Do you have a masters program?
No. The philosophy graduate program is a doctoral program only. In the Boston area, Tufts University offers a masters degree in philosophy.
How long is the Ph.D. program?
Five years.
Is a master’s degree required to apply to the PhD program?
A master’s degree is not required. Prospective students may apply to the PhD program direct from their undergraduate studies.
Can I earn a doctoral degree through distance learning?
No. You can give our MOOCs a try, though.
Do students get financial support from MIT?
Yes. Currently, we can support five entering students each year with tuition plus a 12-month stipend. We can also support graduating fifth-years with a one-year post-doc if they are unable to secure a position elsewhere. In special cases, we are able to support sixth year students with tuition plus a 9-month stipend in place of a post-doc.
Although MIT regulations prohibit us from guaranteeing funding for more than any one year, we fully expect to be able to support students in good standing throughout the entire five-year period of the doctoral program. However, the Department has limited funds for financial aid to graduate students, so we encourage you to apply for graduate fellowships from government agencies and foundations.
I am an international applicant. Am I still eligible for financial support from MIT?
Yes. All admitted students, whether or not they are US citizens, are eligible for support.
I uploaded a transcript to the application system. Do I have to mail an official transcript?
No, only admitted applicants are required to mail official transcripts.
Can students take classes at Harvard?
Yes. There is also an annual Harvard/MIT graduate philosophy conference. Often Harvard students attend MIT reading groups and vice versa.