Philosophy

Career potential

Philosophy is the exploration of the ideas that shape laws, culture, history, politics and values. A philosophy degree from the University of North Texas is a solid foundation for areas that also generally require advanced degrees, such as the study of law, public administration and theology. Many undergraduates who plan to study at seminaries to become ministers or rabbis graduate with philosophy and religion studies degrees.

A major in philosophy will provide you with a strong liberal arts background and will help you develop analytical skills and problem-solving abilities that are extremely useful in various settings. Many corporations hire liberal arts graduates for formal training programs.

To teach philosophy at the college level, you will need a master's or doctoral degree. Many people with advanced philosophy degrees specialize in the study of ethics, helping government and other organizations wrestle with legal, medical or business decisions involving moral dilemmas.

UNT's Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies, and interview preparation.

Majoring in philosophy

UNT has a complete program of study in the history of Western philosophy as well as courses in religion, environmental ethics and non-Western philosophies. In addition, it provides the opportunity for you to read and appreciate classic works of Western civilization.

As a philosophy major, you will take courses in metaphysics, philosophical foundations of natural and social sciences, logic, and the history of philosophy. At the undergraduate level, the department provides a traditional program emphasizing the history of philosophy. Courses inspire you to think about the themes of truth, beauty, goodness and wisdom.

The philosophy faculty members are outstanding teachers and scholars, including four leading authorities on environmental ethics. Faculty members have written hundreds of books and articles on philosophy, and some are considered national experts on various philosophical topics.

Philosophy students are eligible for the John C. Creuzot Scholarship, which provides $500 per semester ($1,000 annually). The award continues from semester to semester as long as the recipient makes satisfactory progress toward the philosophy degree. To apply, you should submit a letter describing your philosophical interests, provide a writing sample (such as a paper from a philosophy class), and include three letters of recommendation, two of which must be from faculty members in UNT's philosophy department.

The John Kimmey Memorial Scholarship, a one-time award of $500, is given to a student selected by the department to be honored in each spring at Honors Day. All philosophy students are automatically considered. No application is required.

Getting hands-on experience

Upon completion of 12 semester hours at UNT with at least a 2.5 GPA, you may work in a job related to your major through UNT's Cooperative Education and Internships office. You may earn academic credit and money and gain valuable work experience. More than 1,800 employers work with the office to provide excellent learning opportunities.

Preparing for UNT

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

• English … 4 years
• Math … 4 years
• Social science - economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
• Science … 3 years
• Foreign language … 3 years
• Fine arts … 1 year

You need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.

As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor/ advisor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Charting your path with academic advising

Faculty members in the Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies will help you each semester to select the courses you will need to earn your degree. The department office is in the Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building, Room 225.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.