Admissions

We are a relatively large department with diverse philosophical interests, and we take pride in providing a rigorous and nurturing environment for graduate study in Philosophy. Our PhD program emphasizes both theory and history and represents a variety of philosophical traditions. In addition, we participate in dual JD/MA and JD/PhD programs with the Georgetown University Law Center and dual MD/MA and MD/PhD programs with the Georgetown University Medical School. Students wishing to pursue these programs must apply and be admitted to both Philosophy and the professional school. The Department does not offer a free-standing MA program.

We offer a small number of funded positions (usually five or six per year) for students admitted to the PhD program. These positions provide tuition remissions, living stipends, and health insurance.  In each student’s 1st and 5th years, these positions function as fellowships, and carry no service requirement.  In each student’s 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years, they function as assistantships, and require service as a teaching assistant or teaching associate. Funding is guaranteed for a total of five years for awardees in good standing, but the Department will normally extend assistantship support to students in good standing beyond five years if necessary. Students admitted without financial support can apply for assistantships in later years.

Application Deadlines

PhD programs (incl. joint MD and JD programs): Dec. 15
MD/MA and JD/MA programs: Jan. 15

Please read the complete admissions information found on the Graduate School website, including their FAQ for applicants. The Department requires all applications to be submitted electronically. We no longer require GRE scores and discourage including them in your materials. Applications must include:

  1. Official undergraduate and graduate transcript(s) from all tertiary institutions you have attended
  2. Three letters of recommendation
  3. A personal statement from the applicant of about 500 words
  4. Scores from a TOEFL or IELTS test of proficiency in English is required for non-native English speakers who do not have an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution in which the primary language of instruction is English. You must have a score of 600 (paper test) or 100 (Internet-based test) or higher.  See further details below
  5. An application fee
  6. One sample of written work in philosophy, which should show evidence of the ability to do original work in Philosophy. It should not be more than about 6000 words
  7. An abstract of the writing sample
  8. A brief resume or curriculum vitae, with educational record, employment history, honors, and GPAs

Please note: All application materials must be sent directly to the Graduate School, not to the Philosophy Department.

If you have further questions, you may contact the Director of Graduate Admissions at philosophy.gradadmissions@georgetown.edu.

Apply Online

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences has an online application that you complete and submit using a secure online form processed by ApplyYourself. If you are ready to apply, please use this APPLY ONLINE link to proceed directly to the online application.

Please read all Application Procedures and instructions carefully before beginning the application. For information on technical support, confirmation of the application submission, and dual program submission, please read below.

Submission of a Dual Program Application

Applicants selecting approved dual programs or multiple programs can use one single electronic application form. Those applicants who wish to apply to more than one department, including applicants to dual degree programs, must pay an application fee and submit separate transcripts to each department to which application is being made. You will be able to make your program selections for dual or multiple programs in the program selection section of the online application.

 TOEFL / IELTS (Foreign Applicants’ English Language Proficiency Requirement)

All applicants who are not native speakers of English are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language sufficient to meet the admission requirement of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Proficiency can be demonstrated by the receipt of a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction (please note that applicants receiving degrees at universities in U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico, are required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS unless the primary language of instruction at the institution is English). All other applicants must achieve at least a minimum score on either the TOEFL or IELTS test. Test scores must be received by the application deadline date. Applicants should allow six to eight weeks from the test date for the reporting of scores to the institution. Applications will not be considered without TOEFL/IELTS scores.

TOEFL: A minimum score of 600 (paper-based test) or of 100 (iBT test)  on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  TOEFL information: http://www.ets.org/toefl/

IELTS: A minimum score of 7.5 from the International English Language Testing System. IELTS Information: http://www.ielts.org/ 

For information concerning the time and place where the TOEFL is given, applicants should contact:

TOEFL
Telephone in the U.S.: 609-771-7100
Internet: http://www.toefl.org/ (new window)
Georgetown University Graduate School ETS Code: 5244