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Bachelor of Arts Programs — Overview

The Philosophy program offers courses on the history of philosophy, philosophical issues, and the cognitive skills required in philosophy. These offer students a deeper understanding of our past and our place in the world, as well as helping them to develop analytic and writing skills that are valuable in all disciplines. After graduation, philosophy students are well prepared to enter law school or graduate degree programs, or to pursue careers that require strong analytical and writing skills.

Philosophy Undergraduate Studies

Students choose from two areas for a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy:

  • Traditional Philosophy Major
  • Pre-Law Emphasis

Goals of the Major

Philosophy students will be able to:

  • write clear, organized, and grammatically correct prose.
  • read philosophical texts critically.
  • formulate a clear and substantive position regarding a major philosophical problem.
  • develop cogent arguments in support of that position, and to recognize and criticize the strongest arguments against it.
  • understand major philosophers' arguments relevant to that position.
  • understand the larger historical and intellectual context of the problem addressed.
  • understand the broader implications of the position embraced.

Traditional Philosophy Major

The Traditional Philosophy major provides students pursuing liberal arts education training in the history of philosophy, philosophical issues, and the analytic skills required in philosophy. This training will provide students with strong analytical and writing skills, the ability to read philosophical texts critically, the ability to formulate and defend philosophical positions, and a grasp of the historical context and broader implications of philosophical positions.

Our professors have published numerous papers, have completed extensive research, and have presented their papers and research at conferences and congresses around the world. 

A student with this degree could be looking for a career as a lawyer, social worker, counselor, professor, or researcher. Alumni from our undergraduate program have held positions in college advisory, law firms, counseling, and non-profit organizations.

Degree Requirements

Philosophy majors need to complete all General Education requirements set forth by the university.

In addition to completing the General Education requirements, Philosophy majors are required to complete 30 credits within the Department of English and Philosophy related to their area of study. The courses students are required to take for the major are listed below.

Required Courses

  • PHIL 2201 – Introduction to Logic (3 cr.)
  • PHIL 4450 – Ethical Theory (3 cr.)
  • PHIL 4460 – Theory of Knowledge (3 cr.)
  • PHIL 4492 – Senior Tutorial (3 cr.)

Two of the following

  • PHIL 2210 – Introduction to Asian Philosophies (3 cr.)
  • PHIL 3305 – History of Philosophy: Greek Reason and Christian Faith (3 cr.)
  • PHIL 3315 – History of Philosophy: Early Modern Philosophy (3 cr.)

Elective Component

  • 4 additional 3-credit Philosophy courses (12 cr.)

Philosophy — Pre-Law Emphasis

The Philosophy — Pre-Law Emphasis will prepare the student for a continued education in the field of law or medicine. Philosophy majors consistently receive among the highest scores on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). A student completing the Philosophy — Pre-Law emphasis will learn analytical skills, the ability to present arguments in a compelling way, the ability to read texts critically, and logical thinking.

Our professors have published numerous papers, have completed extensive research, and have presented their papers and research at conferences and congresses around the world.

A student with this degree could be looking for a career as a lawyer, social worker, counselor, or professor. Undergraduate alumni have gone on to careers in law, hospitality, and other fields.

Degree Requirements

Philosophy Pre-Law majors need to complete all General Education requirements set forth by the university. 

In addition to completing the General Education requirements, Philosophy Pre-Law majors are required to complete 30 credits within the Department of English and Philosophy related to the degree. The courses students are required to take for the degree are listed below.

Required Courses

  • PHIL 2201 – Introduction to Logic (3 cr.)
  • PHIL 3353 – Philosophy of Law (3 cr.)
  • PHIL 4450 – Ethical Theory (3 cr.)
  • PHIL 4460 – Theory of Knowledge (3 cr.)
  • PHIL 4492 – Senior Tutorial (3 cr.)

ONE of the following

  • PHIL 3305 – History of Philosophy: Greek Reason and Christian Faith (3 cr.)
  • PHIL 3315 – History of Philosophy: Early Modern Philosophy (3 cr.)

ONE of the following

  • PHIL 2255 – Political and Social Philosophy (3 cr.)
  • POLS 2213 – Introduction to Political Philosophy (3 cr.)
  • POLS 4418 – Topics in Political Theory (3 cr.)
  • POLS 4420 – Contemporary Political Theory (3 cr.)

ONE of the following

  • POLS 2249 – Introduction to Criminal Law (3 cr.)
  • POLS 4442 – Constitutional Law (3 cr.)
  • POLS 4443 – Civil Rights and Liberties (3 cr.)
  • POLS 4445 – Jurisprudence (3 cr.)

Elective Component

  • 2 additional 3-credit Philosophy courses (6 cr.)