Graduate Programs

Why Applied Philosophy at UofL?

Applied philosophy at UofL means ethics with institutional reach. Our faculty include a clinical ethicist at Norton Healthcare and researchers whose work on health equity and philosophy of medicine appears in Nature and leading policy journals – and our graduates serve on hospital ethics committees, consult with governments and organizations, and teach. Students work closely with faculty, study in a dedicated graduate library and study room (Stevenson 423), and join a program founded by Dr. Paul D. Simmons, whose legacy of principled ethical leadership the Simmons Scholars program carries forward.

How to Apply

Apply for the MA in Applied Philosophy through the Graduate Admissions Office with: the graduate application and fee; TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores for international applicants; two recent letters of recommendation from people familiar with your academic work (discursive letters from former professors preferred); a curriculum vitae or résumé; a personal statement of 2–4 double-spaced pages (500–1,000 words) explaining why you want to pursue the MA in Applied Philosophy; and a writing sample – a substantial, polished, persuasive paper demonstrating high-level undergraduate research (waived for applicants already accepted into a medical fellowship or PhD program). Deadline: February 15 for fall enrollment.

Funding: The Paul D. Simmons Ethical Leadership Scholars Program

A merit- and need-based scholarship for students in the Health Care Ethics track, honoring Dr. Paul D. Simmons, a founding faculty member of UofL’s Health Care Ethics program who left a previous institution rather than sign a doctrine that violated his ethical convictions. The scholarship provides direct support toward tuition and educational costs with no additional obligations, recognizing academic excellence and the potential to carry forward his legacy of ethical leadership, free inquiry and community engagement.