program. If you feel that you need to strengthen your philosophical background, you might consider applying to our MA program instead. Note that if you apply for our direct-entry PhD program but are considered to lack the requisite background, you might be offered a spot in the MA program instead.
• When will you get back to me about your admissions decision? We aim to get back to applicants by the end of February.
• I don't have an undergraduate degree in philosophy. Am I eligible to apply for your MA program? Yes, you are eligible for our MA program. It would be a good idea to explain in your Statement of Interest how your particular background prepares you for graduate studies in philosophy.
• English is not my native language, but I am proficient in English. Can I have the language proficiency requirements waived? If you believe that the language proficiency requirements should be waived, please contact the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS), who will assess your eligibility for an exemption. We generally accept their decisions. You can reach the SGPS Application Support team at  [email protected] . 
• The application deadline has passed. Can I still apply? No, after the deadline, we cannot consider new submissions. In order to be considered for admission, please submit your application by the deadline. Applications reopen in the fall for submissions for the subsequent academic year. 
• Is there funding available for graduate students? Yes. Funding packages depend on a number of factors, including citizenship status. Please see  here for information on funding packages. 
• Can I submit a third letter of recommendation with my application? We only require two letters of recommendation. However, in special circumstances, applicants may feel that a third letter can provide useful additional information. Please have your letter writer email their letter to  [email protected] from their professional email address.
• Can I submit a writing sample that is not in philosophy? Yes, you can, but this is not recommended. It is in your best interest to submit a writing sample in philosophy.
• Should my writing sample be in my proposed research area? While a writing sample in your proposed research area can help demonstrate research and writing skills relevant to your area, it is usually best to use your strongest writing sample, even if it is not in your research area. 
• How long should my writing sample be?  There is no hard minimum or maximum length, but it is preferable for your writing sample to be no longer than 5000 words (excluding notes and bibliography). 3000–4000 words is a good target. 
• Must letter writers be philosophy professors who have taught me? It is recommended, though not required, that your letter writers be philosophy professors who have taught you, since they will be best able to speak to your qualities that are relevant to your success in our program. In extraordinary circumstances, applicants may wish to request letters from other individuals who know them well. 
• If admitted, can I attend part-time? Unfortunately, our program does not offer part-time enrollment.
• Are you offering seminars remotely during the next academic year? No, we are not planning to offer the option of remote attendance in seminars next academic year. 

If you have further questions about applying to our graduate program, please email  [email protected] to reach the Graduate Chair and the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Department of Philosophy 1151 Richmond Street London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5B8 Tel: 519-661-3453 Privacy | Web Standards | Terms of Use | Accessibility

Graduate Programs

School of Thought

Upcoming Events

Share this page

As a PhD student in the Harvard philosophy program, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your ideas, knowledge, and abilities. You'll work with other doctoral students, our faculty, and visiting scholars, all in a stimulating and supportive environment. The program has strengths across a broad range of topics and areas, so you'll be able to pursue your interests wherever they may lead, especially in moral and political philosophy, aesthetics, epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of logic, philosophy of language, the history of analytic philosophy, ancient philosophy, Immanuel Kant, and 19th and 20th century European philosophy. 

Incoming cohorts consist of five to eight students per year. You will have substantial access to our renowned faculty and all the resources that Harvard makes available. This relatively small size also gives students a sense of intellectual community.

The curriculum is structured to help you make your way towards a dissertation: graduate-level coursework, a second-year research paper, a prospectus to help you identify a dissertation topic, and then the dissertation itself. Recent dissertations in the department have addressed a broad range of topics: Aristotle, Kant, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau; contemporary moral and political philosophy; metaphysics; epistemology; and logic.

In addition to your research, you will also have the opportunity to develop your teaching skills in many different settings across the University.

You can find graduates of the PhD program in many universities. Recent graduates have gone on to tenure track positions at Yale University, Princeton University, Brown University, Northwestern University, Boston University, University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, Washington University, and the University of Rochester. Other graduates have gone on to diverse careers in, among others, the arts, law, secondary education, and technology.

In addition to the standard PhD in philosophy, the department offers a PhD in classical philosophy in collaboration with the Department of the Classics and a coordinated JD/PhD program in conjunction with Harvard Law School. The department also offers a track in Indian Philosophy (administered jointly by Philosophy and South East Asian Studies.

Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Department of Philosophy and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies .

Areas of Study

Philosophy | Classical Philosophy | Indian Philosophy 

For information please consult the Department webpage on the  graduate program overview .

Admissions Requirements

Please review the admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Department of Philosophy .

Academic Background

Applicants to the program in Philosophy are required to have a strong undergraduate background in philosophy (or its equivalent), indicating that they have a good grounding in the history of philosophy, as well as familiarity with contemporary work in ethics, epistemology and metaphysics, and logic.

Personal Statement

Standardized tests.

GRE General: Optional GRE Subject: Optional

Writing Sample

A writing sample is required as part of the application and should be between 12 to 30 pages long. The sample must address a substantial philosophical problem, whether it is an evaluation or presentation of an argument, or a serious attempt to interpret a difficult text. The upload of the writing sample should be formatted for 8.5-inch x 11-inch paper, 1-inch margins, with double-spaced text in a common 12-point font, such as Times New Roman.

Applicants seeking admission to the coordinated JD/PhD program must apply to and be separately admitted to Harvard Law School and the Department of Philosophy.

Theses and Dissertations

Theses & Dissertations for Philosophy

See list of Philosophy faculty

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Questions about the program.

Santa Clara University

The jesuit university in silicon valley.

• Ph.D. Program
• School of Engineering
• Academic Programs
• Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is conferred by the School of Engineering primarily in recognition of competence in the subject field and the ability to investigate engineering problems independently, resulting in a new contribution to knowledge in the field. The work for the degree consists of engineering research, the preparation of a thesis based on that research, and a program of advanced studies in engineering, mathematics, and related physical sciences.

