The main benefit of the study of Philosophy is developing the ability to think critically and for oneself. More than problem solving, it is the ability to make informed and reflective judgments in ambiguous situations, which is highly valued in all professions. Nationwide, Philosophy majors earn top scores on exams like the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, and GMAT, and by mid-career are among the highest earners in their chosen fields. One former CSS Philosophy student is now a Program Specialist for the National Institutes of Health’s Division of International Services. Another is in law school at the University of MN, while a third is the executive director of the Women’s Ski Coaches Association. Current CSS Philosophy students aim to become lawyers, professors, political strategists, business leaders, and more. The total number of credit requirements for the major has been kept low in order to allow students to pursue a second major in another field if they so desire, and your advisor within the program will work with you to tailor your degree to your career aspirations.
Contact Information
philosophy@css.edu
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Philosophy major, students will be able to:
- Articulate their own clear and nuanced positions on complex issues.
- Anticipate and respond fully to some of the most pressing challenging counter-arguments and/or objections to their own positions.
- Systematically and methodically analyze their own and others' assumptions, including the assumptions of any authors/philosophers the student engages.
- Analyze and synthesize information taken from sources in ways that are accurate, coherent, and comprehensive.
- Use delivery techniques (e.g. gestures, eye contact, vocal expressiveness) and delivery aids (e.g. slide shows, charts, props, etc.) to present positions to others in a polished and clear manner.
Requirements
Students must achieve the following program requirements for all courses listed under Program Requirements and Program Required Courses for the Philosophy major.
Program Requirements
Major Credits: 36
Major Residency Credits: 16
Minimum GPA: 2.0
Minimum Grade: C-
Program Required Courses
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| PHL 1105 | Logic | 4 |
| PHL 1114 | The Philosophical Perspective | 4 |
| or PHL 2205 | Philosophy of Person |
| PHL 2214 | Introductory Ethics | 4 |
| PHL 4444 | Seminar | 4 |
| 8 |
| Ancient Philosophy | |
| Medieval Philosophy | |
| Modern Philosophy | |
| 1 | 12 |
| Total Credits | 36 |
Degree Requirements
To graduate from The College of St. Scholastica, baccalaureate students must meet the following minimum degree requirements.
Total Credits: 120
Upper Division Credits: 40
Residency Requirement: 30
Minimum GPA: 2.0
