Graduate Admissions
Applications are welcome from students whose philosophical interests correspond with those of our faculty members, particularly in those areas in which our department has notable strengths (e.g., PPE, applied ontology, metaphysics, history of early modern philosophy, bioethics).
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Application Deadlines
September 1, 2025: Spring 2026 MA and Advanced Certificate applications
January 2, 2026: Fall 2026 PhD applications
January 5, 2026: Spring 2026 MS applications
April 15, 2026: Fall 2026 MA and Advanced Certificate applications
All supporting materials must be uploaded by the application deadline, including transcripts, personal statement, writing sample, and letters of recommendation.
Deadlines for Accepting Admission Offers
November 30, 2025: Spring 2026 MA and Advanced Certificate admission offers
April 15, 2026: Fall 2026 PhD admission offers
June 30, 2026: Fall 2026 MA, MS, and Advanced Certificate admission offers
Admission Criteria
Students entering the Ph.D. program must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students entering the M.A. program must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Please note that these are minimum requirements and that higher GPAs are desired and may be necessary for admission.
Applicants to the Ph.D. should have completed some prior coursework in philosophy, preferably at least six courses in logic or critical thinking, ethics, the history of philosophy, and in areas such as metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, political philosophy, social philosophy, or aesthetics. Applicants to the M.A. program should have completed prior coursework in philosophy as well, preferably at least four courses.
Please note that the guidelines about prior coursework represent minimal conditions. Satisfying such a criterion does not guarantee that we will view an applicant as having sufficient preparation for graduate work in philosophy at UB. If an applicant's previous coursework was completed a long time ago, the applicant did not perform well in those courses, or the contents of the courses do not serve as adequate preparation for graduate work in philosophy, more coursework will be required.
Required Application Materials
- Completed application form
- Electronic copies of transcripts of all previous undergraduate or graduate coursework. Only admitted applicants will be required to submit official transcripts.
- Three letters of recommendation, preferably from professors who have taught you philosophy (though other letters will be accepted). Once you submit your application for final review, your recommenders will receive an automated email requesting that they upload their recommendation letter. Please note that your recommenders should upload their letters by the relevant deadline. You should submit your application much earlier than the deadline so as to give your recommenders time to submit.
- A personal statement of 500 to 1,00 words, double-spaced. Please include a description of your background in philosophy and the areas of philosophy that interest you.
- A writing sample of your philosophical work that is 3,000 to 6,000 words (about 10 to 20 double-spaced pages).
- Resume or CV
- GRE scores are not required but are strongly encouraged.
Non-Degree Students
Students enrolled in graduate programs at other universities or students who have completed a baccalaureate degree may register as non-degree students (not actively working toward a degree). Non-degree students must first secure the appropriate department or faculty member’s approval for each graduate-level course. A non-degree student can take a maximum of 12 credits, which can later be applied to department requirements if the student is accepted into the M.A. or Ph.D. program.
If you are interested in taking classes in the Philosophy Department on a non-degree basis, you will need to apply online and electronically submit the following materials:
- Completed application form
- Electronic copies of college transcripts
- Resume or CV
- Writing sample - 4,500 words or fewer (optional)
- 1 letter of recommendation (optional but recommended)
Please note that international students are not eligible for admission to non-degree studies.
Non-refundable application fee: $75
After you submit your UB graduate application, you’ll be prompted to make your payment online by credit card or ACH through Nelnet.
U.S. citizens or current permanent residents may request a fee waiver through the application portal after completing the graduate application and uploading all required materials.
International Applicants
In addition to submitting all of the above required materials, international applicants must follow the additional procedures for international student admissions found here.
Please note that barely satisfying the university's minimal requirements for English proficiency will generally not be sufficient for admission into one of our graduate programs. We do not grant waivers for the English proficiency requirement.
The Applied Ontology MS is a fully online program and does not meet the requirements to obtain or maintain student visa status. You can learn more about student visa requirements from International Student Services.
Department contact
Graduate student handbook and program requirements
Information about the requirements for the Ph.D. and M.A. programs in philosophy can be found in the Graduate Student Handbook.
Students should familiarize themselves with both department and university policies. University-wide rules for graduate study at UB can be found in the Graduate School's Policy Library.
University rules supersede those of the department.