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Philosophy Department
Socrates
Rene Descartes

Faculty Web Pages
Dr. Richard Findler, Chair
Dr. Andrew Colvin Dr.Bernard D. Freydberg Dr. William H. Oman Dr. Bradley E. Wilson

What can you do with a Philosophy Major?

Why Philosophy Makes Good Sense:
The New York Times business section (Dec. 26, 1997) carried an article about how the philosophy degree pays off in life and in work. "In an age of M.B.A.s and computer scientists, more than 4,000 American college students graduate each year with a bachelor's degree in the ancient discipline. Sometimes their parents and friends wonder what will happen to them. One thing is certain: Not many of them will go on to make a living as philosophers. Yet philosophy majors appear to do remarkably well. Their professional success may stem from the fact that philosophy students seem more likely than those with other degrees to attend graduate or professional school."

Hollins University

  • On the LSAT (Law), philosophers come third after mathematicians and economists;
  • On the GMAT (Management), philosophers come second after mathematicians;
  • On the GRE/Verbal, philosophers come first, just beating English (with mathematicians at 14th place);
  • On the GRE/Quantitative, philosophers come ninth, with mathematicians second to physicists.

Learning and Teaching Support Network

The Value of Philosophy
On just about everybody's list of hot skills are communication and analysis. So who has those skills? How about philosophy majors? Philosophy majors who took the Graduate Record Examination between 1990 and 1993 finished first among all fields in verbal skills, the American Philosophical Association notes. "This research confirms that training in critical and creative inquiry -- philosophical training -- is valuable not only for personal development but also for academic and career success," says Eric Hoffman, executive director of the Association.

Washington State University/Wall Street Journal

Top 10 occupations that employ person with only a bachelor's degree in philosophy
  1. Clergy and other religious workers
  2. Top- and mid-level managers, executives, administrators
  3. Artists, broadcasters, writers, editors, entertainers, public relations specialists
  4. Insurance, securities real estate, business services
  5. Sale occupations, including retail
  6. Construction trades, miners, well drillers
  7. Secretaries, receptionists, typists
  8. Other management-related occupations
  9. Other administrative (record clerks, telephone operators)
  10. Personnel, training, labor-relations specialists

CNN Money

Common Misconceptions
Philosophy students are impractical liberals.
Philosophy students can't do anything else but bicker.
Philosophy students are going to be eating out of dumpsters after graduation.

Students Review


Philosophical Links Philosophical Honors Philosophical News
Philosophy Degrees Philosophy Club

 


Information on the Liberal Studies Program supported by the Philosophy Department.

 


Staff
Carol Dickey, Secretary

E-mail Carol
Mail:
Philosophy Department
003 Spotts World Cultures
Slippery Rock Pa, 16057
Telephone:
(724) 738- 2071
Fax:
(724) 738- 2478

Department Webmistress:bjost06@sru.edu

 


Slippery Rock University . 1 Morrow Way. Slippery Rock, PA . 16057
Phone 1.800.SRU.9111