Is philosophy a difficult major?

Philosophy can be challenging because it requires careful reading, writing, and analysis. However, faculty provide guidance and structure to support student success across courses.

Is philosophy a good major for pre-law?

Yes. Philosophy develops skills in reasoning, argumentation, and analysis that are valuable preparation for law school and related fields.

Can I become a teacher with a philosophy degree?

Yes. Students can pursue early childhood or elementary teaching licensure alongside their Philosophy studies.

Is it easy to double major in Philosophy?

Yes. The flexibility of the Philosophy program allows students to combine it with other majors while strengthening critical thinking and communication skills.

Philosophy Minor

Gain knowledge of major philosophical issues while developing reasoning, argumentation, and analytical skills valued in law and many other fields.

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Program Details

Minor

Internships & Careers

Outcomes

How to Study Philosophy

Study philosophy. Hone your reasoning. Strengthen any major.

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Program Type: Minor
Total Credit Hours: 18 Hours
Open to: Undergraduates Majoring Outside of Philosophy

Why Add a Philosophy Minor?

The Philosophy Minor gives students a strong foundation in major philosophical issues that can be meaningfully combined with work in other departments, including their major. Because course selection reflects each student’s academic focus and primary interests, it is one of the most customizable minors at MCLA.

Built Around Your Major, Not Separate From It

Six of the minor’s 18 credits are electives chosen according to your major and interests, allowing you to connect philosophical study directly to your academic and career goals.

Law School Prep, Without the Major

Through its four required courses, especially PHIL 200 Logic and Critical Reasoning, the Philosophy Minor develops the reasoning, argumentation, and analytical skills that provide valuable preparation for law school and related fields.

The Philosophy Society

Students interested in philosophy can participate in the Philosophy Society, connecting with faculty and peers through discussions, events, and activities beyond the classroom.

Philosophy Minor Requirements

The Philosophy Minor requires 18 credits: four required courses totaling 12 credits and 6 elective credits selected according to the student’s major and primary interests.

Required Courses

PHIL 100: Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 200: Logic and Critical Reasoning (or PHIL 200H Honors: Logic and Critical Reasoning)
PHIL 300: Epistemology and Metaphysics
PHIL 350: Contemporary Moral Issues

Elective Courses Available

PHIL 240: Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 242: Modern Philosophy
PHIL 322: Business Ethics
PHIL 335: Philosophy of Education
PHIL 360: Social and Political Philosophy
PHIL 303: Global Philosophy Through Thought Experiment

How to Add the Philosophy Minor

Enrolled MCLA students can add the Philosophy Minor by meeting with their academic advisor to complete the required Philosophy courses and select elective coursework that complements their major and academic interests.

Who Can Add the Philosophy Minor?

The Philosophy Minor is open to all MCLA undergraduates outside the Philosophy major.

Political Science / Pre-Law: Students strengthen the reasoning, argumentation, and analytical skills that make philosophy a valuable preparation for law school, public policy, and legal careers through courses such as PHIL 200 Logic and Critical Reasoning and PHIL 360 Social and Political Philosophy.

Business Administration: Business students examine corporate values, responsibility, and ethical decision-making through PHIL 322 Business Ethics, while PHIL 200 Logic and Critical Reasoning strengthens structured analysis and persuasive argument.

Education: Education students explore autonomy, authority, creativity, knowledge, and their implications for classroom practice through PHIL 335 Philosophy of Education.

Global & Intercultural Studies (GIST): GIST students examine philosophical ideas across cultures through PHIL 303 Global Philosophy Through Thought Experiment, which explores traditions ranging from ancient Greek thought to Eastern philosophy, African Ubuntu philosophy, and Indigenous worldviews.

Environmental Studies / Health Sciences: Environmental Studies students examine human moral obligations to nature through PHIL 325 Ethics, Animals and the Environment. Health Sciences students can explore contemporary questions of responsibility, justice, and human welfare through PHIL 350 Contemporary Moral Issues.

Skills You Will Develop

Foundational Philosophical Reasoning

Study major philosophical questions, traditions, and thinkers while building the vocabulary and reasoning skills needed for advanced philosophical inquiry.

Formal and Logical Reasoning

Learn to analyze arguments, identify assumptions, evaluate evidence, and approach complex problems through careful logical reasoning.

Ethical Reasoning

Examine moral questions, justice, responsibility, and human values while learning to evaluate ethical issues across professional and social contexts.

Applied Reasoning in Your Field

Use philosophy to strengthen your primary field of study through electives such as PHIL 322 Business Ethics or other courses aligned with your interests.

Spotlight Courses

PHIL 120: Art and Philosophy

Adopts a philosophical approach to the experience, understanding and critical assessment of the products and processes of the creative arts.

PHIL 120 Info

PHIL 240: Ancient Philosophy

Explores the ancient roots of western intellectual history, including contributions of non-European societies, in the context of the politics, economics, language, religion and technology of their times.

PHIL 240 Info

PHIL 375: Ethics and Animals

Explores the potentially morally significant relationships between humans and various kinds of non-human animals, applying moral propositions that we, as a society, subscribe to, to see whether they have unacknowledged implications for non-humans.

PHIL 375 Info

PHIL 495: Teaching Assistantship in Philosophy

Provides assistance to philosophy majors who intend to pursue active teaching careers in the discipline. Students will be assigned to a department member to assist in the teaching of lower-level courses.

PHIL 495 Info

Faculty

Meet Your Mentors

David K. Braden-Johnson

Professor

David K. Braden-Johnson Profile

Paul Nnodim

Professor

Paul Nnodim Profile

FAQs

Is Philosophy considered a hard minor?

The minor emphasizes critical thinking, reading, discussion, and logical analysis rather than memorization. Students from many majors successfully complete it by engaging thoughtfully with the material.

Can I substitute a course I already took for a required course?

Students should speak with the Philosophy department and their academic advisor to determine whether previously completed coursework may satisfy minor requirements.

Do I need advisor approval before choosing my electives?

Yes. Electives are selected according to your major and primary interests, so working with an advisor helps ensure your minor best supports your academic goals.

Can I do an internship as part of the minor?

Philosophy offers internship opportunities in selected circumstances. Students interested in internships should discuss available options with the department and their advisor.

Is this minor a good fit if I haven’t chosen a major yet?

Yes. Because the Philosophy Minor is highly flexible, students can begin with the required core courses and tailor their electives once they have identified their academic interests.

Related Programs

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Political Science

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