Philosophy Concentration
About the Program
Philosophy is relevant to most questions about human life. The unique methods of philosophy, with their emphasis on clarity, logic, conceptual analysis, understanding, creativity, and rational persuasion, make philosophy the ultimate transferable skill. It is no accident that in the long run philosophy majors earn more than other humanities majors and more than many business, technology, and science majors. Philosophical knowledge and skills don’t become less important with changes in fashion, the economy, technology, or politics. They become more important.
Expand your philosophical knowledge and skills through our Master of Liberal Studies concentration in philosophy. Learn to know yourself and our world better, how to reason and live better. Increase your upward mobility in any career by learning to better evaluate problems and articulate solutions. If you are interested in teaching philosophy, our philosophy concentration fulfills the requirements for teaching philosophy at two-year colleges in most states and it gives you an advantage if you wish to eventually seek admission to a Ph.D. program.
All of the courses for this concentration, including the core MLS courses, are available online, enabling distance learners to complete this program entirely online.
Program Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy OR a Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of 12 undergraduate credit-hours in Philosophy or Philosophy-related courses.
- This concentration requires a minimum GPA of 2.75 on the last 60 undergraduate hours.
A person seeking admittance to this concentration can take additional coursework at FHSU or elsewhere to build eligibility for application to admission to the concentration. Admittance decisions are made by the MLS Coordinator in Philosophy, History and Philosophy Programs Chair, and the Dean of the Graduate School.
Program Curriculum
MLS Core Courses: 10 credit hours (required)
- IDS 801: Introduction to Graduate Liberal Studies
- IDS 802: Ways of Knowing in Comparative Perspective
- IDS 803: Origins and Implications of the Knowledge Society
- IDS 804: Information Literacy
Concentration: 18 credit hours + 3 credit Hour Culminating Experience
Required: 6 Credit Hours
- PHIL 700: Ethics
- PHIL 780: Topics in Philosophy
By arrangement with the philosophy concentration coordinator or any member of the philosophy faculty.
Electives: 12 credit hours (Note: some of these courses are not offered every semester – some are offered only annually or biennally. Consult with the Philosophy Concentration Coordinator to plan your schedule.)
- PHIL 705: Classical Greek Philosophy
- PHIL 710: Foundations of Modern Philosophy
- PHIL 715: Philosophy of Knowledge
- PHIL 720: Philosophy of Religion
- PHIL 725: Political Philosophy
- One Graduate Course from Another Discipline
If approved by the MLS Philosophy Coordinator - PHIL 672: Readings in Philosophy
- Variety of student choice of topics
- By arrangement with a member of the philosophy faculty
- Can be taken for credit more than once with different topics
Culminating Experience: 3 credit hours
- IDS 820: Projects in Liberal or Professional Studies
- A Master’s Thesis or Project in Philosophy
Total Required Hours: 31 Credit Hours
Students completing their MLS program in this concentration will have the following notation on their transcripts:
- Master of Liberal Studies
- Major: Philosophy
Program Contact
Contact Dr. Peter Tramel (785-628-5424) to see if the Master of Liberal Studies with a concentration in Philosophy is right for you. Once you have been admitted to this concentration, please follow the MLS Checklist and carefully read the MLS Student Handbook.