New York University
Department of Philosophy
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Requirements for the PhD

Deadlines (to be in good standing)


Fall course completion deadline: beginning of sixth week of following Spring term.
Spring course completion deadline: first day of following Fall term.

At all times
Enroll for 12 credits every semester until you have 72 credits
Maintain a GPA of 3.3 or better
Have successfully completed at least 2/3 of credits attempted

Semester 1
Take proseminar

Semester 2
3 courses completed by course completion deadline
Take proseminar

Semester 3
5 courses completed by course completion deadline

Semester 4
8 courses completed by course completion deadline
From this point on, your cumulative average grade should be an A

Semester 5
Submit Third Year Review papers by first day of term
10-11 courses completed by course completion deadline
Settle on a thesis prospectus advisor
Pass Third Year Review by end of semester

Semester 6
Have satisfied distribution requirement by course completion deadline
Add two thesis prospectus committee members
Submit prospectus by end of tenth week
Defend prospectus by end of semester


Distribution Requirements


1 course in logic (talk to Kit Fine)
1 course in value theory (ethics, aesthetics, philosophy of law, or political philosopy)
1 course in M&E (metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind)
1 course in history of philosophy (ancient, midieval, early modern, or 19th century)
At least 3 courses outside value theory
At most 2 Background (= Advanced Introduction) courses or undergraduate courses
2 associated writing courses
At least 7 of the 11 basic courses must be taken in the NYU Philosophy Department