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Program Overview

Welcome to SPEL! The graduate program in Social, Political, Ethical and Legal philosophy offers a pluralistic approach to these areas of research; students study social, political, ethical and legal philosophy using a range of philosophical methodologies and perspectives. Although students will specialize in a particular area as their coursework and research progresses, they typically achieve a breadth of engagement with analytic, continental, historical, and non-western philosophical inquiry. The program also values and supports a full variety of types of scholarship in SPEL areas, from the highly abstract or historical to the applied and/or interdisciplinary, including work that addresses contemporary social issues.

Students pursuing a graduate degree in SPEL will become capable philosophical researchers, receive professional training, and learn the skills required to be a first-rate teacher.

The faculty have broad strengths in social and political philosophy, ethics, and philosophy of law, and support an array of sophisticated research programs in these areas. Particular areas of research interest include feminist philosophy, philosophy of technology, Asian philosophy (especially in the Buddhist tradition), metaethics and moral psychology, Kant, 19th-century continental philosophy, philosophy of art, and applied ethics.

SPEL is host to a vibrant scholarly community. The combination of intellectual diversity and common orientation of interest in SPEL areas makes for rich exchange. The SPEL Colloquium hosts multiple visiting speakers every semester, and we have active reading groups, discussions of works in progress, and the like. The SPEL graduate student organization also hosts an annual conference that draws graduate students from across the region and nation.

SPEL and the Philosophy Department work closely with the Program in Philosophy, Politics, and Law, which annually hosts a reputed scholar addressing issues of public concern. There are also opportunities to work with the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, which offers graduate fellowships and a weekly speaker series. Some SPEL students also work closely with the Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention.

Degrees Offered

• PhD in Philosophy
• MA in Philosophy

Internships, Research Opportunities and More

The department is host to a vibrant community. The SPEL colloquium standardly meets four times per semester to engage a visiting speaker about their recent scholarship. The SPEL Graduate Student Organization organizes an . Other conferences or workshops are often on the calendar (we were the host to the Nietzsche in the Northeast conference.) SPEL also normally collaborates with the Program in Philosophy, Politics, and Law when they bring scholars of interest to campus. This is all in addition to faculty/graduate student reading group meetings, weekend mock conference sessions, and other informal activities. And, of course, each student receives individualized attention from the faculty regarding their teaching and scholarship.

After You Graduate

In addition to supporting our students’ scholarly endeavors, SPEL takes active measures to prepare students for the profession. This includes regular professional and teaching workshops, support (in conjunction with the ÂÌñÉç Graduate Student Organization) for appropriate conference travel, and opportunities to engage directly with guest speakers about the profession. Moreover, many of our graduates leave for the job market with a publication or more in hand. Our recent placements include tenured or tenure-track positions at Smith College, California State University at Stanislaus, Antioch College, Southern Illinois University, and Nepal Open University, and term positions at West Point, Michigan State and Penn State, among others.

Admission Requirements

Funding/Scholarships

There are many funding and scholarship opportunities at ÂÌñÉç. We encourage prospective students to review available program-specific scholarships and awards, and visit the program's website for additional information. PhD students who are registered and/or certified full-time will receive a scholarship that covers the cost of broad-based fees (this does not include international student fees). Note: Master's students are generally self-funded, although funding opportunities occasionally arise.

Accelerated/4+1 Degrees

You may also be interested in our accelerated/4+1 degree programs which allow students to complete their bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in just 5 years!

For more information, visit the Philosophy - Social, Political, Ethical and Legal website.