At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
This major provides in-depth study of fundamental issues that confront all people. Topics include ethics, social and political philosophy, and aesthetics--study of the good life, justice, and beauty; metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of religion--study of the nature of reality, mind, body, and the meaning of life and death; epistemology, philosophy of science, and logic--study of the nature of knowledge, truth, objectivity, and principles of sound reasoning; and subjects such as comparative philosophies, theories of race, gender, and class, and philosophical issues in technology, language, education, and the professions of law, business, medicine, communications, engineering, and agriculture. These studies enhance imaginative, interpretive, analytical, critical, and communicative capacities. Majors should acquire the intellectual abilities crucial for self-fulfillment, responsible participation in public life, and success in a wide range of careers--including law, business, education, journalism, medicine, and public service.
Majors may pursue concentration in the history of philosophy; humanities and arts; philosophy of science and mathematics; social sciences; the professions; or justice, law, and values. These concentrations are combined easily with minors, area studies, and concurrent majors. Qualified students participate in honors study and internships.
General Philosophy Option
This option provides students with a concentration in the history of western philosophy and the historical development and impact of philosophical ideas and issues--from the ancient to the contemporary period. It is designed for all students who seek a broad liberal education, including students interested in graduate study in philosophy.
Humanities and Arts Option
This option provides students with a concentration in philosophical issues in the arts, art history, literature, languages, history, and religion. It is designed for students primarily interested in the philosophical dimensions of the arts, humanities, and cultural studies, including students with career or further educational goals in these fields.
Philosophy of Science and Mathematics Option
This option provides students with a concentration in philosophical issues in the life sciences, the physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, and technology. It is designed for students primarily interested in the philosophical dimensions of the natural sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including students with career or further educational goals in these fields.
Social Sciences Option
This option provides students with a concentration in philosophical issues in the social sciences, social and political theory, and education. It is designed for students primarily interested in the philosophical dimensions of social thought and methodological and normative issues in the social sciences, educational theory, and public policy, including students with career or further educational goals in these fields.
Professional Studies Option
This option provides students with a concentration in philosophical issues and dimensions in the theory and practice of the professions of agriculture, business, engineering, journalism, law, and medicine and health care. It is designed for students seeking a foundation in the philosophical dimensions of these professions, including students who wish to combine humanistic study with career or further educational goals in these fields.
Justice, Law, and Values Option
This option provides students with a concentration in philosophical issues in ethics, jurisprudence, social and political theory, and everyday life. It is designed for students primarily interested in moral, social, political, and legal questions concerning value and is especially appropriate for those anticipating future educational work in law school.
What is Philosophy?
Philosophy is the oldest of the liberal arts, and is often defined simply as the love of wisdom. Philosophy is at the core of the liberal arts tradition and provided the foundation for the modern university, yet it remains highly relevant to life in technologically complex, diverse, global, information driven societies such as our own. The Philosophy major provides in-depth study of fundamental issues that inescapably confront all persons, such as ethics, social and political philosophy, aesthetics, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of religion, epistemology, philosophy of science, and logic. These studies enhance imaginative, interpretive, analytical, critical, and communicative capacities. Majors thus may acquire intellectual abilities crucial for self-fulfillment, responsible participation in public life, and success in a wide range of careers—including law, business, education, journalism, medicine, and public service.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You want to develop critical thinking skills, including constructing, interpreting, and critically analyzing philosophical arguments.
- You want to learn about major thinkers, schools, and trends of the Western philosophical tradition, and to appreciate the importance and value of other thought.
- You want to compose clear, coherent written expressions of complex philosophical ideas, theories, and arguments.
- You have enthusiasm for inquiry and want engage in philosophical discussions about ethics, social and political philosophy, metaphysics, and aesthetics.
Entrance to Major
In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, a student must:
- attain at least a C (2.00) cumulative grade-point average for all courses taken at the University; and
- have at least third-semester classification.
READ SENATE POLICY 37-30: ENTRANCE TO AND CHANGES IN MAJOR PROGRAMS OF STUDY
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, a minimum of 120 credits is required:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 45 |
| Electives | 21 |
| Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements | 24 |
| Requirements for the Major | 30 |
3 of the 24 credits for Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements are included in the Requirements for the Major, General Education, or Electives and 0-12 credits are included in Electives if world language proficiency is demonstrated by examination.
