Examine Fundamental Beliefs About the World
Become an innovative and logical thinker with a wide range of marketable skills — from rational analysis and analytical thinking to critical inquiry and logical problem-solving.
Through the in-depth study of life’s fundamental questions, students taking courses in the Department of Philosophy will grow as individuals while preparing for many professional fields. Our majors examine , such as logic, epistemology, political theory and religion. They may also explore ethics and debate moral dilemmas in medicine, business, the environment, public policy and law.
Graduates from our department often continue their education with graduate degrees in philosophy, law or medicine.
Explore Our Programs
The Department of Philosophy offers two BA programs: Philosophy and Ethics and Leadership (Interdisciplinary). The department also offers three minors: Legal Studies, Philosophy and Professional Ethics. Students immersed in our majors and minors will gain transferrable life skills such as rational analysis, critical thinking and problem-solving.
Two Things Philosophy Majors Need
Explore your options — classes, internships, research and study abroad. Use the degree plan to find what interests you, discover what you love, and create a major experience that jumpstarts your future.
Interaction with Instructors
Our faculty are treasures troves of knowledge, and their insights reach far beyond their classroom teaching. Students can connect with our Department Chair, Dr. Mark Cherry, Dr. Jack Musselman or Dr. Peter A. Wake.
Additional Information
The four career counselors in the Career and Professional Development office (Moody Hall 134, phone 512-448-8530) can help you find an internship that works for you! Your skills as a philosophy major--i.e. critical and analytical reasoning to provide clear and compelling arguments--are in demand by non-profits, for-profits and government employers. So, go to Moody Hall 134 and talk to a career counselor to get an internship. After that, go talk to your philosophy faculty about how that internship can become a philosophy course under their supervision.
Juniors and seniors majoring in either Philosophy or Religious and Theological Studies may receive the Lillian Cervenka Scholarship and Arthur Kinsella Scholarship. These two departments alternate every other year giving this scholarship and recipients are selected by the faculty in Philosophy or the faculty in Religious and Theological Studies. Recipients are announced at St. Edward's University Honors Night.
- : take and then .
- ​: the main U.S. organization for philosophers
- : a Facebook page of articles, news, editorials and cartoons
- : a magazine of ideas
- : professional philosophers share interesting articles
Two alumni have been Fulbright scholars and many others have been admitted to graduate studies at American University, Baylor University, Boston College, Brandeis University, DePaul University, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS, Paris), École Normale Supérieure (ENS, Paris), Emory University, Harvard University, the University of Houston, the University of Kansas, Louisiana State University, Loyola Marymount University, the University of Missouri, Loyola University, the New School for Social Research, University of Northern Colorado, the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po, Paris), University of Pennsylvania, Purdue University, Stanford University, St. Mary's University, the University of Texas, Texas State University, Texas Tech University, Texas Women's University, University of the Arts (Berlin), Williams College and William and Mary.
Our alumni work as and police officers and philosophy and , as and and and , as employees for and and as K-12 and social workers and as USDA Forest Service firefighters, and one of our alumni is the in Utah.
Philosophy is an intriguing discipline that uses logic and reason to analyze the world and ourselves. Students of philosophy bring critical and creative thinking, ethical reasoning, and uncommon wisdom to any career they choose. Here's a list of helpful resources that gives you an overview of the many benefits of majoring in philosophy.
- Study to , to get a score, and a .
- The importance of philosophy today: , by Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times
- John Cleese:
- Philosophy's role in shaping leaders: , by David Brendel, The Harvard Business Review
- How philosophy helps in business: , by Carolyn Gregoire, The Huffington Post
- And don't just take it from professors on campus. The website spells out all the reasons to become a lover of wisdom.
- Even the thinks majoring in philosophy is well worth it.
- And here is a to hang on your wall — unless you’d rather just read .
Skeptical about all these claims?
Excellent! You’re ready to be a philosophy major! And don't just take our word for it. Ask members of our faculty and staff — Professor of English (and lawyer), Professor of French (and Department Chair) Philippe Seminet, Professor of University Studies Cory Lock, and Vice President of Admission Tracy Manier — if their BA in Philosophy degrees have enhanced their life and work. They’re sure to tell you it helped them prepare for careers and more.
Don’t hesitate to contact our faculty in the Philosophy Department for more information!
SEU to You
Associate Professor of Philosophy Jack Musselman explores the political, ethical and moral trade-offs of living greener in the 21st century in this overview of his Environmental Ethics course.
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Room 414