The Department of Philosophy

Professor Jacob Hamblin is the Director of Graduate Studies in the School of History, Philosophy, and Religion and serves as the general advisor for graduate students in philosophy. This may include both majors and minors in the MAIS program as well as the M.A. in Applied Ethics. The advising process for graduate students includes the following steps:

1) Apply for admission to the graduate program at Oregon State University. The Office of Admissions forwards each application to the program.

2) Once the application packet is complete (application, three letters of reference and a five to seven page writing sample illustrating critical reasoning and writing skills), Professor Hamblin, in consultation with the Philosophy graduate committee, either admits or rejects the application. An admission may be provisional with the specific requirements made explicit. The applicant is notified, usually by email, of the decision.

3) Once admitted, the student should meet with Professor Hamblin to discuss the direction of the proposed graduate program of study. In this first meeting, recommendations will be made for initial course work, and Professor Hamblin will discuss potential graduate committee member(s) with the student.

 4) The admitted graduate student is responsible for identifying and contacting the potential major professor and/or a minor professor, if called for, from Philosophy faculty within the first term or the early weeks of the second term of studies. The student must obtain an agreement from the faculty person to serve on the student's committee.  A program meeting, described on the Graduate School web page, is normally required in the second term of coursework.

 5) Once a major professor is identified, she or he becomes the graduate student's primary advisor and mentor.

 6) Professor Hamblin continues to assist all graduate students in the program in any way needed, particularly as a liaison with the Graduate School.