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Department of philosophy.

The PhD in Philosophy at Western in a four-year program. In their first year students take courses; in their second they take a comprehensive exam in their main research area and complete a course that will lead the writing and defend of a thesis prospectus; their third and fourth years are spent writing their dissertations. The courses and supervision available reflect the strengths and diversity of interests of the faculty, which collect along five principal fields: feminist philosophy; history of philosophy (ancient, medieval and modern); moral, political and legal philosophy; philosophy of mind and language; and philosophy of science (including mathematics and logic). For details about our fields of research, please visit: https://www.uwo.ca/philosophy/graduate/Fields%20of%20Research/index.html .

Program Length

Program design.

• Full-time study
• Thesis-based

Funding Information

• Graduate Student Funding Support Package

Applicants are encouraged to apply for the following scholarships (if eligible):

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)
• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
• Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fee schedules (per term) are posted on the Office of the Registrar's website at http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/fee_schedules.html

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Use this helpful tool to estimate how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food, and other necessities for a 12-month (three term) academic year.

Admission Requirements

For details about our admission requirements, please visit: https://www.uwo.ca/philosophy/graduate/admissions/admission_requirements/index.html

English Language Proficiency

For details about our English language proficiency requirements, please visit: https://grad.uwo.ca/admissions/international.html

Application Deadline

• January 7 (opens October 7) - Fall term

Fields of Research

• Feminist Philosophy
• History of Philosophy
• Moral, Political and Legal Philosophy
• Philosophy of Mind & Language
• Philosophy of Science

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Department of Philosophy

Welcome to the Department of Philosophy

The Department of Philosophy offers a variety of courses in traditional areas of philosophical study, including ethics, epistemology, logic, metaphysics, and the history of philosophy. Through a collaborative study of these topics, our faculty helps students develop the skills that we value as a department - skills like active reading, critical thinking, analytic writing, and effective speaking.

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Monday to Friday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm (FQ, WQ, SQ) Summer Hours vary

For appointment, email Academic Department Manager  Sùsanna à'Kinlochaline  or Department Chair  Professor Ryan Wasserman . 

We are here to assist you with all your advising needs, including major/minor declarations and evaluations.

Please visit our Advising page to get started!

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Student spotlight.

We want to hear from you! Please email us at  [email protected]  to share your Philosophy experiences at Western.

Camille Fogel "I loved majoring in philosophy! I found the community to be really engaging, supportive, and academically challenging. I grew as a writer, thinker, and speaker, and I feel strongly that this degree directly laid the foundation for my success in graduate school. Studying philosophy has given me the tools to continue to learn, explore new ideas, and ask meaningful questions even outside of an academic setting." Department of Philosophy Outstanding Graduating senior 2021-2022

Trent Latta "No better educational backgrounds at Western could have prepared me for law school...both disciplines demand a commitment to deep, critical thinking and applied analyses." Attorney, Actor, and Writer '2003

Dee Payton “Studying philosophy is great because you get to study the structure of reasoning, which is relevant to basically everything… Plus, WWU has one of the best undergrad philosophy programs in the US!” Assistant Professor of Philosophy, University of Virginia '2017

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College of Arts and Sciences

Department of philosophy.

The Department of Philosophy offers an undergraduate major leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. It also offers minor programs for undergraduates as well as graduate-level courses for candidates for the Master of Arts degree in such fields as biomedical ethics, history, English, mathematics and the sciences.

The department’s course offerings are designed not only to provide knowledge and skills required for students whose main interest is in philosophy, but also to educate students in general about the intellectual issues that a reflective person is likely to encounter in various life contexts.The department emphasizes the relevance of philosophy to mathematics, computer science, the natural sciences, the social sciences, the humanities and arts, and law.

The major program in philosophy, besides offering a solid foundation for advanced study in philosophy and enriching programs in other disciplines, develops the skills for analytical and critical thinking, effective communication, and rational decision making needed in a wide range of endeavors. The program thus provides majors with unusual flexibility in the choice of subsequent careers, including law, medicine, and management, while complementing the pursuit of career objectives with a greater perspective and a richer quality of intellectual life.

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Philosophy (phil).

Develops students' capacity for critical, independent thought. Teaches students to analyze, critique, and respond to a wide variety of arguments, both formal and informal, in various media. Introduces students to the basics of logic and to techniques for identifying logical fallacies and invalid evidence. Encourages the practice of civil, reasoned debate.

