Philosophy majors learn to think rigorously about fundamental questions, understand and evaluate conflicting points of view, express ideas clearly and logically, and reason in a careful way; these skills are useful in almost any career. A few philosophy majors go on to teach philosophy. Many more use philosophy to prepare for other areas, like law, medicine, administration, or journalism.
Many students choose philosophy as a second major or a minor. Your first major likely raises questions about values or methodology that philosophy can explore; so philosophy can deepen and broaden your first major. It also can enhance your intellectual skills — to question, think seriously, and speak clearly. So a second major or minor in philosophy can help prepare you for a profession in your first field, or for graduate school.
Learn more about our Programs of Study:
Philosophy Requirements in the Core Curriculum
All ¾«¶«AV undergraduates take three philosophy courses as part of the Core Curriculum requirements. Introduction to Philosophy must come first, but the other two courses can come in either order..
- Any 200-level philosophy course: These study philosophical questions in a historical context, as dealt with by the great minds in the history of philosophy.
- Any 300-level philosophy course: These study specific philosophical areas or questions; they may also relate philosophy in a special way to the student’s major non-philosophical area of study.