Philosophy graduate programs transmit an enormous amount of tacit knowledge—about how seminars work, how to write for a professional audience, how to navigate advisor relationships, how the job market actually operates—through informal channels that are uneven, unreliable, and often invisible to students who most need them. This series makes that hidden curriculum explicit.
These materials are written for philosophy students at any institution. They are free to use, share, and adapt. I welcome feedback from students and supervisors.
Available Now
4 of 58 planned materials completed
PhD Comprehensive Exam Preparation Guide
How to approach comprehensive exams strategically: what they test, how to prepare, how to manage the process.
PhD Thesis Defense Preparation
What to expect from a thesis defense, how to prepare your presentation and responses, and how to navigate the examination.
Navigating Your PhD Thesis Defense
A companion guide focused on the defense day itself—what happens in the room and how to manage it.
The Public Lecture
How to design and deliver a philosophical public talk for a non-specialist audience.
Full Series Roadmap
Phase 1 — Late Undergraduate & Graduate Admissions (9 materials)
Is Graduate School Right for You? · MA vs. PhD Pathways · What Graduate School is Actually Like · Identifying Program Fit · Statement of Purpose · Writing Sample Selection · Letters of Recommendation · Evaluating Graduate Offers · Preparing for Graduate School
Phase 2 — MA Program (10 materials)
Transition to Graduate Expectations · Reading for Graduate Seminars · Seminar Participation · From Seminar Paper to Philosophical Argument · Developing Your Philosophical Voice · Early Professionalization · Working with Your Advisor · MA Thesis Planning and Execution · Deciding on PhD Applications · PhD Applications from MA
Phase 3 — PhD Program (16 materials, 4 completed)
PhD Comprehensive Exam Preparation ✓ · Advanced Coursework Strategies · Teaching as a Graduate Student · Developing a Research Agenda · From Comprehensive Exams to Dissertation · Crafting a Viable Dissertation Proposal · Dissertation Committee Formation · Dissertation Writing Strategies · Managing the Dissertation Process · Finishing and Submitting · PhD Thesis Defense Preparation ✓ · Navigating Your PhD Thesis Defense ✓ · The Philosophy Job Market · Academic Job Application Materials · The Academic Job Interview · Managing Job Market Rejection
Hidden Curriculum (8 materials)
Welcome to Graduate School: The Hidden Curriculum Revealed · Department Culture and Professional Navigation · How Philosophy Actually Works · Mental Health and Wellbeing · Imposter Syndrome · Teaching as a Graduate Student (expanded) · Publishing in Philosophy · Conference Participation
International Students (5 materials)
International Student Navigation Guide · Arrival and Setup Handbook · Navigating US/Canadian Academic Culture · Visa and Immigration Basics · International Student Job Market Guide
Cross-Cutting (10 materials)
Graduate Program Timeline and Milestones · Getting Back on Track After Setbacks · The Public Lecture ✓ · Disability Accommodations · Funding Your Graduate Education · Building Your Professional Network · Digital Presence and Academic Identity · Work–Life Integration · Mentorship Beyond Your Advisor · Transitioning Out of Academia
Questions or suggestions? → Contact
Dr. Benjamin Hill 