03/18/2025
Philosophy majors may learn to think critically, identify and evaluate arguments, and engage in moral and ethical reasoning.
Through a four-year academic degree, philosophy majors may learn to confront questions about free will, morality, human nature, religion and much more.
Philosophy majors may have opportunities with faculty to collaborate and develop their senior thesis topic. Philosophy majors can apply their skills in business, law, fine arts, and education.
Preparing for a Philosophy Degree
If you're interested in challenging questions and examining a diverse range of worldviews, philosophy is a major to explore. Philosophy students may develop strong critical thinking skills and learn to form well-reasoned arguments through their coursework.
Studying philosophy may be relevant to academic and personal development, as classes often prompt critical thinking about course material and personal principles like ethics.
Philosophy courses can connect to a variety of disciplines, and the skills acquired may be transferable to various career paths.
Choosing the Right Philosophy Program
A bachelor’s degree in philosophy may pair well with a second major or minor in a variety of disciplines, such as biological sciences, law, communication or even political philosophy or science.
By combining philosophy with another degree or minor, you may focus on a specific career path while still developing broadly applicable skills such as critical thinking and analysis skills or writing and research.
Coursework and Skills Development
Developing Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills
At American Public University, philosophy majors have the opportunity to explore social and political philosophy and develop strong critical thinking skills.
Philosophy courses at APU may help students cultivate critical thinking and communication skills through the study of philosophical theories and fundamental nature of human knowledge. Students may develop skills in writing clearly, arguing persuasively, and analyzing complex issues.
Admission Requirements
At American Public University, philosophy majors must have either a GED or high school diploma. There is no fee to complete the APU admission applications. Transfer credit acceptance is subject to institutional policies and evaluation. Students should review the university’s transfer credit policy for details.
Philosophy Coursework: A Deep Dive
American Public University's online Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy degree offers monthly start dates.
The program covers the history of Western philosophy, logic, moral philosophy, the philosophy of science and the foundations of modern psychology, metaphysics and epistemology.
Concentrations
At APU, philosophy majors must pick a concentration to either study the history of philosophy or society and justice. The history of philosophy concentration looks at ancient, medieval, modern, analytic, and continental and post-modern philosophy.
The society and justice concentration focuses undergraduate students on ethics and legal topics which may provide a foundation for further study in law, business, or related fields. Students may take ethics, law, bioethics, sociology of law, and choose between legal ethics or law and ethics in the business environment.
General Education Classes
Philosophy courses at APU also include general education classes in:
- Arts & Humanities
- Civics, Political & Social Sciences
- Communication
- History
- Mathematics and Applied Reasoning
- Natural Sciences
Major Required
There are also major courses required covering skills like research, analysis, and writing, introduction to philosophy, critical thinking, introduction to ethics, philosophy of science, and logic. Philosophy majors may also choose three credit hours in either contemporary issues in philosophy or metaphysics and epistemology.
General Electives
Philosophy majors may have up to 51 semester hours for electives, which can be used to explore a minor or additional coursework, subject to institutional policies. This may also be an opportunity for students to explore courses to support their minor or second major.
Final Program Requirements
The religion and philosophy capstone course is three semester hours after all other courses have been completed. The course focuses on studying important ideas or figures in philosophy and religion, as well as significant historical events. Students will use what they've learned in previous courses to analyze different philosophies, religious and philosophical texts, and beliefs. The course ends with a final project that brings together all the research.
Common Career Opportunities You Can Pursue With a Philosophy Degree
Philosophy majors can apply the skills learned during their academic career to many different fields. Skills like logic, problem-solving, communication and critical thinking are transferable skills that can be applied to writing, politics, medicine, law, and many others.
Philosophy degree graduates may pursue careers as:
- Writer
- Financial analyst
- Paralegal
- Nonprofit professional
Philosophy majors may also pursue further study in a more specialized area via graduate school or doctoral academic programs.
Next Steps for Earning Your Philosophy Degree
A philosophy degree may provide a foundation for critical thinking, analytical skills, and communication skills. These skills may be transferable to many different careers, like law, business, medicine, research, education and more.