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Philosophy, B.A.

The mission of ΘνΓΓΙη's Department of Philosophy is to provide a philosophical education appropriate to Catholic and Jesuit education goals. This goal is rooted in the fundamental Catholic belief that all human experience reveals and speaks to the existence and nature of God and the dignity and value of all human beings in themselves and as members of the human community.

The department strives to provide an excellent introduction to the discipline and practice of philosophy. The ΘνΓΓΙη faculty seeks to build up in students the ability to understand, explain and evaluate lines of reasoning; to foster a reflective moral life; and to educate them on the history of philosophy, contemporary philosophical debate and the Catholic heritage. The faculty nurtures in each student a philosophical habit of mind, an appreciation for the Western philosophical tradition, a spirit of intellectual inquiry and a lifelong desire for wisdom.

Curriculum Overview

The Department of Philosophy in ΘνΓΓΙη's College of Arts and Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy that provides students with a solid foundation in critical philosophical thinking while leaving significant room to focus on their interests in philosophy.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

The department offers a wide range of opportunities for philosophical exchange and dialogue, both within the intellectual community of the University and with the broader philosophical community. These opportunities include visiting scholars, departmental colloquia, the annual Wade Memorial Lecture, various conferences, reading groups and graduate student talks.

  • Students can get to know other philosophy majors through the Philosophy Club.
  • The Vatican Microfilm Library, located on campus, is the finest resource in the United States for medieval and Renaissance studies research.
  • The Department of Philosophy has an internationally regarded journal.

Careers

The benefits of ΘνΓΓΙη's philosophy program include several career opportunities. Students who pursue a degree in philosophy at ΘνΓΓΙη will find themselves well-prepared for many career options. Philosophy provides, for example, excellent training for those interested in pursuing professional degrees in law, business or medicine.

Not only do philosophy majors at ΘνΓΓΙη excel on entrance exams for professional programs, but the analytical and communication skills they develop in their philosophical studies are essential for their future success in these programs. The study of philosophy is excellent preparation for any career that focuses on clarity, concision and analytic reasoning.

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

ΘνΓΓΙη also accepts the Common Application.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any ΘνΓΓΙη undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test.Μύ

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit mustΜύsubmit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of ΘνΓΓΙη. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

  • Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
  • Proof of financial support must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at ΘνΓΓΙη
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Year
Undergraduate Tuition $54,760

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a ΘνΓΓΙη education:

  • Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
  • Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

ΘνΓΓΙη makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

  1. Graduates will be able to synthesize knowledge of two different periods of Western philosophy.
  2. Graduates will be able toΜύcorrectly employ principles of logical reasoning in philosophical analysis.
  3. Graduates will be able toΜύanalyze and defend a philosophical position on a philosophical problem.
  4. Graduates will be able toΜύgather sources relevant to a philosophical problem.
  5. Graduates will be able toΜύinterpret sources relevant to a philosophical problem.
  6. Graduates will be able toΜύsynthesize sources relevant to a philosophical problem.

Philosophy students must complete a minimum total of 30 creditsΜύfor the major.

University Undergraduate Core32-35
Major Requirements
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ1050Introduction to Philosophy: Self and Reality3
΄Η°ωΜύ°δ°ΏΈι·‘Μύ1700 Ultimate Questions: Philosophy
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ2050Ethics3
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4040Symbolic Logic3
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4880Senior Inquiry: Project3
History of Philosophy Requirement
Choose two courses with the History of Philosophy attributes, such as:6
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4400
History of Ancient Greek Philosophy
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4500
Medieval Philosophy
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4600
History of Modern Philosophy
Philosophy Electives
Two courses must be at the 4000 level12
General Electives55-58
Total Credits120

Continuation Standards

Students must have a GPA of 2.00 in philosophy major coursework to be retained in the major.

