The critical and analytical skills developed in the study of philosophy are applicable to any profession. While nearly fifteen percent of our graduates pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy, at least twenty-six percent of our philosophy alumni pursue graduate education in other related fields. Philosophy is one of the top two or three academic disciplines whose students score highest on the Law School Admissions Test. Our graduates have gained admission to a variety of law schools.

One of our graduates, Professor Jill Dieterle, is an alumni of our Program and a Professor in the EMU Philosophy Program. She was the recipient of the 2000 EMU Alumni Award.

David Coverly, 1987 alumni, is a world-renowned cartoonist. He is the 2010 Undergraduate Symposium invited keynote speaker. His website biography reports that his cartoons have been reprinted in such publications as Esquire, Saturday Evening Post, The New York Times, and USA Today. His syndicated cartoon panel, "Speed Bump" was given the Best in Newspaper Panels award by the National Cartoonists Society in 1995 and 2003. In 1998, the same organization gave him another award for Best Greeting Cards. In both 2004 and 2005, Coverly was nominated by the NCS for the prestigious Reuben Award, given to the Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year. In addition to his syndicated work, Coverly is also a regular contributing artist to both of PETA’s magazines, Animal Times and Grrr! for kids. http://www.creators.com/comics/speed-bump-about.html

Recent graduates who are pursuing the doctorate in Philosophy include: Jake Kuhn, Purdue University; Karen McCarthy, New School for Social Research; Veronica Pear, University of California-San Diego; Mohammed Abouzahr, Wayne State University; Eric Colwell, University of Hawai’i; April Hall, University of Illinois, Chicago; Thomas Cudney, Georgia State University;Theresa Lazlo, Arizona State University; Dera Sipe, Villanova University; Mohammed Abhouzhar and Mark Wenzel, Wayne State University.

Alumni who have achieved the doctorate in Philosophy or other higher education degrees include: David Strand, Emory University; Raimondo Elugardo, Ph.D., University of Calgary, Edmonton and Professor at the University of Arizona.  Professor Elugardo also received the 1998 EMU Alumni Award. Lyle Zynda, Ph.D., Princeton University; Larry Garascia, Ph.D., Northwestern University; Leonard Lawler, Ph.D., State University of New York, Stony Brook and Professor at the University of Memphis; Mark Metalski, Ph.D., Duquesne University; Arlene Kwasniak, Ph.D., University of Edmonton, Calgary and Tadd Ruetnik, Purdue University.

Luke Hoorlebeke is pursuing his doctorate in Political Science at the New School for Social Research. Scott Hoogerhyde achieved the D.M., Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University and is pursuing his doctorate in Pastoral Psychology, Columbia University. Scott Hoogerhyde also received the 1998 EMU Alumni Award.

Many philosophy alumni are practicing attorneys or are pursuing the J.D. degree. Kellen Myers is in law school at Indiana State University School of Law. Charles DeGryse is pursuing the J.D. at Wayne State University. Ann McGuire was awarded the prestigious Clarence Darrow Scholarship to the University of Michigan Law School. Other graduates who are practicing attorneys or pursuing the J.D. include: Paul Rootare, J.D.,University of Michigan; Jason Sweeney, Michigan State University; Michael Vincent, J.D., Michigan State University; Aaron Israels, University of Detroit Law School; and Peter Scranton, Michigan State University.

Alumni who pursue or have achieved a Philosophy Masters or higher degree in other related fields include: Karen McCarthy, Rebecca Traynor, Drew Delaney, and Adam Melinn, M.A. in Philosophy; Michelle Marhofer, M.A. in History and M.A. in Philosophy; Michael Matrescu, M.A., the University of Michigan School of Information; Putnam Trumbull, M.A. in film at New York University, Singapore; Daniel Coverley, M.A. in Creative Writing; Cissi Bock Bauer, M.A. in English Rhetoric; Scott Duimstra, M.L.S. in Library Science; Barry Hall, M.A. in Literature; Roy MacKenzie, M.A. in Information Science. Ben Rosenburg (1999) earned his Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Certification from EMU and his M.A. in Teaching from Marygrove College.  He is currently  teaching high school social studies at Highland Park Community High School.