An introduction to the central philosophical questions that have historically spanned and conceptually founded Western civilization. The course surveys key thinkers, philosophical movements, and academic fields of the discipline. Questions regarding the meaning of existence, the freedom of the self, the nature of a just society, and the workings of human knowledge expose students to the pursuits of metaphysics, ontology, epistemology, philosophy of science, moral and political philosophy, and ethics. GT-AH3

Introduces students to the study of ethics by surveying key ethical theories, by teaching basic principles of moral reasoning and evaluation, and by identifying and examining contemporary moral problems. Emphasizes practical ethics - the application of ethical theories and principles to real-life personal, professional, and public moral dilemmas.

Introduces students to the systematic study of the form of arguments, including inductive reasoning, syllogistic logic, sentential logic, the logic of quantification, and modal logic. Teaches the basic conventions of propositional notation and acquaints students with the concerns of metalogic and philosophy of logic.

An introduction to the cental philosophical questions which have conceptually founded Eastern philsophy. This course surveys primary texts, intellectual movements, and cultural traditions that inform and influence Eastern philosophy while investigating the theoretical spaces that exist between philosophical assumptions of the East and West. Prerequisite: PHIL 101

A discussion of the significance of women and gender in the development of philosphy. This course questions how the philosophical canon has appropriated, incorporated, and sometimes erased women's contributions. Drawing upon a variety of discourses in and outside of philosophy itself (including feminist and queer theory), students will assess how the philosophical endeavor changes in light of previously overlooked and currently influential gender studies work. Students will use gender and sexuality as a framework that enriches and interrogates philosophical fields ranging from cultural theory to epistemology. Prerequisite: PHIL 101

An examination of influential moral philosophers and contrasting theories concerning how one ought to live, from ancient Greek and Eastern philosophers to contemporary thinkers. Central questions of the course explore the good life, critique ideologies that limit ethical options, and imagine how to expand individual choices in cultivating a just society. The course concludes with student applications of ethical theories to current global issues. Prerequisite: PHIL 101 or instructor permission.

An exploration of the significance of faith in our human worldview. Through a comparative approach to major world religions, students investigate the underlying assumptions behind the ways of knowing God and participating in the divine, and how those assumptions diversely manifest themselves culturally, metaphorically, and psychologically. Prerequisite: PHIL 101 or instructor permission.

An exploration of the historical development of - and current similarities and differences between - scientific methods and globally diverse ways of knowing. An examination of the role of philosophy in scientific revolutions, and of the role of philosophy in a multi-cultural, potentially "post-human" society negotiating issues such as climate injustice, pandemics, and artificial intelligence. Prerequisite: PHIL 101 or instructor permission.

A global examination of the role of philosophers in the historical and current development of, resistance to, and reimagining beyond colonialist ideology. An analysis of the role of cross-cultural philosophers in movement calling for justice on a global (and trans-local) scale. Course concludes with student-driven, theoretically-informed attempts to decolonize philosophy and to build inclusivity into the subfields of epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and ontology. Prerequisite: PHIL 101 or instructor permission.

This course analyzes, and provides students the opportunity to more deeply investigate, the philosophical foundations of spoken and written representation through a broad survey of theoretical readings in aesthetics, authorship, interpretation, realism, and subjectivity. Examining a diverse range of classic and contemporary thinkers in philosphy and cultural studies, the course explores the ways representation frames the experiences of being in teh world, and asks such questions as: How do ideas become the words we speak?; Do the words we speak mean the same when written?; and What makes the narrative possible? The answers to these questions have broad philosophical, political, and cultural implications. Prerequisite: Phil 201 or PHIL 335 ; or ENG 371 .

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Graduate Placement Record

Since 2008, the Western Michigan MA program has placed nearly all students seeking a higher degree (~90%). Most of these students have gone on to pursue doctoral degrees in philosophy at top-ranked PhD programs and all of them have received full funding packages to support their studies. Other WMU graduates have pursued advanced degrees in a variety of areas including law, the humanities and social sciences, and theology. Students who have chosen not to pursue a further degree (roughly 10% of students since 2008) have found rewarding careers in education, business, or other pursuits. After completing their doctoral degree programs, our graduate students have also obtained tenure-track jobs at philosophy departments, including University at Albany, University of Utah, Virginia Polytechnic University, York University, University of Columbia and Australia Catholic University.

