Applications and Requirements for Admission

Applicants for admission to one of the School of Philosophy’s several graduate degree programs (M.A./Ph.L., M.A./Ph.D., Ph.D.) must submit an application through the university’s online application portal (for more information, please consult the university’s Office of Graduate Admissions. Non-degree and pre-theology applicants should consult the requirements for admission here below.

Admission to one of the School’s graduate degree programs is highly competitive. In order to be considered for funding, interested applicants are advised to submit a completed application, including all supporting materials, by January 1.

Those with outside funding must submit their applications at least two months in advance of registration day as set forth in the Academic Calendar.

Each student entering the university for the first time must be enrolled and registered on or before the first day of class.

A complete application consists of the following elements:

A completed application form.
A nonrefundable application fee, payable online.
An official transcript from every college or university previously attended. Transcripts marked "Student Copy" or "Issued to the Student" will be accepted for online application purposes, but official transcripts must be on file in order to complete enrollment. Official transcripts should be sent directly to the School of Philosophy in sealed envelopes with an official university stamp or signature across the seal to ensure confidentiality. For applicants completing their final year of undergraduate or graduate degree study, enrollment in the School of Philosophy is contingent upon the receipt of the final transcript showing the conferral of the degree. Applicants will not be considered for admission unless they have received a cumulative average that can be evaluated as a "B."
Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, dated within the last five years (Catholic University’s GRE school code is 5104).
A statement of purpose, 500 to 700 words in length, in which you outline the reasons for your interest in undertaking graduate study in philosophy. Include some mention of your academic objectives, research interests and career plans. Also indicate any related qualifications, including collegiate, professional and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned elsewhere in your application.
A short (no more than 20 pages) sample of philosophical writing (typically a term paper, or a selection from an honors or Master's thesis).
Three letters of recommendation. Recommendations should give evidence of personal aptitude and academic preparation for advanced study in philosophy. Former or present college or university instructors are generally best able to provide the type of recommendation most useful to the School’s Graduate Admissions Committee.
For applicants from countries and areas where English is not the common spoken language, an official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or Duolingo score report.

No one element of an applicant’s dossier is determinative for admission. Rather, the Graduate Admissions Committee seeks, through careful consideration of the entire dossier, to appraise the applicant’s academic abilities, interests and accomplishments in light of the faculty’s current research and teaching.

If the School of Philosophy's Graduate Admissions Committee deems it appropriate, an interview will be conducted with the prospective student. The School reserves the right to set an entrance examination in unusual cases.

Pre-Theology Applicants

To apply to the School of Philosophy’s Pre-Theology Program, please complete the following steps:

Submit a completed application through the university’s online application portal*;
Pay the application fee;
Provide official transcripts from every college or university you have attended**
Secure three letters of recommendation
Write and submit a brief Statement of Purpose
After creating an account, the applicant will be prompted to create a new application

*IMPORTANT: Applicants must select “Certificate” as the type of application, and “School of Philosophy Non-Degree” as the school in which they plan to study. The degree for which they are applying is “Pre-Theology – Cert.” Applying under the incorrect application type will result in a significant delay in the processing of the application.

**Applicants are strongly encouraged to upload unofficial transcripts with their initial application for the sake of expediting the admissions process. Once the applicant is admitted, official transcripts can then be added to the applicant’s file. Note, however, that an official transcript is required to matriculate.

Non-Degree Applicants

Non-degree students, both undergraduate and graduate, are admitted to such courses as they may select without the intention of going on for an academic degree. Before admission they must furnish satisfactory evidence of their ability to follow these courses profitably.

To submit an application to the School of Philosophy’s non-degree program, please complete the following steps:

Submit a completed application through the university’s online application portal;
Pay the application fee;
Provide official transcripts from every college or university you have attended.

Those seeking admission as non-degree students need not submit GRE scores.

Applicants should also refer to the General Information section of the university Announcements for more information on admission requirements.

Transfer of Credits

Graduate work done in other institutions will not be accepted toward fulfilling the requirements for the Master's or Licentiate degree in philosophy. Graduate work done in other institutions of approved standing, and not used to fulfill the requirements for the doctoral degree elsewhere, may be counted toward partial fulfillment of the requirements for the doctoral degree in the School of Philosophy provided that this work is approved by the Dean. Judgment as to the suitability of course-work done elsewhere will be made only after the student has studied at The Catholic University of America for a time sufficient to give adequate opportunity to evaluate the student's grasp of the subject taken elsewhere.

A maximum of two semesters of graduate work in philosophy may be transferred from another institution.

At least four semesters of full-time graduate work toward the doctoral degree (or the equivalent) must be done in residence.