Emory University

What you'll study

Coursework and research emphases are tailored to each student but typically include:

• Core philosophical methods: seminars in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, logic, and philosophy of language to ensure broad competency.
• Historical and text-based study: close reading of classical Chinese texts and study of movements such as Confucianism, Daoism, Mohism, Buddhist thought in China, neo-Confucianism, and modern Chinese philosophy.
• Comparative and interdisciplinary work: engagement with comparative philosophy, intellectual history, religious studies, sinology, and cultural theory.
• Language training: advanced Classical Chinese and modern Mandarin to support primary-text research; students often take additional language or palaeography courses as needed.
• Research milestones: preparatory seminars, comprehensive or qualifying examinations (written and/or oral), proposal development, and a supervised doctoral dissertation that contributes original scholarship to Chinese philosophy and culture.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally hold a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, religious studies, East Asian studies, history, or a closely related discipline; a master’s degree with research experience is advantageous but not always required. A competitive application typically includes:

• Official academic transcripts from all post‑secondary institutions.
• Three or more letters of recommendation from academic referees familiar with the applicant’s research potential.
• A personal statement outlining research interests in Chinese philosophy and culture and how the Emory programme would support those aims.
• A writing sample that demonstrates ability in philosophical analysis, close textual work, or sustained argumentation; samples incorporating Chinese-language sources are welcome when available.
• A curriculum vitae detailing academic background, language training, publications, and relevant experience.

Applicants who lack Classical Chinese or modern Mandarin are expected to present a plan for acquiring the necessary language skills as part of their doctoral training. Meeting the listed requirements does not guarantee admission; selection is competitive and based on fit with faculty expertise and programme resources.

Career prospects

Graduates of the programme pursue careers in a range of sectors. Common paths include:

• Academic careers: tenure‑track and adjunct teaching positions in philosophy, religious studies, and East Asian studies at colleges and universities.
• Research and scholarship: postdoctoral fellowships, research institutes, and editorial roles for academic journals.
• Public humanities and cultural institutions: museums, cultural centres, and libraries specialising in Asian collections or public education.
• Policy, non‑profit and international organisations: roles that value regionally grounded ethical, historical and cultural expertise.
• Publishing and communications: academic and trade publishing, translation, and scholarly communications focused on East Asia.

Why study at Emory University

Emory offers the PhD within a research-rich environment that supports work on Chinese philosophy through interdisciplinary collaboration with departments and programmes in religion, East Asian languages and literatures, history, and comparative literature. Students benefit from strong faculty mentorship, opportunities to teach undergraduate courses, and access to extensive library holdings and digital resources for primary-text research. Located in Atlanta, Emory provides engagement opportunities with cultural organisations and a diverse intellectual community, making it a strong place to develop a language-grounded, historically informed, and philosophically rigorous doctorate in Chinese philosophy and culture.