Placement summary

Annual data*.

*Unless otherwise noted, placement is into a Ph.D. program in philosophy with full funding.

2023 Graduates

2022 graduates, 2021 graduates, 2020 graduates, 2019 graduates, 2018 graduates, 2017 graduates, 2016 graduates, 2015 graduates, 2014 graduates, 2013 graduates, 2012 graduates, 2011 graduates, 2010 graduates, 2009 graduates, 2008 graduates.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Education (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Education (PhD) is our highest academic degree designed to equip you to be an expert in the field of intercultural education. You will be prepared for theologically and interculturally related vocations of teaching and research — whether in theological schools, colleges, universities, or other settings related to intercultural education.

As an educator and leader who follows Jesus, you have an incredible opportunity to convey the transforming power of the gospel in your interactions with students and colleagues. Toward that end, the PhD will give you the opportunity to refine your theological understanding of the issues and practices of intercultural educational ministry. Your original research and writing will help advance theological and intercultural understanding for the academy and for communities of faith.

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What Sets Our Doctor of Philosophy Apart?

• The PhD is Western's most academic degree designed for experts in the field of intercultural education.
• Students gain a mastery of intercultural education along with a graduate-level understanding of theological disciplines.
• Most courses can be taken via web conference, except for two week-long intensives at our Portland campus.
• The residency requirements may be waived for international students and internationally-based students who can't travel to campus.
• Visiting and resident faculty are actively engaged in cross-cultural ministry around the world.
• Flexible scheduling allows you to customize your program to fit your needs.

Our PhD prepares students to teach at the highest level of intercultural education.

Enoch Wan, PhD Director of Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Education

Course List

Minimal residency requirements.

We make it possible for you to earn your degree without leaving the ministry that God has already called you to. Of the 60 credits required for the PhD, 6 credits must be taken in-person at Western’s Portland campus . This means that students must attend at least two, week-long intensives in person during their degree program. (Possible exceptions can be made for international students and internationally-located students.) 

Doctoral Education That Keeps Debt Down

Educational ministry work can bring limited financial reward. That's why we encourage wise financial stewardship as you pay for school. It might surprise you to learn that a minority of our students utilize loans, with most choosing instead to pay out of pocket, with scholarships, or via a monthly payment plan. Look into your options for financial aid .

Admission Requirements

In addition to a completed application for admission and the submission of all related admissions materials, applicants must present:

• An Association of Theological Schools’ (ATS) accredited MDiv or a comparable two-year master’s degree of 48 credits or longer in appropriate missiological and theological disciplines
• A cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher in any of the above degrees
• Writing sample with strong research component
• Interview with program director
• At least two years of effective intercultural ministry experience relevant to the proposed PhD program focus
• Promise of contribution to the academy, especially in the area of intercultural education

As always, contact an Admissions Counselor if you’ve got further questions. We're here to help!

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Create leading-edge research

Western education's doctor of philosophy, phd – create leading-edge research.

You’re more than a student. At Western Education, you’re an important part of our research team that’s advancing the cause of education in Canada and around the world.

As a PhD student, you get benefits, such as funding for your tuition plus $13,000 a year, a teaching assistantship or research assistantship along with potential funding to attend research conferences.

PhD Common Questions

Why choose our phd.

A top 1% university in the world

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$24 million in research grants

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Department of chemistry.

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The Department of Chemistry at Case Western Reserve University strives to provide a world-class program of research and coursework for pursuit of graduate degrees in Chemistry. The PhD program is designed to equip students with a strong foundation for a career in chemistry, areas allied with chemistry, and chemical management. To accomplish this mission the Department offers courses, colloquia, and, most importantly, research programs guided by a faculty mentor in the fields of organic, biological, analytical, physical, and inorganic chemistry. Mentorship of PhD students during their maturation from apprentice to independent researcher is a major responsibility of faculty. During their training, students acquire technical proficiency in a focused area of expertise as well as a broad base of problem-solving skills and exposure to interdisciplinary science. This prepares them to enter the job market with the flexibility demanded by industry and academia. Another role of faculty is to convey to graduate students the proper ethics of scientific conduct. Furthermore, chemistry research is very equipment and instrument intensive, and often involves use of hazardous materials. Safety training thus receives careful attention and monitoring in our experimental programs.

