Philosophy, B.A.
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Program Overview
Philosophy is the study of what there is (metaphysics), what we can know (epistemology), and the nature of the good, the right, and the beautiful (ethics and aesthetics). As a philosophy major, you will learn how to sort through some of life鈥檚 greatest questions while improving your reasoning, analytic, and judgment skills. You can choose from multiple tracks in neuroscience, law, business, medical ethics, and others.
Major Details
The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2025鈥�26 academic year per the 可乐视频 Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.
Major Requirements (25鈥�38 Credits)
NYSED Program Code: 02057
Philosophy is a writing-intensive major.
You can choose from seven tracks while studying philosophy:
- Philosophy
- Philosophy and Business
- Philosophy and Neuroscience
- Philosophy, Justice, and Law
- Philosophy and Medical Ethics
- Philosophy and Other Fields
- Philosophy Honors
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Identify arguments and distinguish premises and conclusions.
- Formulate an argument in support or in opposition to a claim.
- Evaluate (by providing reasons) the validity and/or cogency of an argument.
- Apply an argument to a practical case.
- Explain a selection from a philosophical text, a philosophical theory, issue, or argument.
- Analyze and evaluate a selection from a philosophical text, a philosophical theory, issue or argument.
- Provide a reasoned response to a selection from a philosophical text, a philosophical theory, issue, or argument.
- Identify and explain a criterion used to determine what is good morally or aesthetically.
- Provide reasons in support of or in opposition to a moral/aesthetic claim.
- Apply moral/aesthetic theories/criteria to practical situations.
Career Maps
A career map provides a comprehensive breakdown to help connect your academic coursework to career readiness skills, actions, and outcomes.
Philosophy, B.A. Career Maps
Degree Maps
To help you pursue your studies in the most efficient manner, and to maximize your efforts to graduate in four years, 可乐视频 has created four-year degree maps for all its majors.
View for this major and others.
Contact
Please contact:
Department of Philosophy
3308 Boylan Hall
E:
718.951.5000 ext. 5311
or:
Matthew Moore
3300 Boylan Hall
E:
P: 718.951.5000 ext. 6879
Or contact:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
贰:听
To make an appointment with an undergraduate admissions counselor, visit:
Tracks
Philosophy
Recommended for students for whom a broad background in philosophy is desirable.
The department chair, with the approval of the chair of the department’s curriculum committee, may allow substitutions for one or more course requirements, consistent with the educational goals of our program.
Two courses in history of philosophy from the following group (1):
- 1) Philosophy or or or or or or .
One course from each of the following groups (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8):
- (2) Methods and Reasoning: Philosophy or or or
- (3) Value Theory: Philosophy or or or or
- (4) Metaphysics and Epistemology: Philosophy or or
- (5) Pluralistic Methods and Traditions: Philosophy or or or or or or or or or
- (6) Seminar: Philosophy or or or or or
- (7) Elective: Any course 3000-level or above
- (8) Philosophy or or or any course 3000-level or above
Philosophy and Business
Recommended for students planning careers in business.
The department chair, with the approval of the chair of the department’s curriculum committee, may allow substitutions for one or more course requirements, consistent with the educational goals of our program.
Philosophy and .
One course from each of the following groups, A), B), C), D), E), and F). The course chosen from each group many not be used to satisfy any other Option IV requirement.
- A) Philosophy , , , , or .
- B) Philosophy , , , , or .
- C) Philosophy , , 3121鈥�3141, or .
- D) Philosophy or .
- E) Philosophy , 3305鈥�3325, , , , , , , , , , 3910鈥�4110, or 4201鈥�5111.
- F) Philosophy or or or any course 3000-level or above
One of the following groups, either Marketing/Management or Finance:
- Marketing/Management: All of the following: Business or Psychology ; Business , , .
- Finance: Accounting and either Business or Economics .
Two of the following: Economics , [Business 3310] or Finance , [Business 3330] or Finance .
Philosophy and Neuroscience
Recommended for students planning careers in philosophy, cognitive science, AI, medicine, the arts, and for other students interested in acquiring a knowledge of the interdisciplinary relation between philosophy and neuroscience.
The department chair, with the approval of the chair of the department’s curriculum committee, may allow substitutions for one or more course requirements, consistent with the educational goals of our program.
Requirements (24 credits):
A. All of the following: PHIL , , , , ,
B. One course chosen from the following: PHIL , , , , , , , , , ,
C. One course chosen from the following: PHIL , ,
D. One of the following, (1) or (2)
(1) At least 15 credits in any selection of the following science or art courses:
- ANTH , , , ,
- ARTD , ARTD
- MUSC ,
- BIOL , , , , , (prerequisites: 1001 and 1002)
- CASD
- CISC , , /PHIL 2200
- PSYC , , , , , , , ,
- CHEM , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
- HNSC , ,
- KINS , , ,
(2) A minor in philosophy and science, or a minor in cognitive science, or a minor in philosophy of the arts, or a minor in philosophy, culture and the social sciences
Philosophy, Justice, and Law
Recommended for students planning careers involving public affairs, law, or planning and management.
The department chair, with the approval of the chair of the department’s curriculum committee, may allow substitutions for one or more course requirements, consistent with the educational goals of our program.
Students must satisfy A, B, C, D, and E below.
A.聽All of the following: Philosophy , , , , 聽.
