Graduate Program

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We are now accepting incoming applications for the Fall 2023 incoming class. Deadline for admission and financial assistance applications is February 1.  See here for further details on how to apply.

A Unique Environment

Since 1979, when the Philosophy Department at Bowling Green State University began teaching its MA in Applied Philosophy, its graduate program has occupied a unique place in North American philosophy. This uniqueness was augmented in 1990 by the addition of a PhD program, also in Applied Philosophy, which remains the only one of its kind. This is not to say that only Applied Philosophy is taught here. A graduate student at Bowling Green will receive a well-rounded education in all of the traditional areas of philosophy as well.

What Distinguishes Bowling Green's Graduate Program?

  • A history of innovation in the development of programs in applied philosophy
  • A faculty with extra-philosophical interests and backgrounds, e.g., economics, political science, law, business, medicine, the environment, religion, the arts, biology, and cognitive sciences
  • A willingness to encourage students to pursue cross-disciplinary interests (More below)
  • A large concentration of faculty with specialization in moral and political philosophy
  • An atmosphere of collegiality that encourages dialogue among faculty and students
  • An established program of annual workshops or conferences and a lively colloquium series.
  • The possibility of internships which encourage first-hand investigation of the real-life situations that engender philosophical discussion

Cross-Disciplinary Studies

The department encourages graduate students to undertake cross-disciplinary studies whenever courses in other departments and programs bear on their research. The Department has curricular ties of one kind or another to several departments and cross-disciplinary programs.

A variety of topics in applied ethics can better be understood if the theoretical approaches and empirical results of other disciplines are taken into account. Students working in environmental ethics might benefit from studying related issues in courses in environmental policy, for example. Students in medical ethics might want to take courses in public health. Courses in Women's Studies are relevant to work in many areas of moral philosophy.

The Director of Graduate Studies and interested faculty will assist students to design appropriate curricula.

Prerequisites for Graduate Work

The preferred foundation for graduate work is a major or minor in philosophy. However, applicants with less than this level of preparation who have a strong interest in philosophy are encouraged to apply. Remedial work may be required for those students judged to have deficiencies in their preparation.

Career Objectives

Courses of study may be designed to meet any of the following objectives:

  • An academic career in philosophy
  • An academic career in applied philosophy in related fields including business ethics in business programs and medical ethics in medical programs
  • A non-academic career in public policy, business, medicine, or environmental areas.

Graduate Student Handbook

All of the Department's regulations and requirements concerning its Graduate Programs can be found here in the Graduate Student Handbook.

Updated: 10/05/2022 03:18PM