Major Requirements
As a philosophy major, you’ll sharpen your communication and critical-thinking skills while diving into life’s most persistent questions.
In addition to the general philosophy track, you may also concentrate in ethics and political philosophy. Your exposure to a range of concepts and academic skills will prepare you for a career in law, medicine, business or education.
Meet Your Major
In the philosophy program, you will:
- Learn how to think logically, critically and independently.
- Improve your ability to communicate ideas and arguments clearly and effectively.
- Review many ideas pioneered by the most influential philosophers of the last 2,500 years.
- Discover ancient and modern theories of the nature of reality, knowledge, ethics and politics.
- Gain the problem-solving and analytical skills to thrive in whichever career you choose.
Hands-On Learning
Contemplate with your contemporaries in the Philosophy Club, Merrimack’s home for philosophical discussion, debate and film events. Plus, if you maintain a GPA of 3.5 in all philosophy courses (and a 3.0 overall), you may be eligible to join Phi Sigma Tau, the philosophy international honor society.
Career Options
Upon successful completion of the philosophy program, you’ll be well-equipped to pursue a variety of careers in business, government or academia. Positions may include:
- Doctor
- Historian
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Political Adviser
- Professor
- Teacher
What You’ll Take
All philosophy majors take a combination of required and elective courses to satisfy the 34-credit, nine-course requirement. You may elect to take the general philosophy track or concentrate in ethics and political philosophy.
General Track
Ethics and Political Philosophy Concentration
| PHL 1000 | Introduction to Philosophy |
| PHL 2040 | Introduction to Political Philosophy |
| One course in: | History of Philosophy |
| One course in: | Metaphysics or Epistemology |
| One elective in: | any 3000-4000 level philosophy course |
| Select four: |
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Interested in a Career in Law?
Philosophy majors have consistently performed extremely well on the LSAT and have high rates of admission into law schools.
Philosophy develops skills that are recommended by the American Bar Association for pre-law students, including problem-solving; critical reading; writing and editing; oral communication and listening; and promotion of justice.
Many philosophy courses also expose students to the law by critically examining laws, proposed legal reforms and court cases. These include Philosophy of Law; Global Justice; Human Rights: Theory and Practice; Biomedical Ethics,; and Contemporary Moral Problems.
Associate Professor of Philosophy Sandra Raponi, adviser for the law, ethics and society minor, has a law degree in addition to a Ph.D. in philosophy. Please contact her at raponis@merrimack.edu for more information about how a degree in philosophy can help prepare you for law school.