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 online application and all supporting material to the University's Office of Graduate Admission. Non-degree and pre-theology applicants should consult the requirements for admission found elsewhere on this website.

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 before February 1.

The following materials should be submitted directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions through its online portal:
● A completed application form;
● A $60 nonrefundable application fee, payable online or by a check made out to The Catholic University of America;
● An official transcript of every college or university previously attended;
● Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, dated within the last five years (Catholic University's GRE school code is 5104);
● A statement of purpose;
● 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); and
● Three letters of recommendation.

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.

An interview with the prospective student will be held whenever possible, and the right is reserved to demand entrance examinations in any individual case.