The oral Area Exam is administered by a three-person committee, who agree on a reading list in the student's area. During the 90-minute examination, the three faculty members may question the student on any topic related to the intended dissertation and touched upon in the agreed readings. After satisfying these requirements, the student is ready to select a dissertation committee and write the dissertation. The requirements for the Ph.D. are completed when, after approval of the dissertation by the members of the dissertation committee, the student passes a final oral examination on the dissertation. In addition to endorsing high standards of research, the Department of Philosophy at UMass is committed to training effective undergraduate teachers.
Students typically teach or TA between six and eight courses.
In addition, many students take advantage of the offerings of the University's Center for Teaching. Our students often receive commendations from the Center for Teaching. After a period of assisting faculty members in large courses, some students are offered the opportunity to teach their own courses. These courses not only provide further experience for the senior graduate students, but also enhance our curriculum with courses that we could not offer otherwise. In short, our approach to doctoral study in philosophy is two-pronged.