DePaul University’s Graduate Programs in Philosophy offer students the opportunity to study the history of philosophy from a broad, though not exclusively, European perspective and to work with some of the leading scholars in contemporary Continental thought, German Idealism, social and political theory, and ethics. Our highly innovative M.A. and Ph.D. programs are designed for students who are interested in reading the history of philosophy extending from early Greek thought, through Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz and Kant, to more contemporary thinkers such as Hegel, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Foucault, Irigaray and Derrida. While focusing on 19th and 20th century Continental Philosophy and the historical sources of these movements, we also provide our students with the necessary background to become conversant with other philosophical traditions and styles. Both the content of our offerings and the style in which we pursue our studies differ from those of most other schools in the English-speaking world. We emphasize research seminars rather than survey courses, research papers rather than exams, guided research with students rather than comprehensive examinations. We prefer close-reading of texts to distant talk, careful and disciplined research to pedagogical rites of initiation. Students are strongly encouraged to refer to texts in the original language, in addition to translations, and are expected to acquire reading abilities in the foreign languages relevant to their research - at least one at the M.A. level, and at least two at the Ph.D. level. The Department offers courses, seminars, mini-courses, directed research, and colloquia to stimulate the student’s investigation of various philosophies and philosophical problems. It also stresses faculty counseling so that the program of each student can be tailored to his or her particular needs. Our program includes a regular Graduate Student Seminar, a student-organized forum in which students present papers and discuss their work. In addition, the Department hosts a national conference for graduate students each Spring. Graduate students also elect a representative each year who votes on all issues raised at departmental meetings. Further, every graduate student is encouraged to attend and participate actively in departmental meetings. Purpose The Department’s graduate programs seek 1.) to prepare those for teaching and research who have the scholarly competence to pursue academic work culminating in the master’s or doctor’s degree; and 2.) to offer to the capable adult whose philosophical goals are non-vocational the opportunity to study philosophy for personal enrichment. In keeping with the interests of its faculty and the need for focus on the graduate level, the department concentrates on 19th- and 20th-century Continental Philosophy and the historical sources of these movements. Master of Arts The department offers two programs leading to the master’s degree. The first requires a master’s thesis and is intended for those desiring to continue their studies for the doctoral degree. The second program does not require a thesis and is intended as a terminal degree for those desiring to further their knowledge of philosophy but who may not intend to make a career of it. Even students taking a terminal master’s degree can profit from the experience of writing a thesis, however, and upon the approval of the graduate committee this option is open to them. Click here for more. Doctor of Philosophy The department offers courses, seminars, independent studies and dissertation direction culminating in the award of a Ph.D. in philosophy. While the program touches diverse areas of philosophy, its chief orientation is toward Continental Philosophy, with many members of the department concentrating on issues in ethics and values studies within the tradition or in relation to the broader philosophical tradition. Most graduate courses are taught in a series of streams organized each year under generic titles, such as German Idealism; Ethics; Society and Politics; or Contemporary French Philosophy. These are all research courses, with no distinction being made between M.A. and Ph.D. course levels. The expectation is that M.A. students will pursue the three courses of a stream through the year, unless they can offer convincing reasons for a shift from one stream to another; Ph.D. students, after completion of the M.A., are free to move in and out of streams as their research and interests dictate. Click here for more. Women's and Gender Studies Option Philosophy graduate students may obtain a certificate from the Women's and Gender Studies Program by taking 4 courses approved by the Women's and Gender Studies Program in either Philosophy or Women’s and Gender Studies. For specific information and advice for applicants to our graduate programs, click here.