Applying to Graduate School

Are you interested in earning an advanced degree? There are lots of factors to consider. For example, you should carefully weigh your career goals against the cost of a degree: Will that cost be balanced by a higher expected starting salary? Is financial aid available? Is the degree a requirement for your chosen career? Most importantly, you should reflect on why you want to pursue graduate study and how it might help you achieve your personal and professional goals.

The purpose of this page is to help you make informed decisions about these issues as you think about continuing your studies.

What Is an “Advanced Degree”?

An advanced degree is a post-graduate degree earned by someone who has already been awarded a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.). It indicates additional or advanced study in a single subject and—except in the case of "professional degrees"—usually involves some period of extended academic research. 

An advanced degree is different than a “Credential,” which may not require coursework, does not involve academic research, and which is intended to certify that you have undertaken certain training or possess certain skills. Licenses (for instance, licenses to practice nursing, to prepare taxes, to teach in a public school) are examples of credentials, as are certain professional designations (like CPA).

There are as many reasons to pursue—or not to pursue—a graduate degree as there are individual graduates. Explore some of the options below:

What If I Want to Teach?

Except in very rare circumstances, an advanced degree is a requirement for teaching at a College, Community College, or University, regardless of the subject area. Therefore, an advanced degree is (usually) a requirement for becoming a professor. The specific expectation is that a professor will have earned or will be working toward the terminal—that is, the highest—degree in their field. In the case of the fine arts (and some other disciplines, a) terminal degree may be a Masters degree (such as an M.F.A). In the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, however, the terminal degree is usually the Doctorate (or: a PhD).

Note than advanced degree is usually not a requirement to teach in a primary or secondary school (that is, in elementary school, middle school, or high school). The requirement for teaching in a public primary or secondary school is usually a teaching credential (a credential may or may not be needed to teach in a private school). For more information on earning a teaching credential at CSUN, see here.

Why Pursue an M.A. in Philosophy or the Humanities?

There are many reasons you might want to pursue an M.A. in Philosophy or a related discipline. One reason is that you simply want to continue your studies. That’s great! The study of philosophy—indeed, of humanistic inquiry, more broadly—is fulfilling and meaningful. However, you should always weigh the expected (personal and professional) benefits of an MA against the cost of the degree program: Will you need to take out additional loans to complete your degree? Is there a degree program that fits your interests where you already live? If not, do you have the resources (and the flexibility) to move?

Another reason to pursue an MA is to get a leg-up in a future career. In this case, it will be useful to have a particular career path in mind and to determine whether an MA will in fact translate into greater success (or a higher salary). Here is some data that suggests that an MA in Philosophy may help you increase your earning potential. But you should evaluate whether this is sufficient to offset any cost you incur while you earn the degree.

A third reason to pursue an M.A. is to prepare you for entry in a competitive PhD Program. If you majored in Philosophy but want to pursue a PhD in a closely related field (for instance, in Religious Studies, Comparative Literature, or Political Science), an MA in your target field may be necessary to make that transition successfully. A good MA Program in Philosophy will also prepare you to apply to a PhD program. Specifically, the additional coursework and focused study of the MA will allow you to broaden your philosophical training; to cultivate professional relationships; to focus your research interests (and thus write a more effective statement of purpose); and to perfect your writing sample (which is the most important part of your application package).

Whatever your reasons for pursuing an MA, it is usually inadvisable to take on additional debt to do so. If you choose graduate work or advanced study, you should apply widely, carefully considering any funding packages you are offered in light of your long-term goals.  

Why Pursue a PhD. in Philosophy?

If your career goals involve teaching philosophy at a post-secondary level (so, in a community college, 4-year college, or university), you will need a PhD in philosophy. (If your career goals involve teaching a different subject at a post-secondary level, you will usually need a PhD in that field). Of course, there is value in graduate study in philosophy even if a faculty position is not your goal. Here are some people who have put their graduate degrees to use outside of academia:

• Free Range Philosophers: Loving Wisdom Outside the Academy
• Philosophers Who've Forged Non-Academic Careers
• Philosophers Succeeding Outside the Academy
• APA Spotlight on Philosophers Beyond the Academy
• Daily Nous Resources and Reports on Non-Academic Jobs

Whatever your path, it is important remember that a doctorate is an enormous commitment of time and resources. It requires intense focus and passion, as well as self-discipline. Further, the best graduate school for your goals may not be in a location that you find desirable, or that is close to family or community. You should make sure that the commitment of time and of resources, as well as the relative lack of control over where you spend 4-8 years, makes sense for you in light of your longer-term goals. 