PhD research at CWRU has two main foci: chemical biology and energy and materials. Chemical biology broadly defined includes programs in biochemistry, structural biology, biophysical chemistry, medicinal chemistry, the chemical basis of disease, and genetically-derived natural products. Energy and materials includes programs in photochemistry, ultrafast spectroscopy, theoretical and experimental electrochemistry, energy storage, solar energy, nanomaterials, and small molecule and polymer synthesis.

Admission Standards

A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or related field is required for admission to the PhD program, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or class ranking in the upper third. Completed applications include transcripts of the student’s total record in higher education and at least three letters of recommendation from science teachers or supervisors. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for admission into our program.

International applicants must also submit proof of English language proficiency. The TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE-Academic tests are approved by the School of Graduate Studies. Duolingo is not accepted.

Minimum scores:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) : 90
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) : 7.0
• Pearson Test of English (PTE-Academic) : 61

The language test requirement can be waived if you have completed a bachelors or masters degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. Please contact [email protected] for more details.

Apply for your PhD in Chemistry now!

Application requirements can be found on our graduate programs admission page .

Program Details

Course work.

Students choose a curriculum of course work from among a large array of offerings in chemistry and related science departments. There is a six-course requirement, which can be satisfied completely during the student’s first year if desired, and includes a one-course requirement in each of the three major chemistry disciplines (organic, inorganic, and physical). Placement examinations in each of these three areas are given to all entering students in order to assess undergraduate competency and help the department advise the student as to the most prudent selection of first-year work.

All PhD students participate in the departmental teaching program, an important component of the student’s professional training. The two semester requirement as teaching assistant is usually satisfied during the first year.

Research Advisors

Graduate students become affiliated with a research advisor normally at the end of their first semester. An orientation program helps students select their advisors by acquainting them with the department faculty and their current and projected research activities. Students will then participate in lab rotations in at least two selected research groups indicated by the student. Every effort is made to match students with their first choice for advisor, although balance among research groups and funding circumstances are also taken into account. The research advisor becomes the student’s principal mentor regarding course selection, preparation for examinations, conduct of research, composition of the thesis, and professional placement. The student’s major activity toward the PhD degree is his or her original research under the supervision of the research advisor, culminating in the presentation and defense of the doctoral dissertation (thesis).

Thesis Committees

The progress of each PhD student toward the fulfillment of degree requirements is followed by a review committee, as well as by the student’s research advisor. A review committee of three faculty members is first appointed, in consultation with the research advisor, to conduct the oral examination leading to candidacy. The research advisor is not a member of this committee but is normally present at the oral examination. The review committee maintains informal contact with the student during the course of the thesis research in order to help the student ensure that satisfactory progress is being made. Upon successful completion of the thesis and other graduate requirements, the student presents and defends the thesis research before a final examination committee made up of the review committee plus the research advisor and a faculty member from outside the Department of Chemistry.

Other Academic Activities

Students in their first and second year are required to enroll in CHEM 605: Colloquium. Students attend our department seminar series to be exposed to a variety of specialties and projects in the field of Chemistry.

Financial Support

The Department of Chemistry financially supports PhD students through a combination of teaching and research assistantships at a competitive stipend level. This support continues on an annual basis, provided the student makes satisfactory progress toward the PhD degree. Financial support includes a full tuition waiver, health insurance coverage, and a stipend for living expenses.

Research fellowships are funded by research grants and contracts awarded to faculty. PhD students are encouraged to apply for additional fellowships.

Ohio Board of Regents Review Information

Date of last program review: Spring 2013 Date of next scheduled program review: Spring 2021 Date program goals and objectives were revised: Fall 2013

The manner in which the program addresses the needs of the state or region

Educational institutions and the biotechnology, polymer, and energy-related industries are major employers in Ohio and the Cleveland area. The PhD program in chemistry provides graduates with a solid, broadly based education which enables them to teach in the >130 institutions of higher education in the state of Ohio. Research in the department covers a wide range of chemical fields, such as biomedical research, chemical biology, energy research, chemical synthesis, spectroscopy, catalysis, and electrochemistry. Graduates trained in these areas are prepared for employment in many existing and emerging fields, such as the health and energy industries.

