Philosophy, BA
As a Philosophy major, you’ll train to understand and to respond both critically and creatively to philosophical problems, theories, and arguments.
You’ll investigate fundamental questions that have puzzled human beings for ages, such as:
- What do we know and how do we know it?
- What is morally right and how should we live?
- What is the nature of the human mind and self?
- Is there a God and how might human beings know about God?
- What is the ideal form of government?
- What is the ultimate nature of reality?
Because of the vigorous critical thinking you’ll enjoy in a philosophy class, the study of philosophy prepares you for a wide range of careers, including law, business, medicine, and journalism.
Your Degree Plan
The Philosophy curriculum includes instruction in:
- Logic
- Ethics
- Social-political philosophy
- Philosophy of law
- Theory of knowledge
- Philosophy of science
- Continental philosophy
- Metaphysics
- History of ancient and modern philosophy
- Philosophy of religion
Philosophy is an excellent major to pair with another discipline. Many students double-major in political science, psychology, neuroscience, economics, math, business, and education.
Introduction to Western Civilization 1
HUM 101
Presents the high points of Greco-Roman and Medieval European civilizations: their art, architecture, philosophy, religion, literature and music.
Humanities of Greece
HUM 112
Presents the art, architecture, philosophy, religion, literature, and history of Greece.
The Humanities of Egypt
HUM 107
This course will focus on the cultural history of Egypt from ancient until modern times.
Problems of Philosophy
PHIL 100
An elementary examination of such philosophical problems as the mind-body problem, the existence of God, freedom and determinism, and the nature of persons and their knowledge.
Introduction to Ethics
PHIL 120
Topics include the nature of the good life, whether ethics is relative or there are universal moral truths, the relationship between self- interest and morality, virtues and vices, and the nature of right and wrong.
History of Modern Philosophy
PHIL 248
A study of selected writings by major philosophers of the Western world from Descartes to Kant.
3+3 Law Program
This major is eligible for the 3+3 Law Degree Program that allows qualified students to earn a bachelor’s degree and law degree in 6 years instead of 7 years.
Honors
Expand your curiosity and enhance your curriculum through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations and Honors in Action.
The WVU Difference
What sets this program apart?
- Guest lectures by notable philosophers.
- Coffee Hour events (informal discussions of philosophical topics).
- THE QUESTION, a project that encourages thinking, learning, and asking more questions.
- The Department of Philosophy hosts several conferences, including a national undergraduate philosophy conference and the Mid-Atlantic Philosophy of Language Workshop.
- SpeakWrite Certified Major automatically fulfills the WVU General Education Foundations writing and communication skills requirement.
- Earn academic credit through Eberly internship courses.
- 500+ scholarships awarded annually by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
- Academic Enrichment Program offers funding for activities that complement, extend, and enhance your academic experience.
Learn by Doing
Get involved outside the classroom.
Philosophers use techniques that can be applied to almost any subject, so the possibilities for philosophical research are nearly endless. No matter your interests, studying philosophy will help you to develop the critical thinking skills that will get you started on uncovering what you want to know.
Our accomplished professors conduct research and teach on a diverse range of subjects, including military ethics, conscientious objection in healthcare, the problem of consciousness, distributive justice, free will, moral and legal responsibility, logic and paradoxes, and the rationality of belief in God, along with many other topics.
View all of the student organizations you can join.
Careers and Outcomes
How does this degree prepare students for a career?
Lawyers
Median Salary: $151,160
Possible Job Titles: Attorney, Attorney General, Counsel, Lawyer
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
May Require Graduate Degree
Median Salary: $156,210
Possible Job Titles: District Court Judge, Judge, Magistrate, Superior Court Judge
Sales Managers
Has a Bright Outlook
Median Salary: $138,060
Possible Job Titles: District Sales Manager, Sales Director, Sales Manager, Sales Vice President (Sales VP)
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
Median Salary: $54,980
Possible Job Titles: Abstractor, Title Examiner, Title Officer, Title Searcher
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Median Salary: $61,010
Possible Job Titles: Legal Assistant, Legal Clerk, Paralegal, Paralegal Specialist
Public Relations Specialists
Has a Bright Outlook
Median Salary: $69,780
Possible Job Titles: Communications Specialist, Public Affairs Specialist, Public Information Officer, Public Relations Specialist (PR Specialist)
Where our graduates work
Our alumni work in the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for Google, and as surgeons, professors, dentists, bioethicists, and business owners, among many other professions.
Areas of graduate study
Many students have use Philosophy as a gateway to law school.
Recent alumni entered graduate programs at Harvard Law School, the University of Virginia Law School, Johns Hopkins Medical School, WVU College of Law and more.
Philosophy majors are eligible for the 3+3 Program with the WVU College of Law.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Philosophy major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.
Tuition and Aid
How much does Philosophy at WVU cost? And how can you save?
Tuition and Fees
Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.
Ways to Save
Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.
Financial Aid
The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Philosophy, BA is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
Ohio Tuition Reciprocity
As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Philosophy can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.
Start at Another WVU Campus
You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.
Transfer Articulation Agreements
To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.
Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.
Request Info
Want to know more about Philosophy at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.
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