Dedman College Majors

Upper-level courses examine the masters of the field, like Plato and Descartes, in detail, as well as the specialized branches of the fields, such as ethics, political philosophy, metaphysics, and philosophy of science.

You will develop the ability to examine important texts with care and to present your own thinking in a rigorous way. These are abilities that graduates find invaluable in whatever career they pursue.

Degree Highlights

B.A. in Philosophy
Minimum 30 term hours of courses within the department

Minor in Philosophy
Minimum 15 term hours of courses within the department

Minor in Ethics
Minimum 15 term hours of courses within the department

Related Majors and Minors

The philosophy major is a smart choice if you plan to earn two majors. Some popular second degrees: art fits nicely with aesthetics; biological sciences to complement philosophy of science; economics, which pairs with business ethics; and political science to ethics and political philosophy. Preparation for teacher certification is available through the Center for Teacher Education.

Careers

The problem-solving, thinking, and persuasive abilities developed as a philosophy major are exactly what many employers are looking for in a job candidate. These flexible intellectual skills help you easily adapt to many types of jobs in this ever-changing marketplace; they are best learned before entering the workplace or graduate school, so Dedman College is the place to start. You can find philosophy graduates in such fields as marketing, the military, business, law, acting, medicine, and teaching.

Faculty

Philosophy faculty members are as celebrated as they are knowledgeable. Many regularly publish books and articles that receive national attention in such areas as cultural criticism, science, and metaphysics. These scholars are eager to share their research with students, and will constantly challenge your mind to make the most of your quest for a degree.

Internships & Study Abroad

Dedman College students get paid internships through the Hegi Family Career Development Center.

Majoring in philosophy opens your mind to schools of thought that span centuries and continents. You will greatly benefit from the SMU Study Abroad Program, which offers courses that explore different cultures, religions, and historic events. Choose from yearlong, semester, or summer programs. SMU-in-Copenhagen, SMU-in-Oxford, SMU-in-Japan, and SMU-in-Spain are particularly interesting for philosophy majors.