Bachelor's in

Philosophy
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Bachelor's in Philosophy

About the Philosophy Program

As a philosophy major at Slippery Rock University, you will study questions such as: What can I know? What is good? What is the relation between individuals and society? And What is ethical conduct in medicine and business? You will learn to examine critically what passes as common knowledge, to formulate logical positions on important issues and to express intelligent ideas. Because philosophical questions arise in every academic discipline, and because philosophy helps one to think carefully, to formulate logical positions on important issues, and to express ideas clearly and intelligently, philosophy is an ideal complement to every field.

What Can I Do With a Philosophy Degree?

Slippery Rock University philosophy majors have gone on to law school and graduate school, preparing them for jobs such as professors or lawyers. In fact, philosophy majors score among the highest on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), and they have one of the highest acceptance rates to law school among all majors. Do you want to get an MBA? Philosophy majors also score among the highest on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). On the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), philosophy students excel on the verbal and analytical writing section and score among the highest of all humanities majors on the quantitative section.

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Why Choose a Philosophy Degree?

  • Outstanding Faculty
    The first priority of Slippery Rock University philosophy faculty is teaching. SRU philosophy faculty have received local, national and international recognition for teaching and scholarship. Faculty members have written favorably reviewed books and articles; received awards; presented papers at international, national and regional conferences; and served on review boards for publishers and on local organizations. As a philosophy student at SRU, you will be taught by dedicated teachers as well as practicing scholars.
  • Projects and Research with Faculty
    Philosophy majors have numerous opportunities to collaborate with faculty in undergraduate research. This collaborative research opportunity is a long-standing tradition in the department and all undergraduates should seriously consider experiencing this high-impact practice.
  • Support and Guidance
    Every undergraduate is assigned an academic adviser to guide them through their program of study and help them make decisions about educational and career goals.
  • Career-related Concentration
    Students who double major in philosophy often go on to successful careers in law, medicine, science, nonprofit leadership, business, finance, government, education, journalism and other rewarding careers.
  • Critical Thinking
    Philosophy graduates are prized by employers because of their superior reasoning and creative thinking skills.
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Studying philosophy has honed my critical thinking skills to a level any English teacher could only dream of and given me a deeper appreciation for new perspectives. If your classes are anything like mine were, you will find answers to questions you didn’t realize needed asking.

Ezeck Warren ‘24
Student Alumni

Philosophy BA and Concentrations

Thinker

Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Teaches you to critically examine common knowledge, formulate well-reasoned positions on important issues, and clearly express your ideas. Our curriculum is designed to foster excellence in reading, writing, critical thinking, and ethical deliberation. The success of this approach is evident as SRU philosophy students have won more top awards at the annual statewide philosophy conference than any other university in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Catalog | Curriculum Guide
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Philosophy, BA - Concentration in Career-Related

A customizable second major designed to serve as an ideal complement to any primary field of study. This program provides a solid foundation in logic, ethics, and the history of philosophy, which strengthens the critical thinking and writing skills needed for success. By adding this major, you will gain a versatile skill set that significantly enhances your qualifications for your first major and the professional world.

Catalog | Curriculum Guide
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Philosophy - Certificate

For a listing of this program’s undergraduate certificates and related offerings, visit SRU’s official program catalog page.

Catalog | Program List


Career Outcomes

While many SRU philosophy majors will continue their education after earning their bachelor’s degree, graduates of the department have secured careers in the following areas:

  • Assistant Public Defender, Venango County
  • Assistant Counsel, Pennsylvania Legislative Reference Bureau
  • Electronic Resources Analyst, Cuyahoga Community College
  • Site Reliability Engineer, National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center
  • Math Teacher, Prince William County Schools
  • Geopolitical Analyst, Abbott • Operations Supervisor, PNC
  • Medicare Operations Consultant, Aetna Healthcare
  • Professional Development & Curriculum Coordinator, CA BOCES
  • Arabic Linguist, United States Department of Defense
  • Site Manager, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
  • Renewable Energy Researcher, Slate Consulting K.K.
  • Clinical Research Coordinator, University of Pittsburgh
  • Account Executive, WPXI-TV/Cox Media Group
  • Business Analyst, PA Department of Human Services

Internship Opportunities

SRU art students may complete internships based on their individual interests. Students have completed internships at various locations including:

  • Special Needs Art Internship, Neshannock High School, New Castle, Pennsylvania
  • Artists Image Resource
  • Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Tucor, Inc., Harmony, Pennsylvania
  • SRU’s University Communication and Public Affairs

Clubs & Organizations

  • Phi Sigma Tau - The philosophy honorary Phi Sigma Tau welcomes not only majors who have achieved academic distinction, but other students who have taken several philosophy courses and excelled
  • Philosophy Club - The SRU Philosophy Club sponsors films, trips to conferences and weekly discussions about philosophical topics. The club meets regularly giving students the opportunity to converse informally.
  • The Center for Applied and Professional Ethics (CAPE) - CAPE is housed in the SRU philosophy department and treats the central ethical issues of our lives by sponsoring events and speakers.

Resources

From application tips to academic information and support, we provide the guidance and tools you need to start strong and stay on track. Our resources are here to help you make the most of your SRU experience.

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