Philosophy Program
Asbury University’s Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Philosophy degree program is designed to introduce you to the classic questions of the world through nurturing the critical thinking, evaluation and communication skills needed to tackle them.
The philosophy major asks you to discern the nature of the world and navigate a variety of perspectives, exploring the history of philosophical thinking and developing a rich understanding of prominent schools of thought.
The customizable program will empower you to uncover the complexities of topics like logic and ethics and allows you to follow your own philosophical inquiries, mining for truths about theories of knowledge, reality, and theology.
For it is owing to their wonder that men both now begin and at first began to philosophize. They wondered originally at the obvious difficulties, then advanced little by little in stated difficulties about the greater matters.
~Aristotle, Metaphysics
B.A. in Philosophy Degree Outcomes and Requirements
If you study philosophy at Asbury, you will learn to refine your curiosity and analytical skills, learn how to form and investigate questions, and extend your ability to clearly articulate findings. Through learning and practicing methods to solve complex problems, graduates of the program have progressed to study at the graduate level or have begun a fulfilling professional life.
In five required core courses and advanced philosophy courses, philosophy majors will learn a broad range of skills that promote success in future career paths. You’ll learn the essentials of ancient and modern philosophy, become familiar with major thinkers as well as search for solutions to relevant issues in intensive seminars.
Degree requirements for the bachelor’s degree in philosophy include:
- Nine credits in required philosophy core courses
- Six credits in required upper-level philosophy courses
- 18 credits in philosophy courses of choice (nine hours must be 300-level or above)
- Completion of the Foundations general education curriculum
- Around 38 remaining elective credits to fulfill credit hour requirements
Apart from requirements in classical schools of thought and methods, the flexibility of the degree requirements allows you to pursue a second major or refine a particular focus in your academic journey.
See complete degree requirements for the philosophy major.
Philosophy Courses
Each course in the philosophy program is designed to broaden your perspective and how you interact with the world around you. A complete education engages in many dialogues and gives you the tools to define your personal beliefs and principles.
Courses you may choose to take as a philosophy major include:
- Epistemology (Theory of Knowledge)
- Political and Social Philosophy
- Philosophy of Religion
- Philosophy of Science
- Philosophical Theology
- Seminar or Independent Study
Find complete courses offered by the department and course descriptions in the Asbury course catalog.
Minor in Philosophy
If you’re interested in other programs in the School of Christian Studies or another Asbury school, appending a minor in philosophy to a degree in a different discipline can expand critical engagement and enhance soft skills.
Taking philosophy courses teaches the mechanics of thought and how we venture to understand our world, giving you the opportunity to explore your curiosity and find answers to the world’s largest questions while earning a second degree.
See the requirements for the minor in philosophy.
Philosophy Major Career Pathways
As a balanced and well-rounded undergraduate program, the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy provides an excellent basis for many career paths and for graduate work in various areas.
Enriching your communication and collaboration skills with a broad foundation of knowledge can lead to success in fields such as:
- Business
- Government service
- Politics
- Journalism
- Writing
- Teaching
- Ministry
- Theological Studies
Whatever your personal and professional calling may be, our philosophy degree program lays the groundwork for success in any career by instilling how to navigate perspectives and articulate compelling visions for the future.
Preparation for Graduate Degree Programs
In addition to opening career possibilities at the bachelor’s level, the B.A. in Philosophy is an invaluable educational background for students who plan to apply to graduate school. If you’re interested in pursuing advanced degrees in philosophy, divinity, law, education or even medicine, this major is an excellent option, especially when paired with preparations in the other field.
According to the American Philosophical Association (APA), philosophy is one of the top two majors that have the best performances on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). In 2017-2018, philosophy majors were accepted to law schools at a higher rate than other popular fields.
The APA also reports that philosophy students excel when taking the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), an exam many graduate programs require students to take. Philosophy majors receive the highest marks in the Verbal and Analytic portions of the exam over other disciplines.
Why Study Philosophy at Asbury University?
Customize Your Plan of Study
Both the philosophy major and the minor program’s size enable students to combine their philosophy education with other areas of study that interest them. A unique academic background can forge a personal career path that aligns with your goals and values. You could add the 30-credit philosophy major or 18-credit minor to a degree like:
Experience Asbury’s Storied Philosophical History
Asbury University’s philosophy program is informed by the university’s unique history as a beacon of achievement in classical studies like humanities and social sciences. Graduates of the Asbury philosophy degree program have gone on to study at the University of Notre Dame, Oxford, University of Chicago, Yale, University of Virginia, Saint Louis University, Edinburgh, The Ohio State University and many other prestigious universities.
Our philosophy program also led to the creation of the Faith & Philosophy scholarly journal, which publishes research at the intersection of philosophy and Christian studies.
Learn and Practice Philosophy Off Campus and Abroad
In addition to opportunities to research and practice philosophy hands-on through independent study, Asbury University offers you unique paths to connect with their peers and communities in Kentucky and beyond.
Philosophy majors can earn internship experience in local ministries or organizations or take advantage of Asbury’s robust travel abroad programs. You can take a travel course, where classroom studies support a class trip or choose to spend an entire semester abroad. As a philosophy major, you will receive an introduction to cross-cultural perspectives deepens your abilities to solve complex problems.
Explore Asbury’s global initiatives and possibilities for Cross-Cultural Engagement.
Philosophy Degree Program Admissions and Aid
Earning a philosophy bachelor’s degree at Asbury is an investment in your future. With nearly all undergraduate students receiving some form of financial aid and all applicants receiving a guaranteed GPA scholarship, Asbury students are sure to earn a degree of value. Check out the financial aid programs and scholarships available at Asbury.
If you’re ready to realize your potential as a philosophy major, learn everything you need to know about Asbury admissions, from requirements to deadlines.
Apply to the B.A. in Philosophy Program at Asbury University
The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy degree program teaches students what it means to be a truly discerning, worldly, change-making problem solver. If you want to learn more about how to study philosophy alone or as a dual degree, contact admissions for more information.
See Asbury’s offerings for yourself by scheduling a campus visit. Or, apply online today.