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Philosophy - B.A.

Explore life's biggest questions with Kent State's Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy Program. Our program provides a comprehensive foundation in philosophical thought, empowering you to critically examine the world around you and engage with life's biggest questions. Enroll now and discover your own philosophical perspective.

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Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy

Kent State University’s Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy aims to cultivate critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and effective communication skills through the exploration of fundamental questions about existence, ethics, knowledge, and society. The program offers a diverse curriculum that engages students with historical and contemporary philosophical texts, encouraging them to examine diverse perspectives and tackle complex moral dilemmas. By fostering an environment of intellectual inquiry, we strive to prepare students for a variety of careers in fields such as education, law, public policy, and business, while also equipping them for lifelong learning and thoughtful engagement with the world.

Program Information for Philosophy - B.A.

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy gives students the opportunity to consider some of life's biggest questions, such as

  • What is the nature of reality?
  • What (if anything) can I know with certainty?
  • What kind of life should I live?

Philosophy students read, discuss and analyze texts from a plurality of traditional philosophical areas of study in both Western and non-Western philosophies, written by diverse philosophers. They become familiar with contemporary and historical schools of thought and learn about the application of philosophy to other disciplines and professions. The Philosophy major provides intensive training in argumentative writing, careful reading as well as critical and creative thinking, while broadening students' intellectual, cultural and personal horizons.

The flexibility of the major's curriculum allows students to combine it with other majors or minors depending on their career interests. In this way, students can tailor their educational experience to provide excellent preparation for a wide range of careers, including law, business, medicine, technology, public relations, government, journalism, education, writing, editing, communications and social work.

Admissions for Philosophy - B.A.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE Academic score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive Program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the program's Coursework tab.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Read, write and think critically and analytically.
  2. Consider and analyze differing viewpoints and various sides of an issue.
  3. Construct strong arguments and express them verbally and in writing.
  4. Think creatively and see alternative solutions to problems.
  5. Communicate effectively in both personal and professional settings.
  6. Demonstrate meaningful cultural literacy.
  7. Continue on a path of lifelong learning and inquiry, whether in graduate school or independently.
  8. Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the history of philosophy and of important contemporary questions, as well as a deeper, more specialized understanding of selected philosophical figures, issues and/or areas of inquiry.
Coursework
On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
PHIL 11001INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY (DIVG) (KHUM) 3
PHIL 21001INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS (DIVG) (KHUM) 3
PHIL 21002INTRODUCTION TO FORMAL LOGIC (KMCR) 3
or PHIL 41038 INTERMEDIATE LOGIC
PHIL 31011ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY (min C grade)3
PHIL 31012EARLY MODERN PHILOSOPHY (min C grade)3
PHIL 31013LATE MODERN PHILOSOPHY (min C grade)3
PHIL 31091PHILOSOPHERS IN DEPTH (WIC) 13
Philosophy (PHIL) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Philosophy (PHIL) Upper-Division Electives (40000 level)9
Philosophical Pluralism Elective, choose from the following (min C grade required): 23
PHIL 31002
MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY (WIC)
PHIL 31040
FEMINIST PHILOSOPHY (DIVD)
PHIL 31070
AFRICAN AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN PHILOSOPHIES (DIVD)
PHIL 31075
PHILOSOPHY AND CULTURE (DIVG)
PHIL 41091
SEMINAR IN WORLD PHILOSOPHY
PHIL 41491
SEMINAR IN ASIAN PHILOSOPHY (DIVG)
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Foreign Language (see Foreign Language College Requirement below)14-16
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning3
Kent Core Fine Arts3
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)6
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory)6-7
Kent Core Additional6
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours)39
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

2

Any course approved for elective must be upper division (30000 or 40000 level).

