Because of both considerable student demand for admission to the online philosophy program and the substantial motivation and self-discipline required to successfully complete an online degree, the program will necessarily need to be selective. This measure is taken to maximize the likelihood of student success and to make best use of limited resources.
Students will be required to provide a Statement of Purpose for admission to the online philosophy program in which they will be asked to respond to a question about their reasons for selecting the philosophy major and a question about a problem in philosophy that interests them. The Statement of Purpose will be evaluated by program faculty, along with the student's lower-division GPA and prior course work, in making an admissions decision.
Students must complete an application for admission to undergraduate study at UIS, including submission of all college transcripts. In addition, for admission to the online major, students must provide the following:
Writing sample (800-1200 words) Students must provide a writing sample in which they present a problem (or an area) in philosophy that interests them. The paper should be in the form of a short essay. Students may submit papers they have previously submitted for classes.
Statement of Purpose (100-200 words) Students also provide a brief Statement of Purpose in which they present their reasons for selecting the philosophy major online at UIS, as well as their familiarity with computers and the Internet. The program is committed to excellence in education in a learning environment enriched by diverse experiences, culture, and perspectives.
Letters of recommendation (optional) Students may ask up to three people familiar with their prior experience in philosophy to submit confidential letters of
TOEFL scores International students whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores. International students enrolled in online programs are not eligible for student visas.
The writing sample, statement of purpose, the student’s GPA, transcripts, and (optional) letters of recommendation will assist the program faculty in making admissions decisions. Communications with the student (online, via telephone, or in person) may also be taken into account.
