Online PhD in Philosophy
An online PhD in Philosophy is a distance learning program that allows students to earn their Philosophy doctorate degree online. An online PhD in Philosophy can be an excellent way to pursue your passion for Philosophy while maintaining your current lifestyle and commitments.
In the past, the only way to acquire a PhD in philosophy was to spend 4–7 years in a classroom, but thanks to online education, the process has gotten much simpler and is now surprisingly affordable and flexible.
In this article, we will dive deep into PhD in philosophy programs online, the coursework, what you will learn during the course, and career opportunities for graduates with a PhD in Philosophy.
If you have been looking for online PhD programs in Philosophy then keep reading as we discuss the 5 Best Online PhD in Philosophy Programs in 2023.
Online PhD in Philosophy
Philosophy can be considered the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered an academic discipline. What this means is that those who engage in the study of philosophy are constantly asking questions and finding answers to existence, reason, knowledge, values, mind, language, and other aspects of life.
In most cases, some of the core areas that you will study during your PhD program will be epistemology, Metaphysics, Logic, Ethics, History of Philosophy, Moral & Political Philosophy, and Aesthetics. Philosophy PhD applicants have the option to focus on a historical or modern philosophical field and may select a specific discipline, such as the philosophy of religion, science, mind, ethics, languages, or law.
Most applicants for online PhD programs in philosophy come from a variety of courses and have already finished a significant amount of graduate-level philosophy coursework. As a result, you will complete a doctoral-level research project under the supervision of your supervisor as a substantial part of your studies to acquire your PhD
Candidates for a PhD in philosophy will also have the chance to work during their studies, either by teaching, writing, editing, or helping with other people’s research. A Bachelor’s degree is required for PhD applicants in philosophy, and a Master’s degree in a related discipline is typically also required. Practical experience in the field that may be seen is advantageous and occasionally necessary.
A typical PhD in philosophy will take between three and five years, and perhaps seven. Graduates with PhDs in philosophy frequently pursue fulfilling professions in academia, publishing, the humanities, psychology, sociology, linguistics, economics, or science, whether in the public or private sector.
Online PhD in Philosophy Curriculum & Courses
The Philosophy online PhD curriculum is largely the same as traditional Philosophy doctorate programs, and students take courses in subjects such as epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, historical concepts, and other Philosophy topics, the only difference will be the fact that you take courses online through webinars, videos, seminars, etc. In addition to coursework, students must also complete a research dissertation.
Most of the time, you will be required to take some of the courses listed below, and additional courses and electives will build on the foundation of those courses.
- Introduction to Philosophy
- Metaphysics
- Epistemology
- Ethics
- Logic
- History of Philosophy
- Modern Philosophy
Depending on the program you selected you might have to complete your coursework as early as the first 2 years and concentrate on research.
Entry requirements
The majority of online PhD in Philosophy programs are extremely competitive, therefore you must perform at your highest level to be chosen. Typically, if you are applying for a PhD in Philosophy, you must have a strong Master’s degree in philosophy or a closely related field. Your academic and professional credentials as well as any relevant professional experience are typically taken into consideration and, in certain cases, even directly count toward the entrance requirements.
Some colleges will ask for additional paperwork to back up your master’s degree, such as
- Academic transcripts,
- Letters of recommendation,
- Resume or curriculum vitae,
- A research proposal that is at least 100 pages long.
You may also need to pass English proficiency tests like the TOEFL or IELTS with a good score depending on your nationality.
You will also need to show that you have the time, dedication, resources, and experience necessary to pursue a research degree via distance learning if you apply for one.
PhD in Philosophy Program Outcome
As a doctor of Philosophy student, you are required to investigate, simplify, present & defend an idea or opinion with the best intellectuals in their field of study, under the supervision of a seasoned researcher(s), and will extend your skills and experiences.
You will acquire the following intellectual, practical, and transferrable abilities while pursuing your DPhil:
- Analyze and make clear an ambiguous question, comprehend and evaluate many methods to it, and come up with your own approach.
- Learn a great deal about the foundational concepts and texts of modern philosophy, as well as the canonical writings of both antiquity and modernity.
- Assemble sophisticated arguments in favor of and against a stance, then dissect them.
- Obtain the mental capacity, speaking and writing abilities, and knowledge necessary for a thorough investigation of the issues surrounding what is true, what is good, and what is beautiful.
- Write lengthy essays that give a thorough analysis of a subject and a convincing independent argument regarding it, delivered in a straightforward, impartial, and scholarly way.
- Learn how to handle the rigors of the job while keeping the passion for the philosophical study that fueled them at the beginning of their professions.
Read more: How to Turn Philosophy Programs into Professional Success
Universities offering PhD in Philosophy Online
- University of Birmingham
- University at Buffalo, New York
- University of York, England
- Warnborough College
- Selinus University of Science and Literature
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a public research university located in Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
The University of Birmingham offers a PhD in Philosophy that spans a wide range of areas, including Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science; Philosophy of Language; Philosophy of Logic; Philosophy of Mathematics; Moral Philosophy (theoretical and practical); Metaphysics and Epistemology; and Philosophy of Religion.
The program can be completed in three years for full-time students and six years for part-time students. You can study in either the traditional PhD format or the PhD by Papers option. The latter indicates that you will have the option to submit papers that are thematically cohesive on a variety of subjects, as well as the chance to attend research seminars and deliver your papers.
This PhD program offers distance learning, which means you can complete your degree without leaving your job.
