1. General issues and resources
Students should begin post-graduate planning well before graduation. To assist you in this task, the Undergraduate Committee in collaboration with Becky Ross of the Career Resources Center has prepared the Philosophy Major’s Career Handbook. Majors should review this helpful material. As a first step toward rational career planning, the department recommends scheduling an appointment at the Career Resource Center , opens in a new window.
A degree in philosophy can be used as an entry into many business and management positions, both in the public and private sectors, as well as for professional schools (e.g., law, journalism, business, education). But students can do many things to enhance their chances of finding a job, and a job to their liking, or admission to an appropriate professional program, by planning ahead. Planning ahead can make the transition from graduation to a job or further professional or graduate training much easier than it would otherwise be. For example, careful planning of course work in areas outside one’s major can enhance one’s ability to find a desirable position after graduation, or to gain admission to an appropriate professional school or graduate program. It may be advisable to pursue a double major, or an appropriate minor, to provide one with an advantage on the job market. There are also many internships available which students can apply to through the Career Resource Center which can provide both valuable work experience and a special relationship with a particular employer, which may enable one to find a job with that employer after graduation. In general, businesses look for applicants who have drive, enthusiasm, and initiative, and who are quick learners and open-minded. Many businesses also expect applicants to have some experience in working with computers, and look for people who work well in groups and have good organizational skills. Increasingly, businesses also look for people who are respectful of other cultures. A carefully designed schedule of courses, both in and outside of the philosophy major, can provide a good record to show that one has these qualities.
For more information on career planning, check out the Career Resource Center , opens in a new window–where you will find information on career planning workshops, expos and fairs, on-campus interviewing, and career planning classes. In particular, you may want to look into the “4:05 Career Seminar Series,” a workshop designed for students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. A presentation targeted specifically at philosophy majors is available.
2. Graduate school
Students who intend to pursue graduate studies in philosophy need to be aware that competition for the best programs is very strenuous. Some measures you can take to improve your chances are, first, to maintain a high GPA (3.5 or higher), especially in your philosophy courses, and to take more than the required minimum of 4000-level seminars. The following classes (in addition to those already required for the major) might be especially helpful by way of preparation for graduate school:
- Philosophy of Natural Science (PHI 3400)
- Metaphysics (PHI 3500)
- Philosophy of Language (PHI 4220)
- Philosophy of Mind (PHI 4320)
- Analytic Philosophy (PHP 4784)
- Ethical Theory (PHI 4662)
- Seminar in Ancient Philosophy (PHH 4141)
- Seminar in Modern Philosophy (PHH 4420)
- Seminar in a Major Philosopher (PHH 4930)
A competitive application for graduate work in philosophy will of course require a good GPA, a respectable score on the Graduate Record Examination, and a solid background in philosophy at the undergraduate level. The successful completion of a senior honors thesis would also be an advantage. There are two other factors that are quite important: the letters of recommendation and the writing sample. Having letters from faculty who have worked with you enough to be able to say something about your talents could make the difference between your application being noticed and being lost in a large pile of others, and an impressive short paper could well make the difference between acceptance and rejection. If you are serious about graduate study, you should be sure to talk with either the Undergraduate Coordinator or the Graduate Coordinator about the process, its challenges, and the strategies that may be appropriate.
3. Other professional programs
Law school. The study of philosophy is excellent preparation for various professional programs, especially, but not only, law school. It is well established that philosophy majors score very well on the LSAT as well as the GRE. Students who are pre-law , opens in a new window or studying for law-related professions may want to consider seriously the following classes:
- Symbolic Logic (PHI 3130)
- Moral Philosophy (PHI 3650)
- Ethical Theory (PHI 4662)
- Political Philosophy (PHM 3202)
- Theory of Knowledge (PHI 3300)
- Introduction to the Philosophy of Law (PHM 3400)
- The Philosophy of Law (PHM 4400)
Students considering pursuing law school after an undergraduate degree may wish to visit the American Bar Association , opens in a new window web page on preparing for law school.
Medical school. A number of philosophy majors go on to medical school. It should be noticed that it’s quite possible to earn a philosophy degree while taking those science courses that are prerequisites for medical school; you may choose to double major in philosophy and, say, biochemistry, but it is possible to complete those prerequisites without such a second major. If you are pre-med , opens in a new window or studying for medicine-related professions you may want to consider taking some of these classes:
- Moral Philosophy (PHI 3650)
- Ethical Theory (PHI 4662)
- Bioethics (PHI 3633)
- Philosophy of Natural Science (PHI 3400)
- Theory of Knowledge (PHI 3300)
- One or more courses in areas dealing with gender and life issues, such as Feminism (PHM 3123) or Existentialism (PHP 3786).
Students considering health related professions may wish to visit the Association of American Medical Colleges , opens in a new window web page.
Journalism. Students with a philosophy background may also be well suited for a professional degree in journalism. If you pursue this option, you should give serious consideration to:
- Symbolic Logic (PHI 3130)
- Introduction to the Philosophy of Law (PHM 3400)
- Moral Philosophy (PHI 3650)
- Ethics and Communication (PHI 3693 or PHM 3640)
- Theory of Knowledge (PHI 3300)
- Philosophy of Language (PHI 4330)