Per Senate Policy 83-80.5, the college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Requirements for the Major
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major. To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn at least a C grade in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
Common Requirements for the Major (All Options)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 9 credits in philosophy at the 200 level | 9 | |
| Requirements for the Option | ||
| Requirements for the Option: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select an option | 21 | |
Requirements for the Option
General Philosophy Option (21 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| PHIL 12 | Symbolic Logic  | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 6 credits in philosophy at the 00 or 100 level | 6 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Ancient Philosophy | ||
| Medieval Philosophy | ||
| Modern Philosophy: 1600-1800 | ||
| Nineteenth Century Philosophy | ||
| Twentieth Century Philosophy | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 9 credits in philosophy at the 400 level, in consultation with adviser | 9 | |
Humanities and Arts Option (21 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| PHIL 10 | Critical Thinking | 3 |
| or PHIL 12 | Symbolic Logic | |
| Select 6 credits in philosophy at the 00 or 100 level | 6 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| American Philosophy | ||
| Seminar in European Philosophy | ||
| Seminar in Aesthetics | ||
| Seminar in Philosophy of Literature | ||
| Seminar in Philosophy of Religion | ||
| Science and Religion | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 6 additional credits in philosophy at the 400 level, in consultation with adviser | 6 | |
| Select 3 credits at the 400 level in a related arts or humanities discipline, in consultation with adviser | 3 | |
Philosophy of Science and Mathematics Option (21 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| PHIL 12 | Symbolic Logic | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 6 credits in philosophy at the 00 or 100 level | 6 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Seminar in Philosophy of Technology | ||
| Seminar in Philosophy of Science | ||
| Seminar in Epistemology | ||
| Seminar in Metaphysics | ||
| Seminar in Philosophy of Mind | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 6 additional credits in philosophy at the 400 level, in consultation with adviser | 6 | |
| Select 3 credits at the 400 level in a mathematics or natural science discipline, in consultation with adviser | 3 | |
Social Sciences Option (21 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| PHIL 12 | Symbolic Logic | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 6 credits in philosophy at the 00 or 100 level | 6 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| American Philosophy | ||
| Seminar in Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| Philosophy of Social Science | ||
| Seminar in Epistemology | ||
| Seminar in Feminist Philosophy | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 6 additional credits in philosophy at the 400 level, in consultation with adviser | 6 | |
| Select 3 credits at the 400 level in social science, in consultation with adviser | 3 | |
Professional Studies Option (21 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 6 credits in philosophy at the 00 or 100 level | 6 | |
| PHIL 10 | Critical Thinking | 3 |
| or PHIL 12 | Symbolic Logic | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Seminar in Philosophy of Law | ||
| Seminar in Ethical Theory | ||
| Medical and Health Care Ethics | ||
| Ethics in Science and Engineering | ||
| Science and Religion | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 9 credits at the 400 level in a professional area outside philosophy, in consultation with adviser | 9 | |
Justice, Law, and Values Option (21 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| PHIL 105 | Philosophy of Law | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| PHIL 10 | Critical Thinking | 3 |
| or PHIL 12 | Symbolic Logic | |
| Select 3 credits in philosophy at the 00 or 100 level | 3 | |
| Select 3 credits in philosophy at the 400 level | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Seminar in Environmental Ethics | ||
| Seminar in Philosophy of Law | ||
| Seminar in Philosophy of Technology | ||
| Seminar in Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| Seminar in Ethical Theory | ||
| Seminar in Epistemology | ||
| Medical and Health Care Ethics | ||
| Ethics in Science and Engineering | ||
| Seminar in Feminist Philosophy | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Racial and Ethnic Inequality in America | ||
| The Post-World War II Civil Rights Movement | ||
| Rhetoric and Law | ||
| Law of Mass Communications | ||
| Constitutional History of the United States to 1877 | ||
| Constitutional History of the United States since 1877 | ||
| The Legislative Process | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| Topics in Comparative Government and Institutions | ||
| Ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance Political Theories | ||
| Modern and Contemporary Political Theories | ||
| American Constitutional Law | ||
| The American Legal Process | ||
| Civil Liberties and Due Process | ||
| Sexual and Domestic Violence | ||
| Women and the Criminal Justice System | ||
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Arts (GA): 3 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 3 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
Integrative Studies
- Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits
Exploration
- GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
- GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
B.A. Degree Requirements
World Language (0-12 credits): Student must attain 12th credit level of proficiency in one world language in addition to English. This proficiency must be demonstrated by either examination or course work. See the Placement Policy for Penn State World Language Courses.
