Philosophy

Graduate opportunities

By pursuing a graduate degree in Philosophy at the University of North Texas, you’ll join an internationally recognized program known for its focus on environmental philosophy and ethics.

The Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies oversees one of the world’s leading doctoral programs and the nation’s first master’s program in Environmental Philosophy and Ethics. We house several research centers, manage various research programs and publish the field’s leading philosophy journal.

We also are an emerging leader in the philosophy of science and technology studies with more than seven faculty members publishing in the field. The combination of environmental philosophy and science/technology studies creates unique opportunities for our students.

The curriculum for the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees provide you:

• Foundational training in environmental philosophy, the history of Western philosophy and religious studies
• Specialization in topical areas of philosophy
• Interdisciplinary experiences through a flexible program

You learn from professors and researchers who are nationally and internationally known in their field. Among our faculty members are the three founders of the environmental philosophy discipline — J. Baird Callicott, Eugene C. Hargrove and Pete A. Y. Gunter. Another 10 faculty members have strong backgrounds in the discipline with a broad range of specialties including:

• Land ethics
• Environmental policy
• Environmental justice
• Religion and ecology
• Philosophy of ecology
• Philosophy of water
• Traditional ecological knowledge
• Philosophy of environmental and social sustainability
• Eco-feminism
• Eco-phenomenology
• Environmental aesthetics
• Environmental education
• Environmental restoration

Research programs, centers and projects

Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program

Utilizing the first field station in environmental philosophy, science and policy at Cape Horn, Chile, we coordinate this program with the University of Magallanes and the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity in Chile. It helps link biological and cultural conservation with social well-being from the southernmost end of the Americas. As a long-term socio-ecological research, education and conservation program, it develops innovative ways to address intertwined environmental and social problems, such as global ecological change, invasive exotic species, cultural homogenization and sustainable development.

Center for Environmental Philosophy

This renowned center is dedicated to furthering research, publication and education in environmental philosophy and ethics. Its primary activities are publishing Environmental Ethics, reprinting significant books on environmental ethics under its own imprint and sponsoring various workshops and conferences.

The Environmental Justice Project

Housed in the Center for Environmental Philosophy, the EJP uses an interdisciplinary arrangement of networks, scholarship and actions focusing on environmental justice. It includes avenues to relevant environmental research that respects grassroots struggles around the globe.

The Philosophy of Water Project

This research program promotes water education, research and outreach activities with local and international organizations. We provide intellectual analysis, hands-on learning experiences, collaborative connections and academic conferences. Research explores the growing wave of water problems: water scarcity, quality and quantity of reserves, restoration of riparian areas, and the cultural perceptions of water.

The Philosophy of Food Project

This project shares information about the philosophical investigation of food; increases the visibility of food as a topic for philosophical research; serves as a resource for researchers, teachers, students and the public; galvanizes a community of philosophers working on food issues; and helps raise the level of discourse about food, agriculture, animals and eating.

The Center for the Study of Interdisciplinarity

CSID researches the theory and practice of inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to knowledge. It is devoted to developing a philosophy of interdisciplinarity through research conducted via case studies, an approach called field philosophy.

Attending UNT

Admission requirements

You will need to meet the admission requirements for the Toulouse Graduate School, which are outlined at www.unt.edu/catalog. In addition, you will need to meet the following program requirements:

• Acceptable scores on the GRE’s verbal and quantitative sections (Verbal score may be replaced by completion of the Graduate Preparation Course. The GMAT or LSAT may be substituted for the GRE.)
• Statement of purpose
• Three letters of recommendation
• Curriculum vitae
• Writing sample

Degree requirements

Master’s degree

• 21 semester hours of required philosophy courses
• 3 semester hours in environmental science
• 6 semester hours of a thesis course
• Oral final examination

• 21 semester hours of required philosophy courses
• 3 semester hours in environmental science
• 9 semester hours in a minor field
• 6 semester hours in philosophy, one or more supporting fields or an internship

Doctoral degree

You must complete a minimum of 42 semester credit hours beyond a master’s degree in conjunction with the graduate school degree requirements. Department course requirements include environmental philosophy, the history of philosophy, topical areas in philosophy and interdisciplinary exploration. You will also need to:

• Satisfy the qualifying paper requirement with a publishable quality of work
• Write a dissertation and give a brief public presentation and public oral defense of the work Detailed information about degree requirements is at philosophy.unt.edu/graduate-program.

Financial assistance

Our department offers several programs to help you pay for your graduate education. Among them are graduate teaching and research assistantships, which qualify students for in-state tuition rates. Tuition remission is limited and highly competitive. Several students are funded through competitive fellowships. In addition, the Richardson Environmental Action League awards a $500 fellowship each semester to an outstanding student.

A limited number of competitive awards may be offered by the graduate school. Students attending professional conferences may receive support from the department in concert with a variety of offices throughout the university.

For more information about financial support programs, visit philosophy.unt.edu/graduate/financial-support.