The University of Kentucky's Department of Philosophy offers a course of study leading to the doctoral degree in philosophy. Masters degrees are typically earned along the way to completion of the Ph.D. Only rarely do we accept students who aim at a terminal MA degree. Contingent upon maintaining satisfactory progress, all incoming doctoral students are guaranteed five years of financial support, typically through teaching assistantships and/or fellowships.

The University of Kentucky's graduate program in Philosophy aims to prepare students for successful careers as college and university researchers and teachers. We are a pluralistic department with broad competences in most areas of philosophy. The department has particular strengths in the history of philosophy from Plato to Kant, 19th and 20th century Continental philosophy, contemporary metaphysics and epistemology, philosophy of religion, and, ethical, social, and political philosophy.