Why Study Philosophy?

Students majoring in philosophy develop strong analytical and communication skills (both oral and written) that help them excel in a wide variety of careers. Philosophy graduates, on average, earn more than other humanities majors over the course of their lifetimes and outperform most other majors on the standardized tests required for post-graduate education, such as the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), and Graduate Record Examination (GRE). 

Philosophy and Law School

Law schools emphasize strong training in logic and reasoning as well as humanistic thought as criteria for admittance. The Philosophy Program at Kutztown University provides rigorous training in logic and reasoning as well as major theories and ideas from ancient to modern thinkers. As such, philosophy is an ideal major or double major for students interested in law school. 

Double Majoring in Philosophy

The study of philosophy is a great complement for majors in other disciplines. Some of the great mathematicians of the past hundred years were also logicians and philosophers. The foundations of computer science were laid by logicians and philosophers along with mathematicians. Natural sciences like biology and physics have their roots in philosophy. As for the social sciences, psychology remained a part of philosophy until around the end of 19th century, and major contemporary and classical economists, including figures like Adam Smith, were theoreticians. The same goes for political science and law. Humanities are also closely linked with philosophy and much of modern literature and literary criticism, as well as theology, is based on philosophical ideas and/or produced by people trained in philosophy.

Combining a philosophy degree with any other disciplines will enhance your skills for doing quality work in your profession of choice and ensure greater marketability. Majors in Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology, Economics, Political Science, English, Modern Languages, Criminal Justice, and the natural sciences can usefully combine their studies with a double major in philosophy. These majors need just 33 credits in philosophy to earn a double major. Most, if not all, of the concomitant courses and arts and sciences electives required for the major in Philosophy will be satisfied by courses taken in the second major. The analytical, critical, and creative thinking skills that one develops from studying philosophy will not only enhance job marketability but will also pave the way for you to shine in your respective areas by understanding the theoretical foundations of your discipline. For example, a double major in Biology and Philosophy is probably the best preparation for Medical School, and one in Political Science and Philosophy is an excellent preparation for law school.

    Relevant careers from the following list are available to graduates of these disciplines double majoring in philosophy:

    1. Business: advertising executive; assistant manager of a hotel; assistant to the president of a national firm; brewer; development manager; manager of a winery; manpower services coordinator.
    2. Computers and Technology: computer systems analyst; consultant; owner of a computer firm; programmer; technical writer.
    3. Consulting: in business, education, and publishing.
    4. Education (non-teaching fields): admissions officer; alumni relations officer; archivist; college president; dean; educational testing administrator; humanities bibliographer; librarian; residence hall director; provost; vice-chancellor for academic affairs.
    5. Engineering.
    6. Finance: bank officer (various departments); commodities broker; financial advisor; investment broker; tax accountant.
    7. Government (federal): armed forces officer; CIA staff member; congressional staff member; diplomat; immigration service staff member; intelligence officer; intern in the Department of Defense; policy analyst; policy and planning consultant; United Nations official; U.S. Postal Service staff member.
    8. Government (state and local): director, human services agency; county commissioner; county supervisor.
    9. Insurance.
    10. Law: attorney; bond lawyer; coordinator of a criminal justice program; director of communications at a state bar association; legal researcher; police officer; legal aid society employee; paralegal assistant; security officer.
    11. Marketing.
    12. Media: free-lance writer; executive editor of a magazine; TV producer.
    13. Medicine: director of a provincial medical association; hospital administrator; nurse; nursing administrator; physician; veterinary oncologist.
    14. Publishing: director of a university press; editor; employees of university and commercial presses.
    15. Real Estate.
    16. Religious Ministry.
    17. Research: business, educational, governmental, and scientific.
    18. Sales: many branches.
    19. Technical Writing.