Why Study Philosophy?

Studying philosophy can help you develop the habits of thinking, writing, and communicating needed to navigate successfully the complex realities of professional, social, and personal life. Our students learn to critically analyze prevailing values, norms, and institutions, and to imagine and create flourishing lives and communities.

“It is no wonder then, that philosophers are comfortable in the courtroom, control room, or boardroom. They are trained in public expression and mental discipline, both crucial skills for managers, executives, lawyers, and leaders.”

“A Case For Majoring In Philosophy,” Forbes

“Philosophical inquiry, in particular, can add innovative ideas to architecture and create spaces that resonate with deeper human experiences and values, something that AI tools cannot do well (yet).”

“Why Architects Need Philosophy to Guide the AI Design Revolution,” JSTOR Daily

“What is a leader? They are the practical philosophers, the disciplined dreamers…”

The Business Of Thinking Big – Why Managers Should Study Philosophy,” Forbes

The Value of a Philosophy Degree

Philosophy & Career Readiness: Your Edge in a Changing Economy

With emerging technologies constantly disrupting what employers value, skills like critical thinking, communication, creativity, empathy, teamwork, and professionalism are paramount. Philosophy trains individuals to evaluate complex arguments, identify fallacies, and build strong, reasoned arguments. You'll master structured debates, analytical writing, and precise articulation of abstract ideas, boosting both spoken and written communication.

Philosophy students learn to lead discussions, practice careful listening, defend positions, and engage in cooperative inquiry, approaching different ideas with an open mind and a collaborative attitude. Business leaders in tech increasingly value the innovation and big-picture thinking philosophy teaches.

Career Versatility

A philosophy degree is a powerful foundation for diverse career paths in

Law (e.g., lawyer, paralegal)
Business (entrepreneur, consultant, manager)
Government (policy analyst)
Advertising
Journalism (journalist, editor)
Education (academic advisor, research assistant, philosophy instructor {with graduate study})
Sales
Human resources (corporate trainer, HR assistant)
Public relations (content strategist, communications coordinator)
Public policy (lobbyist, policy analyst, human rights advocate)

Philosophy is one of the most common majors of successful law school applicants. EMU offers in-house advising for those interested in law school, and the American Bar Association also offers advice on preparing for law school and additional resources for pre-law students. Learn about the application process, including the Law School Admissions Test, at the Law School Admissions Council website.

Teaching philosophy at the university or community college level generally requires a Ph.D. If you are considering graduate study in philosophy, discuss this option with your philosophy professors and your advisor early in your undergraduate career. See also the American Philosophical Association Guide to Graduate Programs in Philosophy.

Master Essential Skills & Explore What Matters

Philosophy majors cultivate critical reasoning and critical writing, the ability to solve problems, the facility to communicate clearly and effectively, and the capability to analyze and assess a situation from diverse points of view. These skills are valuable in every profession. You'll learn to dissect complex arguments, spot fallacies, and craft persuasive arguments in writing and discussion. The program helps you cultivate logical reasoning, clear and persuasive writing, and the ability to critically analyze complex ideas. Philosophy has been training individuals in these essential skills for over two thousand years.

Our diverse curriculum spans ethics, social justice, logic, critical reasoning, and global philosophies, covering topics like environmental justice, mind and cognition, and applied ethics. Join some of humanities greatest conversations!

Strong Financial Outcomes

The Wall Street Journal reports that Philosophy majors have a higher average starting salary than any other major in the Humanities. Furthermore, Philosophy and Mathematics majors have higher mid-career salary growth than any other major. Philosophy majors do well on early career median pay and employment rates. EMU philosophy graduates often see rapid career progression and strong mid-career earnings. Interested in seeing more data? Check out recent market research.

EMU Philosophy is Transfer & Double Major Friendly

Philosophy is a discovery major – many students find their passion for it later in their academic journey.

At just 33 credit hours, the Philosophy major is designed to be easily paired with other majors, making it an excellent choice for students seeking a robust double major to enhance their career readiness and intellectual breadth.

We warmly welcome students transferring from other colleges and community colleges. Your previous academic work is valuable and provides a strong foundation for your studies here, and you will find many students with similar educational journeys and backgrounds.

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy: This flexible program offers five tailored concentrations to prepare students for specific career fields:

Environmental Justice: Address pressing ethical issues related to our planet.
Law and Justice: Prepare for legal careers and delve into the foundations of justice.
Professional and Applied Ethics: Develop ethical decision-making skills for various professions.
Mind and Cognition: Explore the nature of the mind, consciousness, and knowledge.
Global Philosophy: Engage with diverse philosophical traditions from around the world.

Philosophy Minor: Complement any major with a strong philosophical foundation.

Exceptional Graduate School Preparation

Philosophy majors do exceptionally well on exams for graduate or professional schools. They score higher than any other major on the verbal and analytic writing portions of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)[PDF] and well above the mean on the quantitative reasoning section. Philosophy majors rank second overall on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)[PDF] and third overall on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

Philosophy Master's of Arts Placement Into PhD Programs

While many of our MA students aren't here for a PhD track, those who are interested in moving on are heading to terrific programs, including Wisconsin - Madison, Loyola (Chicago), Michigan State, Kansas, Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, Duquesne, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Arizona State, Minnesota, Marquette, Arkansas, and British Columbia.

Explore your options

The University Advising & Career Development Center provides a centralized service to help you plan your career, develop job-search skills, obtain student employment while attending college, and secure a job upon graduation. The Career Coaches, April Calkovsky, Logann Dolan, and Barb Gehring, all work with students whose majors are in Philosophy, and are eager to meet with you to explore your career path. You can make an appointment with them though Handshake or by calling UACDC at 487-0400.
Handshake, Eastern’s search platform for student employment opportunities, also contains sample résumés and other job search resources.
O*NET OnLine presents detailed information about different occupations.
The American Philosophical Association has a guide for undergraduates, which includes a discussion of careers for philosophy majors.

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