Philosophy, BA
Become a better thinker by strengthening your foundational skills, such as reading comprehension, and developing skills in reasoning and argument construction. Studying philosophy prepares you to answer moral and ethical questions that relate to a variety of careers.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accelerated MGM program options are not available to ASU Online students at this time.
Degree description
In the Bachelor of Arts program in philosophy, you learn to think well --- a skill that lays the foundation for personal and professional success.
You learn how to structure arguments, write precisely and clearly, and communicate your ideas in an orderly, persuasive and unambiguous way. Many philosophical texts are complicated, and philosophy courses teach you how to read, comprehend and summarize conceptually difficult material. In short, studying philosophy trains you to be a better, clearer thinker.
Coursework includes the major subfields of philosophy, such as metaphysics, epistemology and ethics, and electives that connect philosophy to other areas of inquiry, emphasizing the social relevance of philosophy.
In addition to reviewing the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, if you're interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, you can visit The College's website for more information and requirements.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| PHI 300 Philosophical Argument and Exposition |
| PHI 420 Topics in Philosophy |
| PHI 103 Principles of Sound Reasoning |
| PHI 401 Rationalism |
| PHI 304 Existentialism |
| PHI 313 Probability, Evidence, and Decision |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
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If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Present and defend a philosophical view using concepts, technical terminology, and methods acquired in an advanced topical seminar as well as skills in logical analysis and civil and respectful argumentation.
- Present and explain central philosophical positions from key figures in the historical development of philosophical thought, especially their metaphysical and epistemological positions.
- Evaluate how well different normative ethical theories such as consequentialism, deontology, virtue theory provide moral standards that dictate which (if any) actions are right and wrong or how well different metaethical theories such as realism, expressivism, relativism, and nihilism account for the meaning and truth of moral claims.
- Evaluate arguments for formal validity and construct formal proofs. Students will be able to capture the logical form of prose arguments.
Present and defend a philosophical view using concepts, technical terminology, and methods acquired in an advanced topical seminar as well as skills in logical analysis and civil and respectful argumentation.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Students can explore a diverse variety of cultures and philosophies through study abroad. Study abroad programs help students gain valuable skills --- such as problem-solving, communication and adaptability --- as well as cultural competence, enhancing their resumes. With more than 300 distinct programs around the globe available to them, students can tailor their study abroad experience to their interests and skill sets.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends these study abroad programs for students majoring in philosophy.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Intelligence Analyst | 34.6% | $120,230 | Learn more |
| Detective Sergeant | 0.2% | $93,790 | Learn more |
| Editor | -1.1% | $77,920 | Learn more |
| Intelligence Officer | 0.2% | $93,790 | Learn more |
| Judge | 2.8% | $153,990 | Learn more |
| Lawyer | 4.7% | $159,670 | Learn more |
| Mediator | 4.7% | $75,530 | Learn more |
| Politician | Not available | Not available | Learn more |
| Software Developer | 10.2% | $135,980 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Philosophy alumni are well prepared for leadership roles regardless of the path they take, whether in business, law, politics, medicine or education.
The analytical, rhetorical and writing skills developed through the study of philosophy provide ideal preparation for careers in a wide variety of fields, including:
- business
- education
- journalism
- law
- medicine
- public service
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch
|
COOR 4591
SHPRSadvising@asu.edu
480-965-8364
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
