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Philosophy (BA)

About

Who am I? What is justice? What is beauty? Students of philosophy study these questions and more as Appalachian State University’s Philosophy (BA) degree develops skills in critical thinking, argumentation, communication, public speaking and research.

Students often choose to major in philosophy because they are already critical thinkers and want to expand their analytical abilities.  Career options include law, medicine, business, writing, civil service, teaching and politics. This degree’s foreign language requirement enhances career possibilities.

Appalachian’s philosophy program focuses on undergraduate scholarship. With small class sizes, you will get individualized attention from professors who are experts in topics such as philosophy of music, philosophy of disability and the philosophy of language. The department values practical experience and encourages internships. The department’s internship coordinator will assist as you in researching and securing a host site that is applicable to your career interests.

After Graduation

Employment: Career options for students with a background in philosophy include law, medicine, business, writing, civil service, teaching and politics.

Graduate school: Students often pursue graduate studies at schools such as Boston University, DePaul University, Cornell University, Emory University, University of Chicago and UNC-Chapel Hill.

Career Exploration website

People

  • Student Profile: Jordan Venditelli
    Student Profile: Jordan Venditelli

    Philosophy major and religion minor Jordan Venditelli, from Raleigh, is a campus leader as president of the philosophy club. She also has become a prolific presenter at professional conferences, including the Southeastern Women’s Studies Association Conference.

  • Alumnus Profile: Jalyn Howard ’17
    Alumnus Profile: Jalyn Howard ’17

    Jalyn Howard ’17 added a philosophy minor to his health care management major, which set him up “to consider ethical approaches to topics in health care such as insurance — thinking about them from a philosophical point of view instead of simply an administrative point of view.”

  • Alumnus Profile: Todd Atchison ’01
    Alumnus Profile: Todd Atchison ’01

    Todd Atchison, a poet and prose writer, says he believes his time at App State as an English and philosophy major prepared him to be a writer. He recently published his grandfather’s memoir during the coronavirus pandemic.

    Meet more alumni

  • Alumni Profiles: What past students are doing now

    Many of our graduates pursue advanced degrees. Check out their research interests.

  • Faculty Profiles

    Faculty members are engaged researchers as well as expert teachers. Read about their research interests, from the metaphysics of mash-ups to environmental ethics and political power.

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide
  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Program

  • Religious Studies (BA)

Minors

A minor is required. Popular minors include:

  • Religion
  • Psychology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Political Science

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Philosophy and Film Society - Students and faculty watch films together and discuss philosophical elements.

Ethics Bowl - an opportunity to debate ethics and ethical issues with other schools’ teams

Philosophical Society/ Philosophy Club - an organization open to all majors. Students meet and discuss everything from Descartes and normative ethics to anarchy and Harry Potter.

Department coffee hour - Each Wednesday from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., students can meet with fellow philosophy majors, minors and faculty with coffee and refreshments in I.G. Greer 110A.

SASS (Secular Appalachian Students Association) - an organization whose goals are to help remove the negative stereotypes of atheists/agnostics/secularists and to create a strong, open-minded community of non-believers who socialize, learn and perform community service together.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Each summer, religious studies professor Randy Reed and philosophy professor Jack Kwong take students on a 6-credit hour study abroad program to Paris and Rome for a class titled “Love, Sex, and Power in the History of Christianity and the Meaning of Life.”

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.

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Why Appalachian?

  • Students can conduct research alongside a faculty member or on their own through an independent study. The Department of Philosophy and Religion encourages them to present their research at conferences and professional meetings and also contributes funds for travel.
  • A degree in philosophy develops students’ critical thinking, argumentation, communication, public speaking and research skills.
  • Students are encouraged to pursue an internship, and the department’s internship coordinator can help identify an ideal site.

Location

Boone and Hickory

Careers

Some of these jobs may require education beyond a bachelor’s degree.

  • Affirmative Action Representative
  • Arts Consultant
  • Author
  • Columnist
  • Counselor
  • Critic
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  • Editorial Assistant
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  • Management Trainee
  • Nonprofit/NGO Manager
  • Nursing Home Director
  • Paralegal
  • Political Campaign Worker
  • Professor
  • Psychologist
  • Public Policy Manager
  • Public Relations Representative
  • Public Service Official
  • Reporter
  • Research Assistant
  • Researcher/Historian
  • Sales Representative
  • Social Worker
  • YMCA/YWCA Worker

View more career possibilities

Contacts

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Philosophy and Religion

Dr. Mathew Foust
Department Chair
foustma@appstate.edu
828-262-4031

  • Department of Philosophy and Religion

    The Department of Philosophy and Religion invites students to explore the world, examine beliefs, understand a diversity of worldviews, and challenge the ideas and values that instruct our lives. The department offers a B.A. in philosophy and a B.A. in religious studies, as well as a minor in both of these areas. Learn more at philrel.appstate.edu.

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated Master’s program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

    Top Employment Sectors

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    • Biotech/Engineering
    • Elementary and Secondary Schools
    • Nonprofit Organizations

Appalachian Cares

It's up to me|us

Appalachian Cares is a place to find resources and support available for our students faculty and staff regarding student health and safety.

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