Philosophy Major
What does a philosophy major do?
A philosophy major examines and challenges the answers to basic questions about existence, religion, science and more. Philosophy majors are generally required to read challenging literature and debate topics in the classroom. Although few majors actually pursue a career path in philosophy itself, the critical thinking and problem solving skills acquired by philosophy majors are a great foundation for other career paths, like law and journalism. Philosophy majors typically perform well on graduate admissions tests, due to the reading, writing and critical thinking skills they developed as an undergraduate.
What types of jobs do philosophy majors take after graduation?
There are a variety of career paths available to philosophy majors, including:
- Journalism
- Lawyer/Paralegal
- Politician
- Professor
- Non-profit work
- Public Interest work
- Religious positions
What degrees do philosophy majors pursue?
Most philosophy majors first earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Philosophy, and may later decide to pursue a Master’s of Science in Philosophy. Some philosophy majors decide to purse a Master’s program in a specialized field, such as law or communications.
How much does a philosophy program cost?
School costs vary widely, depending on the type of school you choose and what type of program you are pursing. You can find average school costs for public philosophy colleges and private philosophy colleges in our compare colleges section.
How do I pay for a philosophy program?
Whether you are paying for an undergraduate or graduate philosophy program, it’s important that you complete the FAFSA and review your financial aid options. You should start by trying to obtain college scholarships and college grants (free money) to pay for your philosophy program. Then use federal student loans, such as the Federal Stafford Loan. If free money and federal loans are not enough to pay for your philosophy program, you can begin to research private student loans to cover the remainder of your school costs.
What is the average entry-level salary for philosophy majors?
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the entry-level salary of philosophy graduates with a bachelor's program is $41,0791.
A philosophy major probably performs well in or enjoys the following subjects:
- History
- Political Science
- Mathematics
- English
A philosophy major generally possesses the following skill sets:
- Analytical thinking/problem solving
- Reading skills
- Writing skills
- Debate skills