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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’s greatest questions while improving your reasoning, analytic, and judgment skills. You will also improve your ability to develop and defend positions through effective written and oral communication. You can choose from six tracks while studying philosophy: Philosophy, Philosophy and Business, Philosophy and Law, Philosophy and Medical Ethics, Philosophy and Other Fields, or Philosophy Honors.
Your philosophy courses will prepare you for a wide range of careers—in law, business, finance, management, technology, journalism, education, politics, and civil service—by cultivating your abilities to think critically and creatively about complex problems, and to express yourself with confidence and clarity.
The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2024–25 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.
Philosophy is a writing-intensive major.
You can choose from six tracks while studying philosophy:
Students will be able to:
To help you pursue your studies in the most efficient manner, and to maximize your efforts to graduate in four years, Brooklyn College has created four-year degree maps for all its majors.
View degree maps for this major and others.
Please contact:
Department of Philosophy 3308 Boylan Hall E: BCPhilosophyDept@brooklyn.cuny.edu 718.951.5000, ext. 5311
or:
3308 Boylan Hall E: DCampos@brooklyn.cuny.edu P: 718.951.5000, ext. 5311
3300 Boylan Hall E: matthewm@brooklyn.cuny.edu P: 718.951.5000, ext. 6879
Or contact:
222 West Quad Center 2900 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11210 E: adminqry@brooklyn.cuny.edu
To make an appointment with an undergraduate admissions counselor, visit:
Virtual Admissions Counselor Appointments
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):
One course from each of the following groups (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8):
Recommended for students planning careers in business.
Philosophy 3314 and 3320.
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.
One of the following groups, either Marketing/Management or Finance:
Two of the following: Economics 3320, [Business 3310] or Finance 3310, [Business 3330] or Finance 3330.
Recommended for students planning careers involving public affairs, law, or planning and management.
Students must satisfy A, B, C, D, and E below.
A. All of the following: Philosophy 3105, 3308, 3320, 3410, 3740.
B. One course chosen from Philosophy 3203, 3210, 3212
C: One course chosen from Philosophy 3703 or 3704
D. One course chosen from Philosophy 3130, 3304, 3307, 3309, 3714, 3720, 3721, 3722, 3723, 3724, 3725, 3726, 3805
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.
Department requirements (44–48 credits; 29–33 in philosophy courses, and 15 credits in approved science courses or a philosophy minor).
Requirements:
Philosophy 3311 and 3316 and 3320.
Philosophy 3601 or 3611.
One course chosen from the following: Philosophy 3203, 3204, 3231, 3210, 3212, 3232.
One course chosen from the following: Philosophy 3703 or 3704.
One course chosen from the following: Philosophy 3401, 3410, 3420, 3422, 3421, 3423.
One course chosen from the following: Philosophy 3105, 3111, 3121, 3122, 3130, 3141, 3142, 3305, 3306, 3307, 3308, 3309, 3323, 3325, 3326, 3331, 3501, 3502, 3511, 3512, 3520, 3530, 3702, 3711, 3714, 3720, 3721, 3722, 3723, 3724, 3725, 3726, 3730, 3731, 3740, 3805.
One course chosen from the following: Philosophy 4105, 4110, 4120, 4201, 5110, 5111.
Either at least 15 credits in any selection of the following science courses: Biology 1001, 1002, Chemistry 1100, 1040, 1050, 2050, 2100, 3511, 3512, 3521, 3522, 4570, 4571, 4572, 4580, Physics 1100, 1111, 1112, 2100; 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.
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.
Students must satisfy A, B, and C below.
A. One course from each of the following groups, (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5):
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.
C. One of the following, (1) or (2) or (3) or (4) below:
Students must satisfy A, B, C and D below.
A. Philosophy 3320.
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.
C. A student must complete at least one of the following seminars with honors credit and with a grade of B or higher:
D. A student must have an academic index of 3.50 or higher in philosophy courses taken to satisfy the major.
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.
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:
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