B. One course chosen from Philosophy , ,
C: One course chosen from Philosophy or
D. One course chosen from Philosophy ,听,听,听, ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听
E. One course chosen from any of the following groups. The course chosen from any group below may not be used to satisfy any of the above Option II-A, Option II-B, Option II-C or Option II-D requirements.
- Applied Ethics: Philosophy 3306鈥�3331
- History: Philosophy , 3121鈥�3141,
- Other: Philosophy , , , , 3530-3605, , , ,听, , 3724鈥�3731, 3805鈥�4110, 4201-5111
- Philosophy or or or any course 3000-level or above
Philosophy and Medical Ethics
Department requirements (44鈥�48 credits; 29鈥�33 in philosophy courses, and 15 credits in approved science courses or a philosophy minor).
Requirements:
Philosophy and and .
Philosophy or .
One course chosen from the following: Philosophy , , , , , .
One course chosen from the following: Philosophy or .
One course chosen from the following: Philosophy , , , , , .
One course chosen from the following: Philosophy , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .
One course chosen from the following: Philosophy , , , , , .
Either at least 15 credits in any selection of the following science courses: Biology , , Chemistry , , , , , , , , , , , , , Physics , , , ; or a minor in one of the following: philosophy; philosophy and the sciences; professional and applied ethics; logic, reasoning, and rationality; cognitive science; philosophy and the arts; philosophy, culture, and the social sciences; corporate social responsibility; or global studies.
Philosophy and Other Fields
Recommended for students planning careers in medicine, cognitive science, or the arts, and for other students interested in acquiring a knowledge of philosophy that also contributes to the understanding of another field.
The department chair, with the approval of the chair of the department’s curriculum committee, may allow substitutions for one or more course requirements, consistent with the educational goals of our program.
Students must satisfy A, B, and C below.
A. One course from each of the following groups, (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5):
- Philosophy or .
- Philosophy or or or or .
- Philosophy or or .
- Philosophy or or .
- Philosophy or or or any course 3000-level or above
B. Three courses: One course from each of the following groups, (1), (2), and (3) below. The course chosen from each group may not be used to satisfy any of the above Option III-A requirements or any other Option III-B requirement.
- One course chosen from Philosophy , 3215鈥�3232, 3318鈥�3335, 3401鈥�3423, 3501鈥�3740, , 3910鈥�4110, or 4201鈥�5111.
- One course chosen from Philosophy 3105鈥�3145, , , , or .
- One course chosen from Philosophy 3305鈥�3317, , , , or .
C. One of the following, (1) or (2) or (3) or (4) below:
- At least 12 credits in courses taken in a single department or program outside the Philosophy Department.
- At least 12 credits in any selection of the following science courses: Biology , ; Chemistry , , , , , , or both and , or both and ; Health and Nutrition Sciences or ; Physics , , , , , , .
- A minor in cognitive science, global studies, or corporate social responsibility. (Philosophy courses taken to complete a minor in cognitive science or to complete a minor in global studies or to complete a minor in corporate social responsibility can also be applied toward the satisfaction of Option III-A and Option III-B requirements for a major in philosophy.)
- A minor in one of the following: philosophy and the arts; or philosophy and the sciences; philosophy, culture, and the social sciences; professional and applied ethics; or logic, reasoning, and rationality. Philosophy courses taken to complete a minor in philosophy and the arts, or to complete a minor in philosophy and the sciences, or to complete a minor in philosophy, culture and the social sciences or to complete a minor in professional and applied ethics, or to complete a minor in logic, reasoning and rationality can also be applied towards the satisfaction of the A and B requirements for a major in philosophy above.
Philosophy Honors
The department chair, with the approval of the chair of the department’s curriculum committee, may allow substitutions for one or more course requirements, consistent with the educational goals of our program.
Students must satisfy A, B, C and D below.
A. Philosophy .
- Two of: Philosophy 3111, 3113, 3121, 3122, 3123, 3130, 3724.
- One of: Philosophy or .
- One of: Philosophy , or
- One of: Philosophy 3703 or 4704
- One of: Philosophy or or or any course 3000-level or above
B. One course chosen from group (1), and one course chosen from group (2). The course chosen from each group may not be used to satisfy any of the above Option V-A requirements or any other Option V-B requirement.
- One of: Philosophy 3212鈥�3232, 3401鈥�3429, , , , , , ; and
- One of: Philosophy , 3111鈥�3159, 3307鈥�3311, 3316鈥�3319, 3323鈥�3331, 3501鈥�3520, , 3701鈥�3921, , .
C. A student must complete at least one of the following seminars with honors credit and with a grade of B or higher:
- Philosophy or or or or or or .
D. A student must have an academic index of 3.50 or higher in philosophy courses taken to satisfy the major.
The Support You鈥檒l Find
One point that can never be repeated enough is the importance of working with your professors and instructors. Even though there is plenty of good information to be found online, in each class you will learn from an expert in the field, who can answer your questions or direct you to the best resources available. The value of faculty cannot be overstated. Good connections with your instructors may be a deciding factor in landing your dream job.
Internships and Employers
Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the philosophy B.A. program access to career opportunities at a wide variety of employers, including:
- All Guiding Stars
- Manhattan District Attorney鈥檚 Office
- MinKwon Center for Community Action
- NAACP Legal Defense Fund
- NYC Public Schools
- NYU Langone
- TRIAD Consulting Strategies
- Veritext Legal Solution
