Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Philosophy > Program Requirements

Major Requirements

In order to major in philosophy, a student must complete at least 30 credit hours in philosophy, including the following:

• PHIL127 Introduction to Philosophy
• PHIL 137 Introduction to Language and Logic
• PHIL 147 Introduction to the History of Philosophy: Socrates to Aquinas
• PHIL 157 Introduction to the History of Philosophy: Descartes to Sartre
• PHIL 267 Ethics
• PHIL 477 Research in Philosophy

In addition, the student shall indicate satisfactory performance on the department's comprehensive graduation requirement which includes a thesis and an oral examination on the thesis.

Philosophy Minor Requirements

In order to minor in philosophy, a student must complete at least 18 credit hours in philosophy, including the following:

• PHIL 127 Introduction to Philosophy
• PHIL 137 Introduction to Language and Logic
• PHIL 147 Introduction to the History of Philosophy: Socrates to Aquinas
  or
  PHIL 157 Introduction to the History of Philosophy: Descartes to Sartre
• PHIL 267 Ethics

Plus any two 200-level or higher courses.

Ethics Minor Requirements

The Interdisciplinary Ethics Minor prepares students for ethical leadership and responsibility in a wide variety of professional settings. The expanding field of applied ethics affords opportunities for entry-level employment and also rewards advanced graduate work (in law, medicine, and business, as well as politics and government.). This series of courses explores the interdisciplinary nature of ethics while strengthening critical thinking and analytic writing.  It ensures a theoretical understanding of ethics along with case studies and internship experience resolving concrete ethical dilemmas.  A commitment to strengthening these transferrable skills provides leverage and qualitative capital in the pursuit of professional positions.

There is a growing need for expertise in applied ethics, in both the public and private arena. Many corporations engage in workplace ethics training and therefore prize applicants who can assist in conflict resolution or who can analyze various conflicts of interest. Ethics boards exist in most mid-sized and larger medical institutions.  While the quantity of full-time ethics officers is growing, many organizations employ ethics compliance officers who also fulfill other duties. This minor positions our students for such positions.

The minor in ethics must pass both of the following courses with a C- or better:

• PHIL 267 Ethics
• PHIL 3XX Advanced Ethical Theory (In preparation)

The Student must pass, additionally, four courses from among the following. At least two of these must be outside the philosophy department, or cross-listed:

• PHIL 387 Medical Ethics
• PHIL 297 Environmental Ethics
• PHIL 277/ BADM 364 Business Ethics
• CJS 431 Ethical/Philosophical Issues in Criminal Justice
• COMM 325 Communication Ethics
• REL 200 Contemporary Ethics