Philosophy ElectivesΜύ

±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ3250
Philosophy of Religion
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ3300
Philosophy of the Human Person
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ3360
Medical Ethics
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ3380
Business Ethics
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ3400
Ethics & Engineering
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ3420
Environmental and Ecological Ethics
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ3430
Philosophy of Law
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ3450
Disaster Narratives
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ3480
Jewish Life: Bible to Middle Ages
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ3490
Jewish Life: Middle Ages to Modern Times
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ3510
Philosophy in Film
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ3600
Science and Religion
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ3910
Internship
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ3930
Special Topics
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ3980
Independent Study
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4040
Symbolic Logic
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4090
Topics in Advanced Logic
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4120
Topics in Epistemology
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4150
Philosophy of Science
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4160
Philosophy and Physics
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4190
Gender and Science
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4210
Topics in Metaphysics
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4260
Philosophy of Mind
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4280
Biology and Mind
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4310
Topics in Ethics
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4320
Feminism and the History of Ethics
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4350
Survey of Social and Political Philosophy
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4400
History of Ancient Greek Philosophy
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4500
Medieval Philosophy
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4570
Latin Paleography
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4600
History of Modern Philosophy
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4720
Topics Continental Philosophy
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4740
Philosophy of Karl Marx
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4750
Latin American Philosophy
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4760
Spanish Philosophy
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4800
Topics and Movements in Contemporary Philosophy
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4810
Philosophy of Feminism
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4820
Philosophy and Race
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4840
Catholic Social Thought
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4850
Topics in Philosophical Anthropology
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4910
Internship
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4930
Special Topics
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4980
Advanced Independent Study

Graduation Requirements

  • Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
  • Complete the University Undergraduate Core curriculum requirements.
  • Complete major requirements: minimum of 30 credits required.
  • Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
  • Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s), and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate or related elective credits.
  • Complete department- and program-specific academic and performance requirements.
  • Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through ΘνΓΓΙη or an approved study-abroad program.
  • Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through ΘνΓΓΙη or an approved study-abroad program.
  • Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollmentΜύunless otherwise noted. Μύ

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Μύ
Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
°δ°ΏΈι·‘Μύ1700 Ultimate Questions: Philosophy 3
COREΜύ1000 Ignite First Year Seminar 2-3
COREΜύ1500 Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community 1
COREΜύ1900 Eloquentia Perfecta 1: Written and Visual Communication 3
COREΜύ1200 Eloquentia Perfecta 2: Oral and Visual Communication 3
General Electives 3
ΜύCredits15-16
Spring
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ2050 Ethics (meets Core β€œDignity, Ethics, & Just Society” attribute requirement) 3
COREΜύ2800 Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression 2-3
COREΜύ3200 Ways of Thinking: Quantitative Reasoning 3
COREΜύ1600 Ultimate Questions: Theology 3
General Electives 4
ΜύCredits15-16
Year Two
Fall
PHIL 4080Symbolic Logic 3
COREΜύ3800 Ways of Thinking: Natural and Applied Sciences 3
COREΜύ3400 Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture 3
COREΜύ2500 Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation 0
General Electives 6
ΜύCredits15
Spring
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4400 History of Ancient Greek Philosophy 3
COREΜύ3600 Ways of Thinking: Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
General Electives 9
ΜύCredits15
Year Three
Fall
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4500 Medieval Philosophy 3
PHIL 3350Philosophy and Good Life 3
COREΜύ4000 Collaborative Inquiry 2-3
General Electives 7
ΜύCredits15-16
Spring
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ3250 Philosophy of Religion 3
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4160 Philosophy and Physics 3
General Electives 9
ΜύCredits15
Year Four
Fall
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4210 Topics in Metaphysics 3
COREΜύ3500 Cura Personalis 3: Self in the World 1
General Electives 11
ΜύCredits15
Spring
±Κ±α±υ³’Μύ4880 Senior Inquiry: Project 3
General Electives 12
ΜύCredits15
ΜύTotal Credits120-123

Students can complete all or part of the B.A. in philosophy at ΘνΓΓΙη’s campus in Madrid.Μύ

Learn More

2+ΘνΓΓΙη programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution.Μύ