Is Graduate School in Philosophy the Right Choice?

Graduate school can be incredibly rewarding and incredibly difficult: One thing you may hear from trusted advisors is that you should not pursue an academic career if you can imagine doing anything else. This advice is intended to reflect some of the unique challenges of graduate study and the academic life. You should take a moment to explore these here before you begin the process of identifying and applying to graduate schools.

Undaunted by the “hard truths” we just outlined? Then, let us help you choose and apply to a program that is right for you!

Choosing a PhD Program in Philosophy

There is no such thing as “the best graduate program in philosophy.” As you work on a list of target programs, your goal should be to pick the best program(s) for you. That means identifying a program or programs that can support your research and professional goals.

To develop this list, you should think carefully about what you are passionate about within the field of philosophy—for instance, you should identify one or more sub-disciplines (metaphysics, epistemology, aesthetics, social and political philosophy, the history of philosophy, etc.) that you intend to focus on and find a program that has faculty who can support you in that area.

To find those programs, here are three places to look:

1. The APA Guide to Programs in Philosophy is a searchable list of all graduate programs, with the ability to filter by location and specialization.
2. The Philosophical Gourmet is a ranking of graduate programs, offering both overall and specialty rankings. While it may be a useful tool, note that the ranking reflects a very specific perspective and image of philosophy that may not align with your interests or goals.
3. The Pluralists Guide to Philosophy was developed as an alternative to the Philosophical Gourmet. While it does not provide rankings, it is an especially helpful resource for students interested in Continental philosophy, non-Western philosophy, and social and political philosophy (outside the analytic tradition).

Once you have developed a list of 10-15 programs that feel like a good fit, you should explore the Department websites to explore their application requirements and curriculum; see what current graduate students are studying; and examine any job placement data they advertise. You can supplement your research by comparing job placement data from graduate programs that is available here. 

Applications Timeline

Graduate school applications are usually due between October and January for a starting date the following Fall.

Starting more than 1 year before applications are due, you should:

• Work with a faculty member in your chosen field to develop an initial list of target programs.
• Determine whether the GRE (or any other admissions test) is required by any of the programs on your list. 
• Decide whether you will enroll in a GRE prep-course.

At least 1 year before applications are due, you should:

• Finalize your list of target programs
• Schedule a GRE test-date (if needed)
• Identify faculty members from whom you will request letters of recommendation and let them know about your plans.
• Identify, and begin to work on, your writing sample.

Fall of application year, you should:

• Work with a faculty member to draft your statement of purpose.
• Gather any additional application materials (including those needed for financial aids
• Secure letters of recommendation
• Finish your writing sample
• Take GRE (if needed).

Applying to PhD Programs in Philosophy

Application materials to a PhD program will usually include:

• Academic Transcripts
• 3-4 letters of recommendation from faculty members familiar with your experience and work
• GRE test scores
• A statement of purpose
• A writing sample
• A Curriculum Vitae (or, academic resume)
• An application fee

A note about your Statement of Purpose

Unlike the "personal statement" that you may have written to gain admission to CSUN, a statement of purpose for a PhD program is intended to introduce you to your potential faculty supervisors as a scholar and peer. It should outline your philosophical journey, demonstrate seriousness of purpose, show that you understand and can meet the challenges of graduate school and a career in professional philosophy, and explain your planned program of research. It can feel overwhelming to identify and describe a research program while still an undergraduate. So, it is important to realize that the statement of purpose is not a contract; it is natural that your interests will shift as you continue your studies. However, the statement of purpose is in many ways a "match-making document: It is used by admissions committees not only to evaluate your philosophical skills and expertise, but to determine whether they have the appropriate faculty to supervise your research for 5-8 years. To that end, it is best to be specific and, where possible, identify faculty members in the target department with whom you would like to study.  

A note about your Writing Sample

The writing sample is the most important part of your application package. It should be the best piece of writing you have ever produced, and it should read as a polished piece of philosophical scholarship of approximate 15-20 pages. You should plan to be working on editing, revising, and expanding your writing sample, under the supervision of a trusted faculty member, for at least the year preceding your application to graduate school.

For further information on applying to graduate school, including practical information and advice, we recommend the American Philosophical Association webinar, which you can access below.

Then, feel free to reach out to a trusted faculty member for advice, and to begin your journey!

• APA Webinar on Applying to Graduate School in Philosophy