Placement Objectives for Graduates

The doctoral program in chemistry prepares students for faculty and research positions at colleges and universities and for employment in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, polymer, and energy-related industries. Among recent graduates, about 11% have tenure-track faculty positions, 26% have postdoctoral research positions, and 36% work in industry.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree provides training and education with the objective of producing graduates with the capacity to conduct research independently at a high level of originality and quality.

A PhD candidate will uncover new knowledge either by the discovery of new facts, the formulation of theories or the innovative re-interpretation of known data and established ideas.

Note: Applications for research programs are accepted at any time with successful candidates commencing on a quarterly intake basis.

Available campuses

Bankstown city, campbelltown, parramatta city, parramatta south, research at western.

The award of a PhD is a recognition of successful research experience of international standard in the discipline.

Doctorates are completed within 3 years full-time candidature, with a maximum enrolment of four years full time, or part-time equivalent.

Candidates undertake their independent research under the expert guidance of a panel of supervisors.

Available research projects

You can browse a list of currently available research projects to get you started with finding a supervisor and preparing a research proposal.

Fees and delivery

You should refer to the Higher Degree Research Fees page for information about tuition fees for this program.

Start your unlimited journey today.

"master’s is great because you have the freedom to study what you want and project based subjects allow you to undertake your own design.", your career.

As a Doctor of Philosophy graduate, you can look forward to career opportunities in settings such as:

• Academia, industry, government and non-government organisations
• Scientific research
• Specialist consultancy
• Research management
• Executive-level management

University Researcher

As a researcher at a university, you will undertake world-class research in your area of expertise. You will uncover new knowledge and make a lasting impact in your field of research. Many academic researchers also work as lecturers at their university.

University Lecturer

As a lecturer at a university, you will prepare and deliver subjects in your area of expertise. You will teach students from a wide range of backgrounds and help to further their education in their chosen field. Many university lecturers also combine their work with academic research.

Policy Advisor

As a policy advisor, you will help to provide strategic direction and influence in settings such as government, industry or academia. You will form partnerships, prepare advisory papers and make recommendations to various stakeholders.

Industry Consultant

As an industry consultant, you will have an important role in working to identify problems, develop solutions, improve growth and maximise efficiency in an organisation. You will act as a liaison between management, support staff and other stakeholders to look for areas of improvement and evaluate performance.

Apply now and start your unlimited journey.

*The tuition fees quoted above are the fees for the normal full-time study load of the program (80 credit points) per annum, unless the total duration of the program is less than 80CP. International students will be subject to a variable fee regime; i.e. enrolled students will be required to pay fees during their program based on the approved fee for each calendar year. Fee changes (if any) will occur at 1 January each calendar year. Students who extend their program past the normal finish date of the program will be required to pay additional fees based on the prevailing fee level. Western Sydney University is a multi-campus institution. The University reserves the right to alter the location of its programs between campuses and other locations as necessary. Students should be aware of the possibility of change of location for the whole or part of programs for which they enrol and should plan for the need to travel between Western Sydney campuses.

Acknowledgement of Country

With respect for Aboriginal cultural protocol and out of recognition that its campuses occupy their traditional lands, Western Sydney University acknowledges the Darug, Eora, Dharawal (also referred to as Tharawal) and Wiradjuri peoples and thanks them for their support of its work in their lands in Greater Western Sydney and beyond.

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Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics

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6.0. Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program

The doctoral program in Agricultural and Applied Economics is designed to develop a broad based competence in economic theory and in techniques of quantitative analysis. Dissertation research of students in our department usually addresses applied problems using contemporary economic theory and analytical methods. Students completing our program have demonstrated a high degree of success in academics, business, and government.

Two options are offered for the Doctor of Philosophy in the Agricultural and Applied Economics program. The first option does not require a minor. The second option includes a minor in Family Financial Planning—a joint Ph.D. program between the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and the College of Human Sciences. Completion of the Doctoral program in Agricultural and Applied Economics with a minor in Family Financial Planning qualifies graduates to take an exam administered by the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards to become Certified Financial Planners.

