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Required Hours for Degree
Credit Hour Distribution
Transfer Credits

Required Hours

A minimum of 72 hours of graduate credit beyond the bachelor’s degree is required (list of PhD courses). At least 60 hours must be at the 7000 level or higher. A maximum of 18 hours of graduate work may be transferred from graduate work completed elsewhere and applied toward the 72 hours needed for the PhD. Only graduate hours that were not used for a previous graduate degree, that relate in content to the graduate program, and that do not exceed university time restrictions can be transferred.

For students who have attained a master’s degree, a minimum of 42 hours of graduate credit is required beyond that master’s degree. At least 36 hours of graduate credit must be at the 7000 level or higher. More hours may be required at the discretion of the student's advisory committee.

A list of past and current courses is available.

Credit Hour Distribution

Core

Students must complete a core consisting of 24 credit hours:

1. twelve hours in the history of philosophy (at least three hours in ancient and three hours in modern)

2. six hours in metaphysics, epistemology, and related areas

3. six hours in practical areas of philosophy (at least three hours must be in ethics).

Note: Each course taught in the Philosophy Department will count toward at least one core area. Normally only courses with a pre-twentieth century concentration will count in area (a); such courses will normally not count in areas (b) and (c). Consult the Coordinator of Graduate Studies if in doubt about specific cases.

In the core, at least three hours must be a systematic study of a major figure. At least six hours must be in the analytic tradition, and six hours must be in the continental tradition.

Proseminar

Students must take the Proseminar on writing and research methods and the teaching of philosophy. The Proseminar is normally taken during the student's first semester.

Research Area

Remaining credit hours are earned in the student's area of research interest.

Dissertation Hours

A minimum of six dissertation credit hours (PHIL 9000) is required for the PhD. No more than 18 credit hours of dissertation will count toward satisfying the total number of graduate hours required for the PhD.

Transfer Credits

Hours that are transferred from another institution hours may count toward the core requirements. However, at least half of the core must be taken at the University of Memphis, that is, at least six hours in history, three hours in metaphysics and epistemology, and three hours in a normative area of philosophy. Of the hours taken at the University of Memphis to meet the core, three hours should be in the analytic tradition and three hours in the continental tradition.

A Note on Incompletes

Taking incompletes should be an exceptional move. Students are generally discouraged from taking any incompletes. Taking an incomplete in any given class should not be presumed to be an option. If a student feels the need to take an incomplete in a course, the student should discuss the matter with the instructor and arrive at a clear plan and timetable for completing the work in that course. Of course, what constitutes an appropriate plan and timetable is at the discretion of the instructor.

It should be a truly exceptional case in which a student feels the need to take more than one incomplete in any given semester. If a student feels the need to take more than a single incomplete in a semester, the student must do more than clear this with the relevant instructors, the student must also get permission from the Coordinator of Graduate Studies and members of the student's committee.

In the event that a student does take an incomplete, it is the student's responsibility to complete the coursework before the deadline established by the Registrar's Office. The student should not rely on the instructor to remind them of these deadlines. Failure to meet these deadlines will result in an F for the course.