Department of Philosophy - University of Missouri-Columbia

  Apply to the Graduate Program

We receive about 50 applications per year and offer funding to about 10-15% of these. The average scores for students we admit are: GRE Verbal 650, GRE Quantitative 700, and GPA in the major (normally philosophy) 3.9. Of course, our decisions are also based on the writing sample, letters of reference, and other factors, such as degree of fit with the department. Although we award an MA degree, we only admit students to our PhD program (with the MA obtained in the process).

In order to be considered for our graduate program, the following steps need to be completed (including receipt of transcripts and test scores) by January 15th:

  • Arrange for all relevant official transcripts to be sent directly to the Graduate School by your college or university (student copies are not acceptable).
  • Arrange with Educational Testing Services for your GRE scores to be sent directly to the Graduate School (MU's school code is 6875; philosophy’s department code is 2801). Only electronic scores are acceptable.
  • International students also should arrange for their TOEFL scores to be sent directly to the Graduate School (MU's school code is 6875; philosophy’s department code is 2801). The minimum required scores are 100 (internet) total with a speaking score of at least 23 (internet). (For more information about scores, see Graduate School TOEFL policy.)
  • Complete the basic information in online Graduate School application.
  • Upload a 750-word Statement of Interest to the Supplemental Information section of the on-line Graduation School application form. It should explain why are you are interested in graduate study in philosophy at the University of Missouri. We encourage you to address, if you wish, how you can advance the department's commitment to diversity.
  • Upload a sample of your 15-25 page philosophical writing (e.g., a paper or thesis chapter) to the Supplemental Information section of the on-line Graduation School application form. For the sake of blind evaluation, do not include your name on the sample you upload.
  • In the Recommendation section of the on-line Graduate School application form, enter the information for three letters of recommendation regarding your academic potential. You should first obtain agreement from the professors writing these letters. They will be contacted by e-mail to submit their letters electronically. If a professor is unable to send his/her letters electronically, you should still enter all his/her information in the Recommendation section, but you should write “(off-line)” immediately after her name. A hardcopy of the recommendation should then be sent to the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Philosophy University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211-4160. Because all other materials are electronic, hardcopies often do not receive the same attention. It is thus in your strong interest to have your letters submitted electronically.
  • Complete the Department Philosophy application form. This form will be made available shortly.

You can verify the completeness of your application by verifying that you have fully completed the electronic application form and uploaded the above items. Please follow the instructions at the Graduate School's online application.

Graduate School Mailing Address (for transcripts):
Graduate School
210 Jesse Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia , MO 65211

The Director of Graduate Admissions for the Philosophy Department will be delighted to answer any further questions you might have about any aspect of our MA or PhD programs.