B.A. Fields (9 credits): Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arts, World Languages, Natural Sciences, Quantification (may not be taken in the area of the student's primary major; world language credits in this category must be in a second world language in addition to English or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the first language). Credits must be selected from the list of approved courses.
World Cultures (0-3 credits): Select 3 credits from approved list. Students may count courses in this category in order to meet other major, minor, elective, or General Education requirements, except for the University Cultural Diversity (US/IL) requirement.
Integrated B.A. degree in Philosophy and M.A. degree in Philosophy
Requirements for the Integrated B.A. degree in Philosophy and M.A. degree in Philosophy can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.
Program Learning Objectives
- Learning about major philosophical figures, issues, traditions, methods, and trends.
- Understanding the relevance of the philosophical ideas and approaches for contemporary life, including in theoretical, scientific, existential, religious, cultural, ethical, social, and political contexts.
- Developing critical writing, reading, and speaking skills with an eye towards understanding, constructing, and assessing abstract, complex, or controversial philosophical arguments.
- Acquiring an inquisitive disposition toward philosophical questions and a willingness to justify and modify one’s views about those questions through respectful conversation.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Liberal Arts Academic Advising
814-865-2545
Use the Liberal Arts Meet the Academic Advisers web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2024-25 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.
General Philosophy Option: Philosophy, B.A. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 15, 30H, ESL 15, ENGL 137H, or CAS 137H‡ | 3 | 1-100 level PHIL Course | 3 |
| First Year Seminar | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| World Language Level 1 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| 1-100 level PHIL Course | 3 | World Language Level 2 | 4 |
| General Education Quantification Course‡ | 3 | General Education Quantification Course‡ | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CAS 100, ENGL 138T, or CAS 138T‡ | 3 | PHIL 12* | 3 |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | Concentration Course* | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| World Language Level 3 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | Concentration Course* | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D‡ | 3 |
| BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | Concentration Course* | 3 |
| Concentration Course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| BA World Cultures | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 | General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 |
| 13.5 | 13.5 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.
Bachelor of Arts Requirements:
Bachelor of Arts students must take 9 credits in Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Fields (Humanities; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Arts; World Languages [2nd language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the 1st]; Natural Sciences; Quantification). The B.A. Fields courses may not be taken in the area of the student’s primary major. See your adviser and the Degree Requirements section of this Bulletin.
Bachelor of Arts students must take 3 credits in World Cultures.
See your adviser and the full list of courses approved as World Cultures courses.
Advising Note:
All incoming freshmen must take a First-Year Seminar (FYS) during Fall or Spring of their first year. Academic advisers can provide a list of FYS being offered and help the student enroll. Most FYS in the College of the Liberal Arts are worth 3 cr. and count as a General Humanities (GH) or General Social Sciences (GS) course. For this reason, the FYS is not listed separately on this eight-semester plan; most students will be able to fulfill the FYS requirement while also fulfilling a GH or GS requirement.
Humanities and Arts Option: Philosophy, B.A. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 15, 30H, ESL 15, ENGL 137H, or CAS 137H‡ | 3 | 1-100 level PHIL Course | 3 |
| First Year Seminar | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| World Language Level 1 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | World Language Level 2 | 4 |
| General Education Quantification Course‡ | 3 | General Education Quantification Course‡ | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CAS 100, ENGL 138T, or CAS 138T‡ | 3 | PHIL 12 or 10* | 3 |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | Concentration Course* | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| World Language Level 3 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | PHIL 401, 402, 409, 413, 424, or 435* | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D‡ | 3 |
| BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | Concentration Course* | 3 |
| 4xx level in Humanities* | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| BA World Cultures | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 | General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 |
| 13.5 | 13.5 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.
Bachelor of Arts Requirements:
Bachelor of Arts students must take 9 credits in Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Fields (Humanities; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Arts; World Languages [2nd language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the 1st]; Natural Sciences; Quantification). The B.A. Fields courses may not be taken in the area of the student’s primary major. See your adviser and the Degree Requirements section of this Bulletin.
Bachelor of Arts students must take 3 credits in World Cultures.
See your adviser and the full list of courses approved as World Cultures courses.
