Jun 29, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Philosophy, B.A.


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Students majoring in Philosophy develop a comprehensive knowledge of the history of philosophy and the representative philosophical problems and issues of the discipline. The study of philosophy further enhances the student’s capacity to apply philosophical methods to intellectual problems across academic fields of study. Students critically study the abiding questions facing humankind: What is the nature of God? Why be moral? Is there an afterlife? What is beauty? What is truth? What is justice? What does it mean to know? The study of philosophy develops analytical, critical, and interpretive abilities, cultivating a student’s capacities for reflection and self-expression.

The study of philosophy is excellent preparation for careers that demand careful reading, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities. A major in Philosophy provides a solid foundation for students planning careers in medicine, law, education, and business. Philosophy majors are among the top performers on the Law School Aptitude Test and the Medical College Aptitude Test. Philosophy majors also succeed in both the executive and management sectors of business that require the ability to assimilate information, analyze situations, and produce effective solutions to complex problems.

Degree Requirements

Institutional Degree Requirements 

Program-Specific Degree Requirements: To be eligible for graduation, students majoring in Philosophy must complete two semesters of one foreign language.

General Education Requirement


First Year Seminar


Foundation Requirements


Communication course:


Advanced Communication course:


Quantitative Fluency course:


Global Citizenship course:


  • Satisfied by major (6 credits of the same foreign language)

Disciplinary Perspectives Requirements


Humanities course:


Choose 3 credits of the following Arts courses:


Choose 3 credits of the following Social and Behavioral Sciences courses:


Choose 3 credits of the following Natural and Physical Sciences courses:


Constellation Requirements


The Constellation requirement is met when a student completes four courses from a minimum of three disciplines within the Constellation requirements. Students who transfer in 60 credits or more at the time of admission to the college will be waived from the Constellation requirement, except for Education majors. The waiver applies to the requirement for graduation but does not waive the credits to graduate; students need to meet the overall bachelor’s degree credit requirement.

Required Courses


Students must receive a grade of 2.0 or higher in each course within the major.

Philosophy or Religion Electives


Students must complete a total of 15 elective credits. At least 9 credits must be at the 300 level or higher. Up to 9 credits may be REL courses.

Foreign Language Requirement


Students must complete two semesters (6 credits) of the same foreign language.

General Elective Courses


Students must complete 36 credits of free elective courses.

Suggested Course Sequence


Freshman Year (30 credits)


Fall Semester (15 credits)


Spring Semester (15 credits)


Sophomore Year (30 credits)


Fall Semester (15 credits)


Spring Semester (15 credits)


  • Philosophy & Religion Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Philosophy & Religion Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Foreign Language course 3 credit hours
  • Disciplinary Perspectives - Natural/Physical Sciences course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours

Junior Year (30 credits)


Fall Semester (15 credits)


Spring Semester (15 credits)


Senior Year (30 credits)


Fall Semester (15 credits)


Spring Semester (15 credits)


  • 3 credit hours
  • Philosophy & Religion Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours

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