Graduate Degree Program Summary
Graduate programs offered
Earn a Graduate Degree
- MA in Philosophy (30-36 cr, Option I, II, or III) with optional specialization:
- Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs
- PhD in Philosophy (90 cr) with optional specialization:
- Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs
Areas of Study
These informal areas of focus may help to shape your course of study but they will not appear on transcripts.
- Epistemology
- Ethics
- History of Philosophy
- Logic
- Metaphysics
- Philosophy of Language
- Philosophy of Law
- Philosophy of Mathematics
- Philosophy of Mind
- Philosophy of Science
- Social and Political Philosophy
Online and Distance Opportunities
Some online coursework may be available for your program; contact dept. for details.Contacts for Philosophy
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Other Ways to Connect
On the Web
Philosophy
Graduate Chair
Professor John Brunero
Graduate Admissions Chair
Professor Reina Hayaki
philgradapp@unl.edu
Campus Address
315 Louise Pound Hall
Lincoln NE 68588-0321
402-472-2425

Application checklist and deadlines
1. Required by Graduate Studies
- Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee
- One set of transcripts
- If English is not your native language: verification of English proficiency
- If you are not a US citizen and you expect an F or J visa: financial information
2. Required by Philosophy
- Entrance exam(s): GRE
- Minimum English proficiency: Paper TOEFL 600, Internet TOEFL 100, IELTS 7.5
- Three recommendation letters
- List of philosophy coursework
- Sample of written philosophical work
- Statement of purpose
When sending GRE or TOEFL scores, our institution code is 6877 and a department code is not needed.
Application Deadlines for Philosophy
- For Financial Consideration: January 15 for Fall.
- Otherwise: Rolling admissions, contact the department for more information.
Application/admission is for entry in a specific term and year. Our academic year is divided into 3 terms: Fall (August-December), Spring (January-May), and Summer (multiple sessions May-August). Some programs accept new students only in certain terms and/or years.
Description
The philosophy graduate program is relatively small which allows for close interaction between students and faculty and among the graduate students. There are frequent colloquia featuring either distinguished visiting speakers or University of Nebraska-Lincoln faculty and graduate students. In particular, the weekly Graduate Student Colloquia provide master's and doctoral students the opportunity to present their academic research.
The department has special strengths in epistemology, metaphysics, and ethics, but students write dissertations across a wide range of fields, including philosophy of religion, history of philosophy, political philosophy, philosophy of language, and philosophy of mind.
Requirements for both the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees include taking core courses in the main areas of philosophy (such as ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, history of philosophy, and logic) and writing research papers in the major areas of philosophy. Work toward the Ph.D. is completed by production of a dissertation. The doctoral program is designed to prepare students for the profession, providing both teaching and research experience.
Courses and More
- Students work with an advisor to create a plan of study and follow the Steps to Degree Completion. See all courses or jump to related subjects:
- Cost of attendance differs from one student to another. Try our Cost Estimator or see Tuition, Fees, and Funding for details.
Faculty and research
Where available, names link to bios or homepages and contact card icons () link to directory listings with address, phone, and email.
Modern European Philosophy; Modern Jewish Thought; Spinoza; Anti-Semitism, Political Theory; Israel and Modern Jewish IdentityDirector, Harris Center for Judaic Studies
Intersection of Law, Psychology, and Philosophy; Mental Health Law; Criminal Law; Capital Punishment
This summary page is maintained by Graduate Studies.
For additional details check out the dept./program website: Philosophy.
Departments: Have an update for this summary? Contact Kurt Mueller.