University at Buffalo, New York
The Department of Philosophy provides graduate study in Philosophy that prepares students to conduct original research in philosophy and applied philosophy fields, as well as train students to be quality instructors.
The student is expected to satisfy the department’s minimum breadth requirements, the equivalent of seven courses, during the first three years of the program. These are logic (1), philosophy history (3), contemporary value theory, and metaphysics/epistemology (3).
The program uses a hybrid learning model, which means that some courses can be taken on campus while others can be completed entirely online. Students are required to complete 72 credit hours over a 5-year period of full-time study. You will be required to conduct a faculty research project near the end of your studies.
Below are some of the proposed areas for faculty research.
- Analytic metaphysics
- Applied ontology
- Bioethics
- Early modern philosophy
- Experimental Philosophy
- Metaethics
- Metaphysics of science
- 19th-century philosophy
- Philosophy of language
- Social & political Philosophy
- Space & time
University of York, England
The University of York is a collegiate research university, established in 1963 and located in the city of York, England.
The University of York offers a PhD and MPhil in Philosophy, MA in Philosophy by research, PhD in Philosophy by Distance Learning. Students of this program follow an approved curriculum of research supervised by a member of the academic staff.
For research degrees, the University requires a prior qualification in philosophy with an average mark of at least 60 (normally a BA for the MA by Research and an MA for the MPhil and PhD and PhD by Distance Learning), a satisfactory research proposal of 1,000 – 2,000 words.
Students with obligations that prevent them from living within a reasonable driving distance of York are best suited for the PhD through distance learning. While a minimum of two weeks of attendance is required each academic year, this program enables students to conduct research abroad and in other parts of the UK while still receiving assistance and instruction over the Internet and video conferencing.
Below are the areas the members of the Department have research interests:
- Aesthetics,
- Art and literature
- History of philosophy (with particular interests in early modern philosophy and German idealism)
- Metaphysics (including philosophy of mathematics and philosophy of time)
- Phenomenology and continental philosophy
- Philosophy of medicine and Health
- Philosophy of mind and perception
- Philosophy of religion
- Political and legal philosophy
- Theoretical and applied ethics (including ethics of AI).
Warnborough College
The name Warnborough is associated with a group of institutions including Warnborough College Oxford, Warnborough College UK, Warnborough College Ireland, and Warnborough University, some of which are no longer in operation
Warnborough University offers a PhD in Ancient Philosophy that focuses on topics such as the origins of civilization and top philosophers such as Plato, Epicurus, Epictetus, and Aristotle. Students enrolled in this program are encouraged to understand what it means to be a philosopher (a “lover of wisdom”) and how living a “philosophic life” contributes to one’s well-being and the development of one’s humanity.
This program also aims at introducing candidates to how the key ancient thinkers addressed the question of how human beings should secure the ‘good life’ and how to ‘live well’ and
to develop an understanding of important concepts required for this endeavor, including ‘good’, ‘pleasure’, ‘happiness’, ‘desire’, and ‘virtue’.
An online learning option is provided for this program. The structure of a given program can be modular, project- or research-directed, or a hybrid of the two. On the basis of prior coursework done and/or evidence of demonstrated proficiency in philosophy and related fields, students may be excluded from certain curricular modules. If they meet the necessary criteria, modules taken at any point during the student’s academic career may be counted.
Selinus University of Science and Literature
Selinus University of Science and Literature offers a PhD in Philosophy and Critical thinking via distance learning. The main requirement for a PhD online through distance learning is to present and discuss a thesis of at least 100 pages for review and evaluation by an academic committee at Selinus University.
Students in the program get the chance to develop their critical, expressive, analytical, and interpretive skills as well as their ability to formulate and respond to oral and written arguments by writing a research thesis on philosophy. The curriculum also recommends applying philosophical knowledge to deal with life’s challenges, whether it be a particular issue or a general malaise.
Career Prospects & Salaries in the Field Philosophy
What Can You Do With a Philosophy Degree?
Employers highly value the talents that are developed via studying philosophy, including critical and analytical thinking, building and defending cogent arguments, understanding complicated concepts, and imaginatively visualizing alternative outcomes.
A PhD in philosophy gives you the opportunity to get into a variety of careers like in academia, writing, policy making, and consulting. The myriad of PhD in Philosophy programs and concentrations also allows candidates to work in management positions, community and social service industries, legal departments, business, and financial operations, publishing and journalism, civil service, local government, charities, information technology, and a variety of other fields.
| Careers | Salary | Estimated growth |
| Survey Researcher | $59,740 | 6% |
| Data analyst | $100,910 | 36 % |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,370 | 9% |
| Professor | $79,640 | 12% |
| Author & Writer | $69,510 | 4% |
| Lawyers | $127,990 | 10% |
| Policy Analyst & Political Scientist | $122,510 | 6% |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
The table above is an illustration of some of the career paths that you can take after earning an online PhD in philosophy. Based on statistics from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for philosophy and Religion post-secondary teachers will continue to grow at a steady rate.
Furthermore, careers in law and data science will grow faster than the national average. The salaries may vary according to experience, industry, and location. States like California, Maryland, and Rhodes Island offer better salary packages than others.
Conclusion
As you must have realized an online PhD in philosophy is definitely worth it not just because of the fact that you will not need to completely halt your activities and go back to the traditional classroom, it’s also worth it because in most cases it’s affordable and it opens you up to a myriad of careers. Take the leap today and get yourself enrolled. Goodluck