6.1. Prerequisites

Most students will have completed the requirements for an M.S. degree or its equivalent before admission to the doctoral program. If the Master's degree does not meet the prerequisite requirements for entering our Master of Science program (see Section 5.1) then those requirements must be met in order to enter the Ph.D. program. Some exceptional students will be offered the opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. directly from a Bachelor's program. In this case, see the Graduate Coordinator for course and program requirements.

Background in algebra, partial and total differentiation, integration and basic matrix or linear algebra operations are very useful to perform well in coursework and research work.

6.2. Credit Hour Requirements

The doctoral program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours of course work beyond the baccalaureate degree and at least 12 credit hours of dissertation research (AAEC 8000).

6.3. Transfer of Credit

Transfer of graduate credit from other academic institutions may be allowed. The request for transfer must be initiated by the student and supported by the student's committee chair. Transfer decisions are made by the department Graduate Coordinator and must be approved by the Graduate School . Information required in support of transfer requests includes academic transcripts and course catalogue descriptions of each course proposed for transfer. Course syllabi may also be requested to support transfer decisions.

6.4. Substitution for Core Courses

Substitutions for core courses are allowed only under unusual circumstances. Requests for substitutions for core courses must be initiated by the student and his or her committee chair, to the department Graduate Coordinator and must be approved by the Graduate School . Final decisions on substitutions for core courses taught outside our department are made by the department Graduate Coordinator . Decisions on core courses taught in the department are made by the current instructor of the core course being replaced.

6.5. Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination

The purpose of the Ph.D. comprehensive examination is to test the student's ability to integrate knowledge from various subject matter areas and apply appropriate concepts and tools to issues and problems relevant to the discipline. The comprehensive exam is administered by a departmental committee twice each year (usually in May and August) and is normally taken at the end of the first full year of coursework. The exam has two parts which are taken separately. Part 1 of the exam focuses econometric methods and Part 2 covers microeconomic theory. Students have two opportunities to pass both parts of the exam. If both parts of the exam are passed on the first attempt then the student has successfully completed this degree requirement. If one or both parts of the exam are failed on the first attempt (usually in May), the student must retake the failed part(s) at the next offering (in the following August). A second failure of either part of the comprehensive exam will result in dismissal from the student's Ph.D. program.

6.6. Qualifying Examination and Admission to Candidacy

Graduate school rules require that all doctoral students successfully complete a Qualifying Examination for admission to candidacy for the doctor's degree. In the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics the Dissertation Proposal Defense serves as the Qualifying Exam. Students are allowed two attempts to satisfactorily complete this examination. Failure to satisfactorily complete the examination on a second attempt will result in dismissal from the Ph.D. program. Further information on the Dissertation Proposal and Proposal Defense is provided in Section 9.0 of this Handbook.

6.7. Final Examination

All doctoral candidates are required to pass a public final oral examination which is usually over the general field of the dissertation. Candidates should consult the Graduate School for details regarding scheduling of the final examination. After the final examination, the professor conducting comprehensive exams will send a written notification of the results to the Graduate Secretary for the student's graduate file.

Doctoral candidates, with their major advisor, are required to find their own Dean's Representative for the Graduate School for their defense, preferably someone outside of the department.

Public announcement of exams will be done through the department Graduate Secretary. Exams must be announced at least four weeks prior to the exam date, without exception.

6.9. Degree Program Course Requirements

Listed below are the course requirements for the Ph.D. program options. Courses listed specifically by number are core courses. Note that the option II course requirements have been revised in consultation with the Department of Personal Financial Planning.

Ph.D in Agricultural and Applied Economics - No Minor Required (option1) 1

Course number / course title / credit hours.

• AAEC 5303 / Advanced Production Economics / 3
• AAEC 5307 / Applied Econometrics I / 3
• AAEC 6316 / Advanced International Trade and Policy / 3
• AAEC 5321 / Research Methodology in Economics/ 3
• AAEC 6302 / Food, Ag., and Nat. Resource Policy Analysis / 3
• AAEC 6305 / Economic Optimization / 3
• AAEC 6308 / Advanced Natural Resource Economics / 3
• AAEC 6310 / Demand and Price Analysis / 3
• AAEC 6311 / Applied Econometrics II / 3
• AAEC 6301 / Microeconomic Theory II / 3
• AAEC 6315 / Applied Microeconomics I / 3
• ECO 5311 / Macroeconomic Theory and Policy / 3
• Committee Approved Field Courses / / 24
• AAEC 8000 / Doctor's Dissertation / 12

