A major in philosophy will introduce you to a wide range of fascinating questions, develop your capacity to think for yourself about challenging issues, and help prepare you for graduate study, professional training and work in any field that requires clear and responsible thinking.

We offer a B.A. in Philosophy and a B.S. in Philosophy plus three concentrations: two in the B.A. and one in the B.S. These different programs all cover basic core areas of philosophy that are essential to any good philosophy major, but they also allow students to pursue and showcase different areas of emphasis.

The biggest differences between the B.A. in Philosophy and the B.S. in Philosophy arise from differences between the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ requirements for the B.A. and the B.S. These differences can be summarized as follows:

• For the B.A., the College requires more courses in the humanities and social sciences, including a 3-credit 201-level course in a foreign language.
• For the B.S., the College requires more courses in the natural sciences and mathematics, plus a 15-credit science or technology option.

The B.A. in Philosophy is, in general, best suited to:

• students with strong interests in a foreign language, history or literature;
• students who would like to transfer to a philosophy major from another major in the humanities or social sciences; and
• students who would like to combine a major in philosophy with another major in the humanities or social sciences.

The B.S. in Philosophy is, in general, best suited to:

• students with strong interests in mathematics, science, or technology;
• students who would like to transfer to a philosophy major from a major in mathematics, science or technology; and
• students who would like to combine a major in philosophy with another major in mathematics, science or technology.

The only difference between the departmental requirements for the B.A. in Philosophy without a concentration and the B.S. in Philosophy without a concentration is that one course in philosophy of science is required for the B.S. but not for the B.A.

Candidates for this degree must complete 30 hours in philosophy, including the three hours of philosophy required of all Humanities and Social Sciences students:

• two courses in the development of Western philosophical thought (two of: PHI 300, PHI 301, PHI 302, PHI 401, PHI 403); 
• a course in logic (one of: LOG 201, LOG 335, LOG 430, LOG 435); 
• one course in value theory (one of: PHI 309, PHI 313, PHI/STS 325, PHI 375, PHI 376, PHI 420, PHI 475); 
• one course in contemporary philosophy (one of: PHI 330, PHI 331, PHI 332, PHI 333, PHI 347, PHI/PSY 425, PHI 440, PHI 447); 
• one-credit research and writing courses in each of three core areas of philosophy (all of: PHI 494, PHI 495, PHI 496); and 
• four additional LOG or PHI courses (but note that PHI 205 and PHI 210 may not both be used toward this requirement).

At least one of the courses taken to satisfy these requirements must be a three-credit-hour, 400-level PHI or LOG course (other than PHI/LOG 498).

The concentration requires 30 hours in philosophy, including the three hours of philosophy required of all Humanities and Social Sciences students:

• two courses in the development of Western philosophical thought (two of: PHI 300, PHI 301, PHI 302, PHI 401, PHI 403); 
• a course in logic (one of: LOG 201, LOG 335, LOG 430, LOG 435); 
• two core courses in ethics (two of: PHI 375, PHI 376, PHI 475)
• two additional courses in ethics (two of: PHI 221, PHI 309, PHI 313, PHI/STS 325, PHI 375 (if not taken as a core course), PHI 376 (if not taken as a core course), PHI 420, PHI 475 (if not taken as a core course)); 
• one course in contemporary philosophy (one of: PHI 330, PHI 331, PHI 332, PHI 333, PHI 347, PHI/PSY 425, PHI 440, PHI 447); 
• one-credit research and writing courses in each of three core areas of philosophy (all of: PHI 494, PHI 495, PHI 496); and 
• one additional PHI course.

At least one of the courses taken to satisfy these requirements must be a three-credit-hour, 400-level PHI or LOG course (other than PHI/LOG 498).

The concentration requires 30 hours in philosophy, including the three hours of philosophy required of all Humanities and Social Sciences students:

• two core courses (both PHI 312 and PHI 313);
• one course in political philosophy (one of: PHI 309, PHI 319)
• one course in value theory (one of: PHI 375, PHI 376, PHI 475);
• two advised electives;
• one course in the development of Western philosophical thought (one of: PHI 300, PHI 301, PHI 302, PHI 401, PHI 403); 
• a course in logic or practical reasoning (one of: LOG 201, LOG 335, LOG 430, LOG 435, PHI 250); 
• one course in contemporary philosophy (one of: PHI 330, PHI 331, PHI 332, PHI 333, PHI 347, PHI/PSY 425, PHI 440, PHI 447); and 
• one-credit research and writing courses in each of three central areas of philosophy (all of: PHI 494, PHI 495, PHI 496).
  

At least one of the courses taken to satisfy these requirements must be a three-credit-hour, 400-level PHI or LOG course (other than PHI/LOG 498).

Candidates for this degree must complete 30 hours in philosophy, including the three hours of philosophy required of all Humanities and Social Sciences students:

• two courses in the development of Western philosophical thought (two of: PHI 300, PHI 301, PHI 302, PHI 401, PHI 403);
• a course in logic (one of: LOG 201, LOG 335, LOG 430, LOG 435); 
• one course in value theory (one of: PHI 309, PHI 313, PHI/STS 325, PHI 375, PHI 376, PHI 420, PHI 475); 
• one course in contemporary philosophy (one of: PHI 330, PHI 331, PHI 332, PHI 333, PHI 347, PHI/PSY 425, PHI 440, PHI 447); 
• one course in the philosophy of science (one of: PHI 340, PHI 440, PHI 447);
• one-credit research and writing courses in each of three core areas of philosophy (all of: PHI 494, PHI 495, PHI 496); and 
• three additional LOG or PHI courses to meet the minimum 30 hours required (but note that PHI 205 and PHI 210 may not both be used toward this requirement).

At least one of the courses taken to satisfy these requirements must be a three-credit-hour, 400-level PHI or LOG course (other than PHI/LOG 498).

If you are a current NC State student and you wish to change your major to philosophy or to add a second major in philosophy, you will need to submit an online intra-campus transfer application using the Change of Degree Application (CODA) system.

• Electronic applications will be reviewed immediately after each of the application deadlines: September 15, February 15, May 15 and July 1.
• Students who have completed at least 12 credit hours at NC State with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher will be accepted automatically.
• Students who have completed at least 12 credit hours at NC State with an overall GPA between 2.0 and 2.99 are subject to individual review.  It is recommended that these students complete at least one philosophy course with a grade of B- or better before applying.

For further information, please contact Joanna King at joanna_king@ncsu.edu.

The Philosophy Prize in Honor of Professor Robert S. Bryan was introduced in 2010/11. The prize, which includes a cash award, is presented each spring to the outstanding senior in philosophy. Past winners are:

• 2020: Abby Scheper
• 2019: Annabel Breen
• 2018: Harrison Payne
• 2017: Thomas Austin Olander
• 2016: Arianna Sultana Nasser
• 2015: Melodi T. Charles
• 2014: Wilson Gray Maddrey
• 2013: Kevin J.  Blackwell
• 2012: Daniel C. Rowe
• 2011: Jefferson Evans Guilford