Program Overview
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
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.
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:
Asbury University’s philosophy program is informed by the college’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.
In addition to opportunities to research and practice philosophy hands-on through independent study, Asbury University offers philosophy majors 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, 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 majors at Asbury will refine their curiosity and analytical skills, learn how to form and investigate questions and extend their ability to clearly articulate their findings. Through learning and practicing methods to solve complex problems, graduates of the program have progressed to study at the graduate level or begun a fulfilling professional life.
In five required core courses and a student-driven selection of 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:
Apart from requirements in classical schools of thought and methods, the flexibility of the degree requirements allows students to study abroad, pursue a second major or refine a particular focus in their academic journey.
Each course in the philosophy program is designed to broaden a student’s perspective. A complete education engages in many dialogues and gives students the tools to define their personal beliefs and principles.
Courses you may choose to take as a philosophy major include:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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