Philosophy - B.A. Download to print

The Bachelor of Arts 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?" and "What kind of life should I live?"  Our students read, discuss, and analyze texts from all of the traditional philosophical areas of study and historical periods, become familiar with contemporary schools of though, and learn about the application of philosophy to other disciplines and professions.  We familiarize students not only with the Western philosophical tradition, but also with schools of thought from a broad spectrum of non-Western cultures.  A Philosophy major provides intensive training in argumentative writing, careful reading, and critical thinking, while also broadening students' intellectual, cultural, and personal horizons.
 

Majoring in Philosophy will help prepare you for success, regardless of what your career goals are.  Students majoring in philosophy develop skills attractive to a broad range of potential employers.  They receive intensive training in critical thinking and argumentation skills, careful reading and analysis of texts, argumentative writing, evaluating and responding to arguments in both written and oral form, and global literacy.  These important skills are vital in today's job market, and no job seeker can afford to be without them.  Our 36-credit-hour major makes it easy for students to choose one or more complementary minors, depending on their career interests.  Particularly with an appropriate companion minor, Philosophy majors are very well-prepared for a wide range of careers, including law, business, medicine, education, writing, editing, and social work.

Interested in a Career in Law or Government? Recent studies show that, as a group, Philosophy majors outperform many other majors and all government and prelaw majors on the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test)! (Source: Philip Handwerk, LSAC Data Services, Law Services Admission Council)

Interested in a Career in Business? Recent studies show that, as a group, Philosophy majors outperform economics majors and all other business majors on the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)!

Interested in Graduate Studies? Recent studies show that, as a group, Philosophy majors outperform most other majors and all business, pre-law, and liberal arts majors on the GRE (Graduate Records Exam)! Philosophy was the only major of 57 reported to score a mean 5.0 on the Analytical Writing section of the exam. (Source: GRE Guide to use of Scores, 2007-08, Educational Testing Service)

 

General Admissions for Freshman Students: Admission Requirements at the Kent Campus: The freshman admission policy at the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon the following: cumulative grade point average, ACT and/or SAT scores, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends.

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. For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for new freshmen.

General Admissions for Transfer Students: Generally, a transfer applicant who has taken 12 or more semester hours with a college cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale may be admitted. An applicant who has taken fewer than 12 semester hours will be evaluated on both collegiate and high school records. For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for transfer students..
 

Minimum 120 total credit hours and 42 upper-division hours for graduation. Minimum 2.000 GPA overall and 2.000 GPA in major required for graduation.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Articulate and defend their own point of view.

2. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of selected figures in the history of philosophy and of selected areas of philosophical inquiry.

3. Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the history of philosophy.

4. Practice philosophy’s critical skills in their writing.

Philosophy students are encouraged to participate in the Kent State University study abroad programs.  Further, philosophy students are encouraged to participate in WPNI – in Washington D.C., and the Columbus Program.  
 

Philosophy Club (Dead Philosophers Society)

Philosophy (M.A.)