Advising Note:
All incoming freshmen must take a First-Year Seminar (FYS) during Fall or Spring of their first year. Academic advisers can provide a list of FYS being offered and help the student enroll. Most FYS in the College of the Liberal Arts are worth 3 cr. and count as a General Humanities (GH) or General Social Sciences (GS) course. For this reason, the FYS is not listed separately on this eight-semester plan; most students will be able to fulfill the FYS requirement while also fulfilling a GH or GS requirement.
Philosophy of Science and Mathematics Option: Philosophy, B.A. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 15, 30H, ESL 15, ENGL 137H, or CAS 137H‡ | 3 | 1-100 level PHIL Course | 3 |
| First Year Seminar | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| World Language Level 1 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | World Language Level 2 | 4 |
| General Education Quantification Course‡ | 3 | General Education Quantification Course‡ | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CAS 100, ENGL 138T, or CAS 138T‡ | 3 | PHIL 12* | 3 |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | Concentration Course* | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| World Language Level 3 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | PHIL 407, 410, 425W, 426W, or 427* | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D‡ | 3 |
| BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | Concentration Course* | 3 |
| 4xx level in Mathematics and Science* | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| BA World Cultures | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 | General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 |
| 13.5 | 13.5 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.
Bachelor of Arts Requirements:
Bachelor of Arts students must take 9 credits in Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Fields (Humanities; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Arts; World Languages [2nd language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the 1st]; Natural Sciences; Quantification). The B.A. Fields courses may not be taken in the area of the student’s primary major. See your adviser and the Degree Requirements section of this Bulletin.
Bachelor of Arts students must take 3 credits in World Cultures.
See your adviser and the full list of courses approved as World Cultures courses.
Advising Note:
All incoming freshmen must take a First-Year Seminar (FYS) during Fall or Spring of their first year. Academic advisers can provide a list of FYS being offered and help the student enroll. Most FYS in the College of the Liberal Arts are worth 3 cr. and count as a General Humanities (GH) or General Social Sciences (GS) course. For this reason, the FYS is not listed separately on this eight-semester plan; most students will be able to fulfill the FYS requirement while also fulfilling a GH or GS requirement.
Social Sciences Option: Philosophy, B.A. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 15, 30H, ESL 15, ENGL 137H, or CAS 137H‡ | 3 | 1-100 level PHIL Course | 3 |
| First Year Seminar | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| World Language Level 1 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | World Language Level 2 | 4 |
| General Education Quantification Course‡ | 3 | General Education Quantification Course‡ | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CAS 100, ENGL 138T, or CAS 138T‡ | 3 | PHIL 12* | 3 |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | Concentration Course* | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| World Language Level 3 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | PHIL 401, 408W, 416, 425W, or 438* | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D‡ | 3 |
| BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | Concentration Course* | 3 |
| 4xx level in Social Sciences* | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| BA World Cultures | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 | General Education Health and Wellness | 1.5 |
| 13.5 | 13.5 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.
Bachelor of Arts Requirements:
Bachelor of Arts students must take 9 credits in Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Fields (Humanities; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Arts; World Languages [2nd language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the 1st]; Natural Sciences; Quantification). The B.A. Fields courses may not be taken in the area of the student’s primary major. See your adviser and the Degree Requirements section of this Bulletin.
Bachelor of Arts students must take 3 credits in World Cultures.
See your adviser and the full list of courses approved as World Cultures courses.
Advising Note:
All incoming freshmen must take a First-Year Seminar (FYS) during Fall or Spring of their first year. Academic advisers can provide a list of FYS being offered and help the student enroll. Most FYS in the College of the Liberal Arts are worth 3 cr. and count as a General Humanities (GH) or General Social Sciences (GS) course. For this reason, the FYS is not listed separately on this eight-semester plan; most students will be able to fulfill the FYS requirement while also fulfilling a GH or GS requirement.
Professional Studies Option: Philosophy, B.A. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 15, 30H, ESL 15, ENGL 137H, or CAS 137H‡ | 3 | 1-100 level PHIL Course | 3 |
| First Year Seminar | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| World Language Level 1 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | World Language Level 2 | 4 |
| General Education Quantification Course‡ | 3 | General Education Quantification Course‡ | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CAS 100, ENGL 138T, or CAS 138T‡ | 3 | PHIL 12 or 10* | 3 |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | Concentration Course* | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| World Language Level 3 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | PHIL 405, 418, 432, 433, or 435* | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D‡ | 3 |
| BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | Concentration Course* | 3 |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| BA World Cultures | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 | General Education Health and Wellness | 1.5 |
| 13.5 | 13.5 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.
