布朗大学哲学博士学位课程旨在为学生的研究提供有力的支持。经过两年的课程学习，学生在第三年开始研究，方法是在教职员工的监督下进行文献综述，并参加旨在促进出版工作的研讨会。这些特殊课程可帮助学生确定论文主题。论文工作从第四年开始。在那年及以后的几年中，学生们每学期都在一个特别的研讨会（论文研讨会）上报名参加，在该研讨会上，他们介绍自己的研究成果并收到教师和同行的反馈。在此期间，他们还与论文顾问委员会其他成员密切合作。
Brown University Ph. D. program in Philosophy is designed to provide strong support for students' research. After devoting two years to coursework, students begin their research in the third year by conducting literature reviews under the supervision of faculty members, and by enrolling in a seminar that is intended to promote work aimed at publication. These special courses help students to identify dissertation topics. Dissertation work begins in earnest in the fourth year. In that year and in succeeding years, students enroll every semester in a special seminar, the dissertation workshop, in which they present their research and receive feedback from faculty and peers. During this time they also work closely with dissertation advisers other members of their dissertation committees.