Preliminary Examination

The preliminary examination shall be written and shall include subject matter deemed by the major department to represent sufficient preparation in depth and breadth for advanced study in the major. Only those who pass the written examination may take the oral qualifying examination.

Students currently studying at Santa Clara University for a master’s degree who are accepted for the Ph.D. program and who are at an advanced stage of the M.S. program may, with the approval of their academic advisor, take the preliminary examination before completing the M.S. degree requirements. Students who have completed the M.S. degree requirements and have been accepted for the Ph.D. program should take the preliminary examination as soon as possible but not more than two years after beginning the program.

Only those students who pass the preliminary examination shall be allowed to continue in the doctoral program. The preliminary examination may be repeated only once, and then only at the discretion of the thesis advisor.

General Requirements

Thesis Advisor

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain consent from a full-time faculty member in the student’s major department to serve as his/her prospective thesis advisor.

It is strongly recommended that Ph.D. students find a thesis advisor before taking the preliminary examination. After passing the preliminary examination, Ph.D. students should have a thesis advisor before the beginning of the next quarter following the preliminary examination. Students currently pursuing a master’s degree at the time of their preliminary examination should have a thesis advisor as soon as possible after being accepted as a Ph.D. student.

The student and the thesis advisor jointly develop a complete program of studies for research in a particular area. The complete program of studies (and any subsequent changes) must be filed with the Graduate Services Office and approved by the student’s doctoral committee. Until this approval is obtained, there is no guarantee that courses taken will be acceptable toward the Ph.D. course requirements.

Doctoral Committee

After passing the Ph.D. preliminary exam, a student requests his or her thesis advisor to form a doctoral committee. The committee consists of at least five members, each of which must have earned a doctoral degree in a field of engineering or a related discipline. This includes the student’s thesis advisor, at least two other current faculty members of the student’s major department at Santa Clara University, and at least one current faculty member from another appropriate academic department at Santa Clara University. The committee reviews the student’s program of study, conducts an oral comprehensive exam, conducts the dissertation defense, and reviews the thesis. Successful completion of the doctoral program requires that the student’s program of study, performance on the oral comprehensive examination, thesis defense, and thesis itself meet with the approval of all committee members.

The doctoral degree is granted on the basis of achievement, rather than on the accumulation of units of credit. However, the candidate is expected to complete a minimum of 72 quarter units of graduate credit beyond the master’s degree. Of these, 36 quarter units may be earned through coursework and independent study, and 36 through the thesis. All Ph.D. thesis units are graded on a Pass/No Pass basis. A maximum of 18 quarter units (12 semester units) may be transferred from other accredited institutions at the discretion of the student’s advisor.

Ph.D. students must undertake a minimum of four consecutive quarters of full-time study at the University; spring and fall quarters are considered consecutive. The residency time shall normally be any period between passing the preliminary examination and completion of the thesis. For this requirement, full-time study is interpreted as a minimum registration of eight units per quarter during the academic year and four units during summer session. Any variation from this requirement must be approved by the doctoral committee.

Comprehensive Examinations and Admission to Candidacy

After completion of the formal coursework approved by the doctoral committee, the student shall present his/her research proposal for comprehensive oral examinations on the coursework and the subject of his/her research work. The student should make arrangements for the comprehensive examinations through the doctoral committee. A student who passes the comprehensive examinations is considered a degree candidate. The comprehensive examinations normally must be completed within four years from the time the student is admitted to the doctoral program. Comprehensive examinations may be repeated once, in whole or in part, at the discretion of the doctoral committee.

Thesis Research and Defense

The period following the comprehensive examinations is devoted to research for the thesis, although such research may begin before the examinations are complete. After successfully completing the comprehensive examinations, the student must pass an oral examination on his/her research and thesis, conducted by the doctoral committee and whomever they appoint as examiners. The thesis must be made available to all examiners one month prior to the examination. The oral examination shall consist of a presentation of the results of the thesis and the defense. This examination is open to all faculty members of Santa Clara University, but only members of the doctoral committee have a vote.

Thesis and Publication

At least one month before the degree is to be conferred, the candidate must submit to the Office of the Dean of Engineering two copies of the final version of the thesis describing the research in its entirety. The thesis will not be considered as accepted until approved by the doctoral committee and one or more refereed articles based on it are accepted for publication in a first-tier professional or scientific journal approved by the doctoral committee. All doctoral theses must also be reproduced on microfilm by University Microfilms International, which keeps on deposit the master microfilm copy and responds to requests for copies by individuals and libraries.

Time Limit for Completing Degrees

All requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed within eight years following initial enrollment in the Ph.D. program. Extensions will be allowed only in unusual circumstances and must be recommended in writing by the student’s doctoral committee, and approved by the dean of engineering in consultation with the Graduate Program Leadership Council.

Additional Graduation Requirements

The requirements for the doctoral degree in the School of Engineering have been made to establish the structure in which the degree may be earned. Upon written approval of the provost, the dean of the School of Engineering, the doctoral committee, and the chair of the major department, other degree requirements may be established. The University reserves the right to evaluate the undertakings and the accomplishments of the degree candidate in total, and award or withhold the degree as a result of its deliberations.

The Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Bioengineering are collaborating to offer a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary topics related to Bioengineering. Faculty from both departments will co-advise the Ph.D. students and the degree will be awarded by the Department of Electrical Engineering.

Chair:  Shoba Krishnan Department Manager: Leilani De Nieva

Electrical and Computer Engineering Santa Clara University 500 El Camino Real Santa Clara, CA 95053

Sobrato Discovery, Bldg. 402