Philosophy Major Requirements
The following requirements apply to majors declared during the Fall 2021 semester or thereafter. For majors declared prior to Fall 2021, see here.
The bachelors degree program in philosophy gives students an understanding of traditional philosophical subjects such as the nature and justification of moral values, religious and scientific explanations of the world, the rationality of social institutions, and the nature of reasoning and argumentation.
There are six degree options in philosophy, each of which can be completed as either a BA or as a BS degree:
- Standard Philosophy Option
- Philosophy/Pre-law Options
- Philosophy/Pre-business Option
- Philosophy/Pre-ministry Option
- Philosophy/Interdisciplinary Option
- Philosophy/Pre-med Option
Philosophy Major Core Curriculum (15 credit hours)
All Philosophy majors must take the following five courses:
| Philo 305 | Reasons Decisions and Society | (3 credit hours) |
| Philo 320 | Symbolic Logic I | (3 credit hours) |
| Philo 330 | Moral Philosophy | (3 credit hours) |
| Philo 335 | Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy | (3 credit hours) |
| Philo 346 | Grasping Reality: The Art of Analysis | (3 credit hours) |
These courses are combined with requirements specific to each of the degree options. The specific requirements for each degree option are as follows.
Standard Philosophy Option
This option is for students who are interested in a traditional liberal arts course of study. It combines the core curriculum with a flexible set of electives.
| Core Curriculum | (15 credit hours) |
| One PHILO course at any level | (3 credit hours) |
| Any 3 PHILO courses at 300 level or above | (9 credit hours) |
| Any 3 PHILO courses at 500 level or above | (9 credit hours) |
| Total Philosophy Requirements | (36 credit hours) |
Standard Double or Dual Major Option
This option is for students who wish to combine a major in philosophy with a major in another discipline (double or dual major). Each student completing a degree under this option must have a faculty advisor in the Department of Philosophy who supervises the student’s program.
| Core Curriculum | (15 credit hours) |
| One PHILO course at any level | (3 credit hours) |
| Any 1 PHILO course at 300 level or above | (3 credit hours) |
| One PHILO 680 Independent Study | (3 credit hours) |
| Completion of another major at Kansas State University | N/A |
| Total Philosophy Requirements | (24 credit hours) |
Philosophy Pre-Law Options
While no one major is given preference by law school admission boards, law schools recognize the value of philosophy for refining skills in expression, comprehension, and critical thinking. According to the Pre-Law Handbook, ‘‘the free and spirited consideration of philosophical questions is almost the model for legal training.’’
The Department offers two degree options:
Single Major Philosophy Pre-Law Option
| Core Curriculum | (15 credit hours) |
| One PHILO course at any level | (3 credit hours) |
| Any 3 PHILO courses at 300 level or above | (9 credit hours) |
| Any 2 PHILO course at 500 level or above | (6 credit hours) |
| One PHILO 535 Philosophy of Law | (3 credit hours) |
| Total Philosophy Requirements | (36 credit hours) |
Double or Dual Major Philosophy Pre-Law Option
| Core Curriculum | (15 credit hours) |
| One PHILO course at any level | (3 credit hours) |
| One PHILO 680 Independent Study | (3 credit hours) |
| One PHILO 535 Philosophy of Law | (3 credit hours) |
| Completion of another major at Kansas State University | N/A |
| Total Philosophy Requirements | (24 credit hours) |
Philosophy Pre-Business Options
The pre-business option is for students who plan to do graduate work leading to a master’s in business administration. This program has been developed in accordance with the results of surveys in professional business journals that rate this type of program as an excellent preparation for careers in business leadership.
The Department offers two degree options:
Single Major Philosophy Pre-Business Option
| Core Curriculum | (15 credit hours) |
| One PHILO course at any level | (3 credit hours) |
| Any 2 PHILO courses at 300 level or above | (6 credit hours) |
| Any 3 PHILO course at 500 level or above | (9 credit hours) |
| One PHILO 390 Business Ethics | (3 credit hours) |
| Total Philosophy Requirements | (36 credit hours) |
Double or Dual Major Philosophy Pre-Business Option
| Core Curriculum | (15 credit hours) |
| One PHILO course at any level | (3 credit hours) |
| One PHILO 680 Independent Study | (3 credit hours) |
| One PHILO 390 Business Ethics | (3 credit hours) |
| Completion of another major at Kansas State University | N/A |
| Total Philosophy Requirements | (24 credit hours) |
Philosophy Pre-Ministry Option
This is a nonsectarian program designed for students who are interested in the religious ministry as a profession. Students will be advised on other courses outside philosophy recommended by most American schools of theology.
Single Major Philosophy Pre-Ministry Option
| Core Curriculum | (15 credit hours) |
| One PHILO course at any level | (3 credit hours) |
| Any 3 PHILO courses at 300 level or above | (9 credit hours) |
| Any 2 PHILO course at 500 level or above | (6 credit hours) |
| One PHILO 615 Philosophy of Religion | (3 credit hours) |
| Total Philosophy Requirements | (36 credit hours) |
Double or Dual Major Philosophy Pre-Ministry Option
| Core Curriculum | (15 credit hours) |
| One PHILO course at any level | (3 credit hours) |
| One PHILO 680 Independent Study | (3 credit hours) |
| One PHILO 615 Philosophy of Religion | (3 credit hours) |
| Completion of another major at Kansas State University | N/A |
| Total Philosophy Requirements | (24 credit hours) |
Philosophy Pre-Medicine Options
While no one major is given preference by medical schools and related post-graduate programs, their admission committees recognize philosophy as a valuable primary or secondary major. In fact, surveys indicate that nationally, philosophy graduates have some of the highest acceptance rates at medical schools. Students in this program will be advised to supplement their education with an important science component.
The Department offers two degree options.
Single Major Philosophy Pre-Medicine Option
| Core Curriculum | (15 credit hours) |
| One PHILO course at any level | (3 credit hours) |
| Any 2 PHILO courses at 300 level or above | (6 credit hours) |
| Any 3 PHILO course at 500 level or above | (9 credit hours) |
| One PHILO 365 Medical Ethics | (3 credit hours) |
| Total Philosophy Requirements | (36 credit hours) |
Double or Dual Major Philosophy Pre-Medicine Option
| Core Curriculum | (15 credit hours) |
| One PHILO course at any level | (3 credit hours) |
| One PHILO 680 Independent Study | (3 credit hours) |
| One PHILO 365 Medical Ethics | (3 credit hours) |
| Completion of another major at Kansas State University | N/A |
| Total Philosophy Requirements | (24 credit hours) |