MA / PhD Philosophy at University of South Carolina

Programme overview

Pursue advanced study in a variety of philosophical subdisciplines and engage in interdisciplinary research through our graduate program in philosophy. As a graduate student, you will deepen your understanding of philosophy with intensive study of ethical theory, philosophy of language, history of philosophy, philosophy of science and more. You also have the option to research in other disciplines, including the social sciences, linguistics, physics, gender studies and religious studies, in an affordable and growing city.

Faculty: McCausland College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Philosophy | Duration: 24 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Location: Columbia, SC, United States

What you will study

Some of the most popular student experiences are our Colloquium series and Queen Street Symposium, where students can interact with visiting philosophers from around the globe. Our department is also affiliated with the Ann Johnson Institute for Science, Technology and Society, which builds diverse communities for philosophical studies.

Career pathways

Potential careers include Consultant, Administrator, Writer, Teacher, Engineer, Artificial Intelligence Researcher.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admissions (University of South Carolina Academic Bulletin): The philosophy department admits new students into the M.A. program in the fall semester of each year. Applications for admission are reviewed during the previous spring term. Normally, to be admitted with full standing, a student will have completed 18 hours of course work in philosophy above the introductory level. Applicants must also have met the general admission requirements of the Graduate School. Applicants should arrange for three letters of recommendation and transcripts to be sent to the Graduate School; GRE scores are not required. In addition, all applicants should send a sample of philosophical writing (maximum length 6,000 words) and a brief statement of purpose (400 words) to the department. Letters of recommendation should come from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic achievement and potential and should specifically address the applicant’s potential for...

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applications are accepted for Fall, Spring and Summer terms; Fall applications open the prior September, Spring applications open in January and Summer applications open in May.

The graduate application fee is $50 per primary application, reinstated effective August 1, 2026. Deadlines are programme-specific and listed per programme on the Degree Programs and Application Requirements pages.

Apply through the official page: https://www.sc.edu/admissions-at-sc/applications/index.php

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