Major in Philosophy

Contact Us:

Office in Eddy Building, Room 243
(970) 491-6315 | cla_philosophyadmin@colostate.edu
philosophy.colostate.edu

Philosophy is at the very heart of a liberal arts education and is the foundation of every field. Students of philosophy learn how to think deeply and clearly, ask questions, solve problems, and collaboratively dialogue across diverse viewpoints. Philosophy students apply these skills and methods to investigate the most fundamental moral, legal, aesthetic, religious, scientific, epistemological, and metaphysical ideas. Because they apply to any area, the skills of philosophy are essential for a wide variety of career paths, including law, publishing, tech, policy, education, and business. Through critical examination of the foundations of humanity and knowledge, philosophy students are better able to understand the world and our place in it. We can't wait to explore these fundamental questions with you as you work through your major in Philosophy!

Philosophy Skills

• Critical thinking and analysis
• Problem solving
• Exploring different perspectives
• Connection making
• Insightful and thoughtful dialogue
• Attention to ethical concerns
• Developing logical arguments
• Conceptual clarity
• Close and careful reading and reasoning

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will have skills in the following areas:

1. Critical & Creative Problem-Solving: Students will apply critical and creative thinking to analyze and evaluate arguments and generate innovative approaches to complex questions. By identifying assumptions, navigating ambiguities, considering alternative viewpoints, and addressing counterarguments, they will develop flexible problem-solving skills applicable to multiple contexts.
2. Philosophical Inquiry: Students will gain broad understanding of philosophy by engaging with questions about truth, reality, knowledge, justice, and the good life. Through the study of major questions, debates, and figures in various philosophical traditions, students will explore the complex histories and cultural contexts from which these ideas emerge and how they connect to their own heritage as well as broader human concerns and experiences.
3. Reading, Research, and Analysis: Students will develop the interpretive and analytical skills needed to read and understand complex texts. They will critically evaluate the quality, relevance, and credibility of diverse sources and integrate them thoughtfully in their own research and writing. In doing so, they will generate and defend original ideas, advancing knowledge and contributing to broader conversations about humanity’s shared challenges.
4. Communication & Dialogue: Students will communicate effectively in writing and speech, expressing ideas and arguments with clarity, coherence, and originality. They will engage in constructive, respectful dialogue that demonstrates openness to various perspectives, collaborative problem-solving, and reciprocal learning—building shared understanding and collective wisdom, allowing them to more effectively engage in civic life.
5. Ethical Reasoning and Civic Responsibility: Students will develop ethical reasoning skills by exploring frameworks for understanding values, meaning, and responsibility. They will apply these skills to pressing social issues, such as sustainability, social well-being, and civic engagement. By reflecting on their own assumptions and considering alternative perspectives, students cultivate ethical awareness, deepen their understanding of both their own and others’ values and heritages, and prepare to contribute thoughtfully and responsibly to resilient communities and democratic processes.

Career Paths: What can you do with a degree in Philosophy?

Anything! Our graduates have incorporated their philosophy degrees and training into rewarding and impactful careers around the world. A degree in philosophy equips you with specific skills relevant across many career paths, from law, business, IT, and government to education, publishing, and non-profit management. Since they are relevant to any career path, the skills of philosophy are widely applicable and highly marketable to employers. Plus, Philosophy grads tend to earn more over their lifetimes than any other humanities majors, AND they have the highest starting salaries and biggest salary increases too! Philosophy majors also outperform other majors on graduate school admission like the GRE, LSAT, and GMAT.

Change of Major

To change your major to Philosophy, you can either call the College of Liberal Arts Academic Advising Center at 970-491-3117, or send them an email. 

Concentrations

Students are no longer being admitted into the following concentrations, which have been consolidated into the Major in Philosophy (see the "Requirements" and "Major Completion Map" tabs above for the new program of study effective Fall 2026)

• General Philosophy Concentration
• Global Philosophies and Religions Concentration
• Philosophy, Science, and Technology Concentration

Effective Fall 2026

A grade of C (2.000) or better is required in all PHIL courses.

Topic Areas

History of Western Philosophy

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PHIL 300	Ancient Greek Philosophy	3
PHIL 301	17th and 18th Century European Philosophy	3
PHIL 302	19th Century Philosophy	3
PHIL 303	Medieval Philosophy	3
PHIL 407	Phenomenology and Existentialism	3
PHIL 409	20th Century Philosophy	3

 Global Philosophies

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PHIL 270	Issues in the Study of Religion	3
PHIL 333	Latin American Philosophy	3
PHIL 335	Islam-Cosmology and Practice	3
PHIL 349	Philosophies of East Asia	3
PHIL 356	Islamic Philosophy	3
PHIL 360	Topics in Asian Philosophy	3
PHIL 379	Mysticism East and West	3

 Ethics, Values, and Society

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PHIL 201/CS 201	Ethical Computing Systems	3
PHIL 205	Introduction to Ethics	3
PHIL 230	Epistemology and Values in Sustainability	3
PHIL 240	Philosophies of Peace and Nonviolence	3
PHIL 245	Environmental Philosophies (GT-AH3)	3
PHIL 264	Animal Ethics	3
PHIL 312	Philosophy of Law	3
PHIL 318	Aesthetics-Visual Arts	3
PHIL 320	Ethics of Sustainability	3
PHIL 322	Biomedical Ethics	3
PHIL 345	Environmental Ethics	3
PHIL 350	Social and Political Philosophy	3
PHIL 353	Feminist Philosophies	3
PHIL 363	Social Metaphysics	3
PHIL 447	Ethical Theory	3

Knowledge and Reality

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PHIL 206	Knowledge and Existence-An Introduction	3
PHIL 210	Introduction to Formal Logic	3
PHIL 315	Philosophy of Language	3
PHIL 325	Philosophy of Science	3
PHIL 326	Philosophy of Biology	3
PHIL 327	Philosophy of Behavioral Sciences	3
PHIL 348	Philosophy of Literature and the Arts	3
PHIL 355	Philosophy of Religion	3
PHIL 375	Science and Religion	3
PHIL 410	Formal Logic	3
PHIL 411	Logic in Philosophy and Beyond	3
PHIL 425	Epistemology	3
PHIL 435	Metaphysics	3
PHIL 438	Philosophy of Mind	3

¹

No more than 6 PHIL credits at the 100-level may be applied to the major.

²

Some courses may also count towards AUCC requirements.

³

At least 15 PHIL credits must be at or above the 300-level.

⁴

Students must take at least one course from each of four topic areas:

• History of Western Philosophy
• Global Philosophies
• Ethics, Values, and Society
• Knowledge and Reality

⁵

Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to 120, of which at least 42 must be Upper-Division (300- to 400-level).

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:

A grade of C (2.000) or better is required in all PHIL courses.