Learn how to think, not what to think. Florida Southern's BA in Philosophy trains you to reason rigorously, argue clearly, and engage the questions others take for granted, building the kind of portable analytical skill that opens doors to law, medicine, business, and graduate study.
What do a talented comedian like Stephen Colbert and a profound leader like Martin Luther King Jr. have in common? They both majored in philosophy.
The journey to obtain your Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy will teach you how to think, not what to think. This major encourages critical and systematic inquiry into fundamental questions of right and wrong, truth and falsehood, and the meaning of life; stimulating your mind by asking the questions that others take for granted or find too difficult to ponder. Philosophy addresses questions about the nature of reality, knowledge, and value using critical reasoning methods that develop powerful problem-solving skills, portable across virtually any career or field of graduate study.
Through discussion and debate, philosophy students uncover the hidden truths of our society. Ask the big questions: What does it mean to be human? What is knowledge? How should we conduct ourselves? And develop the abstract reasoning, critical thinking, and communication skills that open doors to law, medicine, business, education, and beyond.
All freshman applicants to Florida Southern Colleges full-time degree programs must submit the following information:
Applying to Florida Southern as a transfer student is easy. Submit:
If transferring fewer than 24 credits, also include your official high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores.
Learn More about transfer admissionsThe BA in Philosophy deals with fundamental questions about the nature of reality, knowledge, and value: Is there a God? Is the soul something different from the body? Do human beings have free will? Are there objective standards of morality? What are the grounds and limits of human knowledge?
Philosophical reasoning skills are portable and adaptable to virtually any kind of practical or theoretical problem. Coursework develops students' capacity for logic and argumentation, ethical reasoning, and systematic inquiry through discussion, debate, and written analysis. Philosophy is especially useful for students considering graduate study or career fields requiring abstract reasoning and creative problem-solving.
Honors in the Major Academically exceptional students may pursue Honors in the Major. Requirements include a minimum GPA of 3.66 in the major and a cumulative GPA of 3.5, with at least half of total coursework completed at Florida Southern College. Accepted students complete PHI 4953 and PHI 4954: Honors in Philosophy, preparing a major paper under a project director to be presented to a thesis committee in the final semester. Students should see the Religion and Philosophy department chair by the first semester of the junior year for more information.
Core areas of study include:
Philosophy students at FSC are part of an intellectually engaged community that extends well beyond the classroom. The Philosophy Club operates as a campus community forum where ideas and texts are thoroughly explored alongside fellow students who are as passionate as you are.
Eligible students may also be inducted into Phi Tau Sigma, the national honor society in philosophy.
Interested in staying connected with the Department of Religion and Philosophy? Sign up for the Religion and Philosophy Newsletter to hear about upcoming events, lecture speakers, and more.
The numbers speak for themselves. Studies by the Department of Education show that philosophy majors receive top scores on standardized tests including the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT, making the degree an exceptional foundation for graduate school in law, medicine, business, and the humanities. FSC boasts a 100% placement rate in outstanding graduate programs. And according to Payscale, philosophy majors can expect a median mid-career salary of $81,200; proof that asking the big questions pays dividends.
Philosophical reasoning skills are portable; you can adapt them to virtually any kind of practical or theoretical problem. Within six months of graduating, 98.6% of FSC students are employed or in graduate school.
Philosophy is one of the strongest pre-law majors available. The skills developed through logic, argumentation, and ethical reasoning translate directly to the demands of legal study and practice, and philosophy majors consistently score among the highest on the LSAT. FSC's 100% graduate school placement rate reflects the strength of this pathway.
Philosophy's training in ethical reasoning, systematic inquiry, and complex problem-solving makes it a natural companion to pre-medical studies. Philosophy majors score competitively on the MCAT, and the major's focus on bioethics and the philosophy of mind provides meaningful context for medical practice.
Critical thinking, abstract reasoning, and the ability to view problems from multiple perspectives are exactly what employers in business, finance, and consulting look for. FSC Philosophy graduates like Ryan Young '15, now a Finance Assistant at JBT FoodTech, demonstrate how philosophical training translates into professional success.
For students drawn to academic careers, FSC's Honors in the Major option and 100% graduate school placement rate make it an ideal launching pad for doctoral programs in philosophy, ethics, political theory, and related fields.
The ability to reason carefully, communicate clearly, and engage with complex ethical questions makes philosophy graduates well-suited for careers in education, public policy, nonprofit leadership, and government service.
"Philosophy changes your way of thinking to the point where it is impossible to not think philosophically anymore; once you begin studying it, you're going to immediately notice a difference in the complexity of the questions you ask."
Your studies are not limited to the confines of the classroom. Philosophy students are encouraged to apply their reasoning and communication skills in internships, study abroad experiences in Italy, Turkey, Greece, England, and Israel, and every conversation and debate that happens outside of class.
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At FSC, you are the focus. Our team loves connecting with prospective students to answer questions about the BA in Philosophy and explore how this degree can be a fit for your goals. Students interested in the Philosophy major should contact the Department of Religion and Philosophy.
The examined life starts here. Take your next step toward a BA in Philosophy at Florida Southern College.
