Requirements

Applicants to the Ph.D. program in Philosophy must hold a bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by one of the regional accrediting agencies. The Department expects applicants to have completed at least 18 credits in Philosophy, to have earned an overall grade point average of 3.5 or better, and to have earned a GRE verbal test score of 650 or better and an analytic writing score of 5 or better.

How to Apply

1. Please visit the web pages of the Office of Graduate Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at www.gradartsci.villanova.edu to request additional information, view application deadlines or to begin your online application.
2. If you have questions, contact Rev. James McCartney, O.S.A., Ph.D., the Program Director, at james.mccartney@villanova.edu or program coordinator theresa.dimartino@villanova.edu , 610-519-8997 to discuss your interest in doing graduate work.
3. Submit the following materials:
   • Application for admission online.
   • Application Fee: $50 payable by credit card online. The fee is waived for students with a Villanova degree.
   • Transcripts: upload unofficial transcripts of all previous college work (undergraduate and graduate where applicable).  Applicants in their last year of undergraduate study who have not completed their bachelor’s degree should provide an unofficial transcript of all courses completed at the time of application, and submit official transcript when the undergraduate degree is completed. (if graduate studies requires one)
   • Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application review beginning in Summer 2013 and beyond. Official transcripts must be provided upon an offer of admission.
   • Three Letters of Recommendation.
     
   • Graduate Record Examination:  Please note that GRE scores from tests taken more than five years before the date of application will not be accepted.
   • A Statement (2 pages) about your fields of interest, pertinent experience, prior research and objectives in seeking a graduate degree.
   • A Recent Writing Sample
4. Special Instructions
   • The application deadline is February 1; students are admitted for the Fall term only.
   • All applicants are considered for a graduate assistantship; no separate application for an assistantship needs to be submitted.
   • For international applicants who are admitted, the requirement for financial certification will be satisfied by the graduate assistantship they receive.
     Applicants interested in the interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Philosophy and Theology should familiarize themselves with that program’s particular requirements on the department website, and are invited to apply for the Graduate Assistantship for Interdisciplinary Studies in Philosophy and Theology

International Students need to submit additional application materials:

• Official TOEFL or IELTS scores
• Credentials Evaluation
• Financial Certification