Georgetown University

What you'll study

The programme combines rigorous analytic and historical-philological approaches to Chinese philosophy and culture. Core study areas include classical Chinese thought (Confucianism, Daoism, Mohism), later developments in Buddhist and neo-Confucian traditions, and contemporary Chinese philosophical debates. Students engage with primary texts in the original languages alongside secondary literature in English, and take advanced coursework in research methods and comparative philosophy.

• Seminars on primary texts in Classical Chinese and modern Chinese philosophy
• Courses in epistemology, ethics, metaphysics and political philosophy as they relate to Chinese traditions
• Comparative seminars connecting Chinese thought with Western philosophical problems and methodologies
• Advanced language training (Classical Chinese and modern Mandarin) and philological methods
• Training in research design, historical-critical methods, and contemporary interpretive approaches
• Preparation for and completion of comprehensive examinations and a doctoral dissertation based on original research

Programme structure typically involves an initial period of coursework and language preparation, progression to comprehensive exams, the formation of a dissertation committee, submission and defence of a dissertation proposal, and several years of supervised independent research culminating in a defended dissertation. Teaching or graduate-instruction duties are usually part of doctoral training.

Entry requirements

Successful applicants normally hold a strong bachelor’s degree and often a master’s degree in philosophy, Asian studies, religious studies, or a closely related field. Admissions committees look for evidence of preparedness for specialised research in Chinese philosophy.

• Academic transcripts showing high achievement in relevant coursework
• A substantial writing sample that demonstrates analytical ability and familiarity with philosophical or philological scholarship
• A clear statement of research interests and a preliminary research proposal indicating potential projects in Chinese philosophy and culture
• Letters of recommendation from academic referees who can speak to the applicant’s research potential
• Demonstrated or demonstrable language ability in Mandarin and/or Classical Chinese is strongly recommended; plans for achieving necessary language competence should be outlined if not already in place
• Proof of English language proficiency where required by university policy

Career prospects

Graduates of this PhD typically pursue careers in higher education as faculty in philosophy, Asian studies, religious studies, or interdisciplinary humanities departments. Other common paths include research positions in think tanks and policy institutes focused on East Asia, work in cultural institutions and museums, professional translation and editorial work on classical and modern Chinese texts, and roles in international organisations where deep knowledge of Chinese intellectual traditions and language skills are valued.

Why study at Georgetown University

Georgetown offers distinctive advantages for doctoral study in Chinese philosophy and culture: proximity to a wide range of research libraries and archival resources, interdisciplinary collaboration across departments (including departments concerned with Asian languages, history, and religion), and access to Washington, D.C.–based cultural institutions and policy organisations. The programme emphasises close faculty mentorship and personalised supervision, while providing instruction in the linguistic and philological skills necessary for original work on primary Chinese sources. These elements make Georgetown a strong setting for students aiming to produce scholarship that is both philosophically rigorous and textually grounded.