Total Credit Hours 72

Ph.D. in Agricultural and Applied Economics - Minor in Family Financial Planning (option 2) 1,2

• AAEC 8000 / Doctor's Dissertation / 21
• PFP 5371 / Fundamentals of Personal Financial Planning / 3
• PFP 5372 / Asset Management II / 3
• PFP 5373 / Personal Financial Planning Cpstn. / 3
• PFP 5394 / Retirement Planning / 3
• PFP 5497 / Risk Management and Insurance Planning / 4
• PFP 5398 / Estate Planning / 3
• PFP 5362 / Asset Management I / 3
• PFP 5377 / Client Communication and Counseling / 3
• ACCT 5311 / Individual Study in Accounting / 3

total credit hours 85

1 Numbered courses are core courses. 2 Draft revisions pending review and approval of AAEC faculty.

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I was a philosophy graduate with no career ideas – this is my advice for today’s students

On the face of it, my 18-year-old self had very little in common with today’s 18-year-olds. 

The technological revolution has transformed the lives of teenagers over the past 40 years, impacting their study habits, social interactions, and career prospects.

Yet, while the world seems so different, key constants prevail when it comes to that moment of standing on the verge of adulthood. One of my favourite novels, JD Salinger’s coming-of-age masterpiece The Catcher in the Rye, was first published in 1951. The 16-year-old protagonist’s rite-of-passage angst and wonderings resonate just as strongly today.

I have three teenagers and speak at many schools and universities. You don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to see that young people’s questions about careers are much the same as they’ve always been, with one additional significant unknown: the impact of artificial intelligence on their lives and employment prospects .

Uncertainty about the future is inevitable, especially for those who are just beginning their journey. The first thing I would tell any 18-year-old is to try to embrace uncertainty, to use this time to explore potential careers rather than feel oppressed by the need to eventually make a decision. Time really is on your side. 

If your experiments lead you to the conclusion that a specific career is not suitable for you, that is valuable insight to guide you towards something you might find more enjoyable.

At 18, I had no clue about what I would do for a living. My chosen degree subject, Philosophy, was at the bottom of the “graduate employability” league tables. 

I was still determined to achieve financial independence on graduating.  I was also ambitious , aspiring for a career, not just a job.

The careers office at Cambridge University was a cramped little room filled with dusty leaflets, located at the opposite end of town from my college. I’d trek down there and realise I had no idea where to begin. 

My research included enrolling in a summer law course, but I detested the learning-by-rote and inability to question unjust laws. Journalism was also a “no”; everyone working on the student newspaper seemed to relish the pressure of deadlines, while I found them stressful.

Although it was discouraging to realise certain paths were not meant for me, the process of elimination was crucial. It was friends who suggested the City. They identified traits that I struggled to see in myself – a risk-taker who enjoyed working with those who were equally ambitious. 

My journey was aided by the “milk round”, when merchant banks promoted their firms through in-person events at Oxford and Cambridge.

The milk round is no longer, with virtual careers fairs, graduate job boards (listings of jobs for graduates) and company presentations taking its place, making the information accessible to a broader audience. There are also online courses to help school leavers and graduates apply for jobs and prepare for the world of work. 

The Diversity Project (which I chair) runs  online skills workshops  hosted by different investment firms, for example, completely free and open to anyone over the age of 18. Now in its fourth year, 24,000 young people have participated so far. 

The wealth of information is good news but can make the search for the “right” career seem even more daunting. “Career assessment” tests aim to help narrow the search. Curious, I have tried a couple; they were more personality tests than aptitude tests. 

My children have also taken similar quizzes at school. They yielded some unexpected – and unappealing – results; to be honest, I’m not convinced. Friends, teachers and family know you better than any test. Explore your ideas by talking to them, and listen to their advice. It certainly worked for me.

My third suggestion is not to look for the one “right” thing, which can be like finding a needle in a haystack, but to search for something that simply piques your interest. If you know exactly what you want to do, go ahead. The rest of us may need to gradually learn to love what we do. 

You’ll know when you’ve made a good choice when a virtuous circle develops, where you start to enjoy it more as you improve – and your increased enjoyment levels, in turn, help to enhance your performance.

