Application to the Ph.D. Program in Philosophy

To apply to the Ph.D. program, you will need to complete the official UCR Graduate School Application. This is the application that serves as the official application to the Philosophy Department’s Graduate Program.

Applications completed by January 5th will receive first consideration for admission. An application is not complete until all supplemental materials have been received. We will continue to accept applications after this deadline (see FAQs below.)

If you have questions concerning an application to our Ph.D. program, please contact Michael Nelson or Perla Fabelo.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Application Process

When is the application deadline?

Applications received by January 5th will receive first consideration. An application is not complete until all supplemental materials have been received.

Application Fee and Application Fee Waivers

The application fee is $120 for domestic applicants, $140 for international applicants. Fee waivers are available for domestic applicants with financial need.

Please apply early, fee waivers are limited. For information, click here.

What supplemental materials are required?

• Transcripts from colleges or universities attended (Send unofficial transcripts during the application review process; admitted applicants will be required to send official transcripts)
• A writing sample (10–15 pages long, including notes and bibliography, double spaced, 1-inch margins and 12-point font)
• A statement of purpose (1–2 pages long)
• A personal statement (1–2 pages long)
• Three letters of recommendation

Test Scores
The graduate program does not require GRE scores.  The admissions committee will not view or evaluate GRE scores when reviewing graduate applications.  Please do not submit GRE scores as part of a graduate application, they will not be considered.

TOEFL or IELTS scores
If you are an international student and your degree is not from a university where the primary language of instruction is English, you must submit either TOEFL or IELTS scores.  More information for international students can be found here.

What should the Statement of Purpose, Personal Statement, and Writing Sample include?

The Statement of Purpose should describe your philosophical interests and experience and your fit with our department. Your Personal Statement should describe obstacles that you have faced and overcome that may be relevant to our assessment of your file. The Writing Sample should show your best work to date.  It should be 10-15 pages.  If your writing sample is not representative of what you describe as your interests in your Statement of Purpose, you should include a narrative in your Statement of Purpose briefly explaining why.

Where should the application materials be sent?

The electronic forms need to be submitted online. Whenever possible, the supplemental materials should be uploaded electronically to the online application. If they cannot be securely submitted, confidential or official documents may be sent by mail to:

Department of Philosophy
Attn: Graduate Student Services Advisor
1604 HMNSS
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521

Is it possible to apply to the M.A. program only?

We do not accept students interested in a terminal M.A. program. Thus, the application should be for admission to the Ph.D. program.