Philosophy

Overview

Philosophy programs teach people to think critically about ideas.

Philosophy programs include topics such as:

Logic
Ethics
Aesthetics
Metaphysics
History of philosophy

Concentrations

In philosophy programs, students may be able to specialize in:

Philosophy and religious studies
Logic

Schools

A few community colleges and two-year schools offer associate degree programs in philosophy. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete.

Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in philosophy. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

Several universities offer graduate degrees in philosophy. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers to Consider

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

English Composition
Public Speaking
Second Language
World History

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
Letters of recommendation

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

Contemporary Philosophers
English Composition
Ethics
History of Philosophy: Ancient
History of Philosophy: Modern
Introduction to Philosophy
Logic
Metaphysics
Senior Seminar
Speech Communication
Theories of Knowledge

Things to Know

If you want to do graduate study in philosophy, you will probably need to know at least one scholarly language. French and German are usually preferred. If you want to specialize in ancient philosophers, Latin or Greek would be helpful.