These days, there is also the possibility of summer internships – usually 10-12 weeks of intense work experience (paid at least the minimum wage, with a few exceptions). Many students try to find one for between their second and third years at universities; it’s a good idea, enabling both parties to “try before you buy”. 

But the whole process is stressful; it can be highly competitive to secure an internship and then the hours can be excessive.

As I was leaving a City event last summer, I found myself walking to the tube station alongside a young attendee; she explained she was heading back into the office at the investment bank where she was interning. It was 9pm. 

When I questioned this, she said she never left before 1am. Six weeks into her internship, she was doubting whether this was for her. No one works those hours over the course of a long and successful career. 

Prestigious summer internships are not the be-all-and-end-all. With six other children in their 20s and 30s, I have seen many other ways to kick-start a career.

One of my daughters took her university finals in the summer of 2020. She hadn’t a clear enough sense of her destiny to apply for internships the prior year, and when she graduated there was nothing available owing to the lockdown. 

I suggested that she take a “gap year” to explore various online courses and discover what she enjoyed the most. After a few months, she decided to study for the Investment Management Certificate and found that she really enjoyed it. 

With the help of the organisation Girls Are Investors she found an entry-level position at a small, rapidly expanding company. From having “no clue” to starting a rewarding career within a couple of years. 

So, I would tell the 18-year-old version of myself to take that leap into the unknown. I would advise her not to worry about getting it right first time, but to enjoy discovering new things and broadening her horizons. I would tell her not to over-stress about summer internships – there is more than one path to getting a foot in the door. 

I realise that’s all easier said than done – especially in a fragile world. Today, there is even more pressure, but there are also more opportunities and a more level playing field, thanks to the internet. 

It worked out for me, but there were many moments when it could have gone either way. So, keep talking to your friends, siblings, or parents, and don’t be shy about asking for their advice.

And what about AI? Many jobs will change, others will emerge, and some will disappear. Unless you’re pursuing a directly related field, I wouldn’t spend too much time agonising over whether the role you have in mind will become obsolete. 

The most important thing at this stage is to develop skills that will be useful as the world and your chosen sector or company changes. No job is for life – and that’s good news, enabling us to grow and take on new adventures over what might be 50 years of work. 

The world may be more complicated than when I started out, but the pace of change is such that today’s 18-year-olds have potentially very exciting career prospects and lifestyle choices that my generation really didn’t have. 

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Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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[email protected] Graduate Chair Corey Dyck

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The Department of Philosophy is very proud of our graduates and their achievements since completing our doctoral program. We strive to keep current records and welcome updates from our alumni . Please contact our Placement Coordinator  to share your news.

Placement Statistics

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Updated: June 2021

Career development.

Western University offers a variety of excellent resources for you to invest in your personal and professional growth. The Career Development site is a central resource that lists all professional development resources available to graduate students, including online modules and discipline-specific resources. 

Own Your Future  is a four-year curriculum-driven doctoral professional development program which runs workshops and provides resources and assessment tools for current graduate students. 

Featured Alumni

Melissa Jacquart PhD 2016, MA 2012

Tenure-track assistant professor, university of cincinnati.

Melissa Jacquart is an Assistant Professor in the Philosophy Department at the University of Cincinnati and Associate Director for the  University of Cincinnati  Center for Public Engagement with Science. Her research focuses on epistemological issues in the philosophy of science, specifically on the use of models and computer simulations in astrophysics. Her research also examines the role philosophy can play in general public engagement with science, and in science education in particular.  She also works on philosophy of education, and is particularly interested in developing effective teaching methodologies for philosophy.  Prior to Cincinnati, she was a postdoctoral researcher working in the Philosophy Department at the University of Pennsylvania and the Carnegie Observatories.  More Alumni Updates

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Police Memorial Ceremony held in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - The Springfield Police Department held its annual memorial ceremony on Friday afternoon to honor the city’s fallen officers for National Police Week.

Each year, the ceremony is dedicated to the memory of the 17 Springfield police officers who sacrificed their lives while on duty.

New Chief Larry Akers and Mayor Domenic Sarno both spoke at the event, paying homage to those fallen officers.

From Officer Thomas Miller in 1675 to Officer Kevin Ambrose in 2012.

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