Overview of Programs
Undergraduate Experience
The study of philosophy helps students develop the skills and habits required for critical and reflective thought. You will gain a deeper understanding of the foundation and application of ethical principles, and to the investigation and discussion of the grounds from which one examines the meaning of life. In all of these ways, undergraduate courses in philosophy are designed to address the cultural, critical, and religious objectives of a complete education.
Students who pursue a degree in philosophy will find themselves well-prepared for any number of career options. Philosophy provides excellent training for those interested in pursuing professional degrees in law, business or medicine. Not only do philosophy majors excel on entrance exams for professional programs, but the analytical and communication skills they develop in their philosophical studies are essential for their future success in such programs.
Studying Philosophy
Students studying philosophy at Saint Louis University can pursue three different concentrations: historical, health sciences, and society and law. The latter two are specially geared for pre-professional students. Philosophy majors follow the bachelor of arts core curriculum of the College of Arts and Sciences. The major itself involves 30 hours of coursework and is completed by writing and presenting a senior inquiry project.
A philosophy minor is also offered for undergraduate students. The philosophy minor requires 18 credit hours.
Graduate Program
Saint Louis University’s graduate program in philosophy provides an intellectual environment in which students pursue advanced studies in a wide range of philosophical topics and methods — systematic, analytic and historical. The department places equal emphasis on work in contemporary philosophy and on the value of history of philosophy. The program is designed to offer a diverse and well-rounded course of study.
Graduate philosophy students at SLU take seminars in logic and in each of the main periods of the history of philosophy. They participate in seminars devoted to topics in traditional areas of philosophy, including metaphysics and epistemology; value theory; social/political theory; and philosophy of religion, language and science. The Philosophical Gourmet Report ranks SLU’s as one of the top 50 best graduate programs in the country. We are noted for our strengths in a number of areas, including medieval philosophy, philosophy of religion, action theory, epistemology and social political philosophy.
The department offers a variety of resources to graduate students, including a world-renowned faculty, regular opportunities to work with eminent visiting scholars, numerous colloquia and conferences, a wide variety reading groups, as well as opportunities to participate in exchange programs.