Philosophy Major
Why Study Philosophy at Virginia Tech?
Philosophy students are best-trained in the ability to understand and evaluate reasoning. The discipline provided by philosophical training prepares students for a variety of professional and scholarly fields where independent judgment, conceptual dexterity, and intellectual acumen are required. The skills of philosophy are universal skills, basic to professional expertise in fields such as law, business, journalism, and education. This accounts for why philosophy majors are among the most sought-after of all university graduates.
1:4
Faculty-Student Ratio
100%
Research Project Completion
62
Undergraduate Philosophy Majors
Maria Jernigan, '18
While majoring in philosophy and Spanish, Maria conducted research abroad considering philosophy's role in educational best practices in places like Finland, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. These experiences inspired Maria to found an educational startup, Redshift Education, which she runs when she is not teaching Spanish at an independent high school.
Robert Marsters, '14
Robert, while majoring in philosophy and political science, interned with the United States Geological Survey's Landsat Remote Sensing Program. The effective communication skills learned in his classes and internship experience supported him during law school at the University of Virginia. He's currently an associate at Milbank, a V50 law firm headquartered in New York.
Meg Tylenda, ’21
Meg completed majors in philosophy and sociology with minors in global engagement and peace studies and violence prevention. She studied abroad in Switzerland through the European Affairs in the Global Context program where she completed a field study on socioeconomic divide in London boroughs through the Brexit Referendum and research for the Diplomacy Lab. Meg is attending Albany Law School with a future goal of working in international law.
Careers and Further Study
What Can You Do with a Philosophy Major?
Jobs Held by Our Graduates
- Executive Trainer
- Business Analyst
- Attorney
- Finance Director
- Family Therapist
- Software Developer
- Research Assistant
- Teacher/Professor
- Paralegal
- Non-profit Coordinator
- Journalist
- Consultant
- Healthcare Administrator
- Political Analyst
- Entrepreneur
Beyond the Classroom
Experiential Learning
Majoring in philosophy at Virginia Tech means joining an active and welcoming community. Our faculty work side-by-side with you to advise you on pursuing research interests, presenting and publishing their work, and preparing you for a career after graduation.
Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to connect with a different culture, experience new ways of thinking, and explore new places, all while gaining unique understandings and perspectives. Check out programs by visiting the study abroad page or by searching the Global Education Office's programs.
In a competitive job market, experience is an important commodity. Internships provide you with valuable skills and real-world perspective regarding your chosen career field while giving you the opportunity to explore the possibilities for the future.
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The members of the Philosophy Club believe in the importance of wisdom. We believe in challenging assumptions and leaving nothing unquestioned: ignorance may be blissful, but it is not fulfilling. We desire to recognize our own ignorance and to do everything we can to overcome it. Realizing that recognizing one's own ignorance can be difficult for many reasons, we gather together to help each other overcome it and take the necessary steps to being that much wiser.
Curriculum
What You'll Study
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy Degree
- Including Virginia Tech's Pathways
Philosophy Major Requirements
- Ancient Through Medieval Philosophy
- History of Modern Philosophy
- Knowledge and Reality
- Philosophy of Mind
- Ethical Theory
Minor and Elective Hours
Our program gives you the opportunity to build knowledge in another area by pursuing a minor, double major, or cognate.
120 hrs
B.A. Philosophy
45 hrs
General Education
36 hrs
Major Requirements
39 hrs
Elective
Campus Life
Campus Life
Discover all that Virginia Tech has to offer inside and outside of the classroom. Our campus life aims to build communities, promote holistic education, and cultivate environments that offer opportunities for leadership, innovation, and service.