Master and PhD Program

Master and PhD Program in Philosophy at Guizhou University

1. Discipline Overview

The School of Philosophy at Guizhou University offers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs in Philosophy. By deepening fundamental theoretical research, enhancing disciplinary platform construction, promoting interdisciplinary cooperation, and creating a distinctive philosophy research and teaching base, the school aims to cultivate philosophy talents with critical thinking, broad vision, and noble character.

2. Training Objectives

The program requires students to master the basic methods and views of Dialectical Materialism and Historical Materialism, possess high academic ethics and humanistic qualities. Based on taking various master's courses, reading professional literature, and participating in industry practices, students should acquire a solid theoretical foundation and systematic professional knowledge, staying updated with academic and industry dynamics in their research fields. Students are expected to master a foreign language, capable of reading professional books and journals fluently, and summarizing professional writings. Their theses should possess a certain degree of innovation and high academic standards. They should have the foundation and ability for continued learning. Graduates should be competent to engage in teaching, research, or relevant practical management work in the field.

3. Duration of Study

The master's degree in Philosophy is a three-year program, while the doctoral degree is a four-year program. Master's students must complete the coursework and mid-term assessments within the specified time, and complete a master's thesis under the guidance of their supervisor. They will earn the master's degree in Philosophy after passing the thesis defense. Doctoral students must pass the qualifying examination, fulfill the academic paper publication requirements, and complete a doctoral dissertation under the supervisor's guidance. They will earn the doctoral degree in Philosophy after passing the defense.

4. Research Directions

For master's students, the research directions include Marxist Philosophy, Chinese Philosophy, Foreign Philosophy, Aesthetics, Logic, Ethics, Religious Studies, and Philosophy of Science and Technology. For doctoral students, the directions include Marxist Philosophy, Chinese Philosophy, Foreign Philosophy, and Aesthetics.

5. Training Methods

For master's students, the program combines coursework with reading professional literature, intertwines supervisor guidance with self-study, integrates theoretical learning with social practice, and balances foundational studies with research work. Public courses are primarily lecture-based, complemented by self-study. Professional courses employ various dynamic teaching methods such as lectures, seminars, and academic reports to promote academic exchange between teachers and students, enhancing the students' learning and research abilities.

In the first year, students are expected to study public and professional courses while reading professional literature as suggested by their supervisors. In the second year, they will complete academic reports, prepare for their thesis proposal, and carry out specialized research and writing of a qualification paper. In the third year, they will finish their thesis and pass the thesis defense.

For doctoral students, the focus is on academic research, emphasizing their ability to conduct independent scholarly work. They should earn certain credits through coursework to systematically grasp the theories and methods in their discipline, improving their problem-solving abilities. The training adopts a mentor-led method, combined with group supervision, utilizing the collective strengths of the academic community to foster an environment conducive to the development of creative thinking. Throughout the program, a dynamic interaction between the mentor's guidance and the doctoral student's initiative is maintained.

6. Training Requirements

Master's students are required to participate in orientation upon admission; attend scientific ethics and academic integrity meetings organized by the university and their departments, study relevant materials, and pass assessments; complete two out of four tasks: teaching assistance, research assistance, administrative assistance, or local service (participating in Doctor Engineer, Doctor Village Head, or Science and Technology Village programs); give at least one public academic presentation; and participate in at least one disciplinary competition.

Doctoral students must participate in military training, attend the first lecture by the university president and party secretary, and complete other orientation activities with satisfactory results. They should also pass assessments on scientific ethics, academic integrity, and moral education. During their studies, they are required to engage in teaching assistance and research practice, attend at least twenty academic activities, give two public academic presentations at provincial or higher-level academic conferences (including one at an international conference), publicly conduct their dissertation proposal and defense, undergo timely mid-term inspections of their dissertation, and submit one mid-term progress report for their doctoral dissertation.

7. Degree Conferral Requirements

These will be implemented according to relevant university documents.

8. Curriculum and Credit Requirements