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
  • To fulfill the domestic diversity requirement, students must take one diversity course that is a not a Philosophy (PHIL) course.
  • Minimum C grade in all three courses of the history sequence
  • Minimum C grade in one upper-division, designated diversity course

Foreign Language College Requirement, B.A.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete 14-16 credit hours of foreign language.1
To complete the requirement, students need the equivalent of Elementary I and II in any language, plus one of the following options2:

  1. Intermediate I and II of the same language
  2. Elementary I and II of a second language
  3. Any combination of two courses from the following list:
  • Intermediate I of the same language
  • ARAB 21401
  • ASL 19401
  • CHIN 25421
  • MCLS 10001
  • MCLS 20001
  • MCLS 20091
  • MCLS 21417
  • MCLS 21420
  • MCLS 22217
  • MCLS 28403
  • MCLS 28404
1

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and fewer courses. This may be accomplished by (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level; (2) receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University; or (3) demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language. When students complete the requirement with fewer than 14 credit hours and four courses, they will complete remaining credit hours with general electives.

2

Certain majors, concentrations and minors may require specific languages, limit the languages from which a student may choose or require coursework through Intermediate II. Students who plan to pursue graduate study may need particular language coursework.

Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
PHIL 11001 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY (DIVG) (KHUM) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours13
Semester Two
PHIL 21001 INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS (DIVG) (KHUM) 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Three
PHIL 21002
or PHIL 41038
 INTRODUCTION TO FORMAL LOGIC (KMCR)
or INTERMEDIATE LOGIC
3
Foreign Language 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Four
PHIL 31091 PHILOSOPHERS IN DEPTH (WIC) 3
Foreign Language 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Five
PHIL 31011 ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY 3
Foreign Language 3
General Electives 9
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
PHIL 31012 EARLY MODERN PHILOSOPHY 3
Philosophical Pluralism Elective 3
Philosophy (PHIL) Upper-Division Elective 3
Foreign Language 3
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Seven
PHIL 31013 LATE MODERN PHILOSOPHY 3
Philosophy (PHIL) Upper-Division Electives (40000 level) 6
General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
Philosophy (PHIL) Upper-Division Elective (40000 level) 3
General Electives 12
 Credit Hours15
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
How to Declare

The Department of Philosophy is part of the College of Arts & Sciences, but a student in any college can minor (or double major) in philosophy. To declare a philosophy major or minor, students should visit the College of Arts & Sciences office in 105 Bowman Hall to fill out the necessary paperwork. New philosophy majors should also schedule an appointment with the Undergraduate Coordinator in the Department of Philosophy, who will discuss their particular interests and goals, answer their questions, and assign them a philosophy advisor.

Philosophy Is a Great Major

A Philosophy major or minor is not only an intellectually stimulating and rewarding course of study available at Kent State University, it is a great way to develop critical and creative thinking skills, an ability to read complex material with comprehension and a facility with both creative and technical writing. These are skills that today's employers are seeking and which no employee can afford to be without. With a Philosophy major or minor, you are well-prepared for a wide range of career opportunities.

Access the Philosophy Department's Guide to Career Information

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Philosophy - B.A.

Graduates of Kent State’s B.A. in Philosophy are well-prepared for a diverse array of careers that require strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Many pursue paths in law, where their ability to construct logical arguments and analyze complex texts is invaluable. Others find roles in education, public policy, ethics consulting, and nonprofit organizations, leveraging their understanding of ethical frameworks and societal issues. Additionally, the program equips graduates for careers in business, communications, and social services, making them adaptable and effective professionals in a variety of fields.

Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary

6.7%

faster than the average

30,900

number of jobs

$76,160

potential earnings

Education teachers, postsecondary

4.8%

about as fast as the average

77,300

number of jobs

$65,440

potential earnings

Lawyers

4.0%

about as fast as the average

813,900

number of jobs

$126,930

potential earnings

Social workers, all other

5.1%

faster than the average

62,500

number of jobs

$64,210

potential earnings

Public relations and fundraising managers

9.2%

much faster than the average

88,000

number of jobs

$118,430

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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