Statement to Prospective Graduate Students



The PhD program at the University of North Texas Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies (run in conjuction with the Department of Philosophy and Humanities at the Univeristy of Texas, Arlington) is built on three foundations:


  • The UNT Philosophy is the premier department in the nation and world specializing in environmental ethics/philosophy and policy. In addition, UNT Philosophy has an active and growing interdisciplinary research program in the philosophy of science, technology, and policy. The walls that have separated the different spheres of modern society-politics, economics, religion, science and technology, and the environment-are breaking down. Questions concerning the environment, biotechnology, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, information technology, and national security are becoming cognates, as scientific and technological advances raise a variety of ethical and philosophical issues.

  • In conjunction with UTA, UNT Philosophy is the only public institution of higher education in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Denton Metroplex offering the opportunity for prospective students to pursue a doctoral degree in philosophy and religion studies. With the combined faculty resources of the UNT and UTA departments, students may now undertake doctoral work in Ancient, Medieval, Modern, and Contemporary Western Philosophy, Asian and Comparative Philosophy, and the academic study of various religions.

  • Students specializing in environmental philosophy and policy and the philosophy of science, technology, and policy are well positioned to find jobs in academe, as demand for specialists in this new, exciting, and expanding subfield of philosophy increases. Job-seeking students completing study in philosophy and religion studies can find either academic or non-academic employment; for example, those who are already employed in the religious vocations may enhance their skills and education.
UNT Philosophy is promulgating a new model for academic philosophy in the 21st century: interdisciplinary and policy-relevant philosophic research sensitive to the needs and perspectives of a variety of audiences both within and outside of philosophy.