Bachelor of Arts Requirements:
Bachelor of Arts students must take 9 credits in Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Fields (Humanities; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Arts; World Languages [2nd language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the 1st]; Natural Sciences; Quantification). The B.A. Fields courses may not be taken in the area of the student’s primary major. See your adviser and the Degree Requirements section of this Bulletin.
Bachelor of Arts students must take 3 credits in World Cultures.
See your adviser and the full list of courses approved as World Cultures courses.
Advising Note:
All incoming freshmen must take a First-Year Seminar (FYS) during Fall or Spring of their first year. Academic advisers can provide a list of FYS being offered and help the student enroll. Most FYS in the College of the Liberal Arts are worth 3 cr. and count as a General Humanities (GH) or General Social Sciences (GS) course. For this reason, the FYS is not listed separately on this eight-semester plan; most students will be able to fulfill the FYS requirement while also fulfilling a GH or GS requirement.
Justice, Law, and Values Option: Philosophy, B.A. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 15, 30H, ESL 15, ENGL 137H, or CAS 137H‡ | 3 | PHIL 105* | 3 |
| First Year Seminar | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| World Language Level 1 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | World Language Level 2 | 4 |
| General Education Quantification Course‡ | 3 | General Education Quantification Course‡ | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CAS 100, ENGL 138T, or CAS 138T‡ | 3 | PHIL 12 or 10* | 3 |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | Concentration Course* | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| World Language Level 3 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | PHIL 403, 405, 407, 408W, 418, 425W, 432, 433, or 438* | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D‡ | 3 |
| BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Concentration Course* | 3 | AFAM 409, 465, CAS 321, COMM 402, HIST 449, HIST 450, PLSC 403, PLSC 412, PLSC 431, PLSC 432, PLSC 471, PLSC 472, PLSC 473, PLSC 474, WMNST 423, or WMNST 453* | 3 |
| BA World Cultures | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| BA Knowledge Domain Course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 | Elective | 3 |
| AFAM 409, 465, CAS 321, COMM 402, HIST 449, HIST 450, PLSC 403, PLSC 412, PLSC 431, PLSC 432, PLSC 471, PLSC 472, PLSC 473, PLSC 474, WMNST 423, or WMNST 453* | 3 | General Education Health and Wellness | 1.5 |
| 13.5 | 13.5 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.
Bachelor of Arts Requirements:
Bachelor of Arts students must take 9 credits in Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Fields (Humanities; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Arts; World Languages [2nd language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the 1st]; Natural Sciences; Quantification). The B.A. Fields courses may not be taken in the area of the student’s primary major. See your adviser and the Degree Requirements section of this Bulletin.
Bachelor of Arts students must take 3 credits in World Cultures.
See your adviser and the full list of courses approved as World Cultures courses.
Advising Note:
All incoming freshmen must take a First-Year Seminar (FYS) during Fall or Spring of their first year. Academic advisers can provide a list of FYS being offered and help the student enroll. Most FYS in the College of the Liberal Arts are worth 3 cr. and count as a General Humanities (GH) or General Social Sciences (GS) course. For this reason, the FYS is not listed separately on this eight-semester plan; most students will be able to fulfill the FYS requirement while also fulfilling a GH or GS requirement.
Career Paths
Students in the Philosophy major may choose to pursue one of several areas of concentration, including the history of philosophy, humanities and arts, natural sciences and mathematics, social sciences, professional studies, or justice, law and values. Each option is designed to prepare students to reach career or educational goals in its associated field.
Careers
Philosophy students learn the kinds of critical, interpretive, analytical, and argumentative skills highly prized by employers in a wide variety of fields, including publishing, non-profit work, consulting, information technology, law, business, education, journalism, medicine, and public service.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
Philosophy students score consistently higher than other majors on LSAT, MCAT, and GMAT exams. The study of philosophy provides students with an outstanding preparation for law school, medical school, and other advanced degrees. For those students interested in pursuing graduate work in philosophy, our department has a strong record of placing its graduates into top-notch doctoral programs.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES
Professional Resources
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
234 Sparks Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-6397
cvc6@psu.edu