Shape the Future by Embracing the Intellectual Heritage of Philosophy
Chance to Share Her Opinion, Hear Others
"I absolutely love being a philosophy major. We may not be as big as the other majors, but we are very outspoken! I love that my classes are small enough for my opinion to be heard, but also big enough for me to hear another point of view from someone else."
Sloan K. Dantzler, Class of 2015, Philosophy major with a minor in Communications Media
Through the ages, philosophy has shaped our intellectual heritage with creative, disciplined thought. Philosophers such as Descartes and Bacon greatly influenced the scientific revolution, and the political writings of Locke and Rousseau were an inspiration to America's founders. Philosophical ideas inform contemporary thought on everything from justice and inequality to the nature of consciousness and questions of legal interpretation.
Studying philosophy will open your mind and sharpen your ability to think and express complicated ideas.
Why Study Philosophy?
A survey of employers conducted by the Association of American Colleges and Universities found that "the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing" and "critical thinking and analytical reasoning" are the most important skills employers are looking for in potential employees.
Philosophy trains you in these highly marketable skills that the worlds of business, finance, law, and education crave: effective communication, critical thinking, analysis, and practical reasoning skills. The methods of philosophy apply to any domain and help cultivate skills transferable to any career.
Comments from our alumni illustrate what studying philosophy meant to them.
The World Needs Philosophy Majors
Philosophy drives the discussion in many critical areas of society, proving that this demanding, rigorous area of study has many profound and practical uses. Every day, educators, attorneys, and politicians debate pressing questions of policy using the distinctive methods of philosophy.
Expected Outcomes with an Undergraduate Degree in Philosophy
The study of philosophy prepares you for many career choices by helping you develop a capacity for keen, clear thoughta skill that is always in demand. The ability to reason and bring a critical, open mind to every aspect of daily life is another benefit. Philosophy may also prepare you for graduate studies, or motivate you toward a law degree. Even a minor in this area brings rich rewards when intertwined with another major.
- Abundant career choice is the result of the profound, interdisciplinary nature of philosophy.
- Open-mindedness and comfort with reasoned debates help you relate to other perspectives and spheres of thought, in and out of the workplace.
- Intellectual stimulation and curiosity are enhanced by the reflective practices of philosophy.
The IUP Difference
Placement Success.The faculty has an impressive track record assisting philosophy students with letters of recommendation to gain entry to excellent law schools and master's and doctoral programs, such as those our alumni are attending.
Expansive Teaching Method. A diverse range of teaching interests guarantees that your study of philosophy will be deep, wide, and inspiring.
Mastery of Standardized Tests. Philosophy teaches the types of skills inherent in standardized tests. This is another reason why philosophy majors typically do extraordinarily well when testing for graduate, business, and law school entry.