Philosophy Programs FAQ

What is philosophy?

Philosophy is the pursuit of a meaningful life through rational inquiry. In philosophy, we tackle the really BIG questions about politics, religion, morality, truth, reality, and human flourishing.  The truth is, you already do some philosophy or hold philosophical views in your everyday life - you have beliefs about whether God exists, what persons are, the difference between knowledge and opinion, and what actions are right or wrong.  In at least some of these cases, you have thought about reasons for your beliefs, and how your positions on these matters might have changed.  Philosophy classes will reflect on such views in a more careful, more formal manner, and they will expose you to different ideas and arguments you won't have considered before, as well as increase your ability to reflect and think critically about the reasons for holding your beliefs. Want more? Here is a well-done crash course video. The series consultant was Professor Ruth Tallman, a very fine graduate of our philosophy program who now teaches philosophy for a living.

Speaking of making a living… what can I do with a philosophy degree? 

You can do almost anything that requires critical thinking skills and asks you to tackle complex questions. The truth is that the vast majority of people now switch careers multiple times over their working lives.  The skills you learn in philosophy are extremely portable and valued by employers. Here at FHSU we’ve graduated future lawyers, teachers, bank executives, software engineers, non-profit administrators, pastors, university professors, and more. See Philosophy is a Great Major for scientific data about the economic prospects of philosophy majors after graduation and, even better, check out the alumni profiles on our webpage. 

What if I already have a degree and career, but I’m drawn to philosophical questions, should I still apply?

Absolutely! A sizeable portion of our students fit into this “enrichment” category.   Having families, problems, jobs, failures, etc. are life experiences that often deepen and clarify our philosophical reflections. Many of our majors are double majors and have taken non-traditional routes through college, and life. 

What if I want to take a few classes, but not major? What should I take?

Lots of people from all walks of life are interested in exploring philosophical questions in depth, but not going so far as to major. Consider basic courses like PHIL120: Introduction to Philosophy or PHIL340: Ethics, or perhaps something related to your other interests or major (e.g., future nurses take Bioethics and those considering law school take Philosophy of Law).

Is the Bachelor of Philosophy degree available entirely online?

Yes! We are one of a very small handful of legitimate philosophy degree programs available entirely at a distance. Beware… some universities claim to offer a philosophy major online but they are actually more akin to watered down sociology classes.  Get more of your questions about online learning at FHSU answered.

How do I declare a major or minor in philosophy? 

It is easy! Just call or email the department chair, Dr. Carl Miller (cemiller@fhsu.edu, 785.628.4249) with your Tiger ID # at hand.

How do I transfer in philosophy credits from a previous institution? 

Once you are admitted to FHSU, you will send your transcripts to the Registrar’s Office, which coordinates the transfer and articulation process. If you have specific questions about how or whether a particular philosophy class you took somewhere else will transfer into the FHSU major program, contact your advisor or the department chair, Dr. Carl Miller (cemiller@fhsu.edu, 785.628.4249)

How fast can I complete the entire major program? 

This depends on each student’s individual circumstances and how many classes they can reasonably take in a semester.  Most students will transfer in some courses and take a couple of years to complete the degree.  Other students can only take one course per term and thus progress more slowly.

What certificates are available, and how do I complete one?  

We currently offer all three certificates on-campus and online (General Philosophy, Moral and Political Philosophy, and Philosophy of Religion). Once you’ve successfully completed 9 credit hours in the respective program you can contact the department to be awarded the certificate. Find the certificate that's right for you.

I come from a spiritual background and/or I’ve taken religion courses at another college. How is a philosophy class different?

In philosophy, no belief or view is sacrosanct. Arguments from reason are the discipline’s bread and butter, so doctrines arising purely from religious authority or scriptural sources are not acceptable. Of course, major religions and theological traditions are sources of great human wisdom and often advance their position using reasoning. Such views in philosophy classes are judiciously explored using careful argumentation and respectful debate.  If you are particularly interested in such questions, you can take one of our Biblical Studies classes, or perhaps World Religions. Really interested? Explore our pre-theology track.

How do I find out who my advisor is? 

Your primary major advisor is listed on your myFHSU worklet in Workday account and in TigerEnroll. Or you can call the department at 785.628.4249 with your Tiger ID # in hand.

What is the tiered writing program?

All majors in philosophy will progress through a step-by-step writing curriculum aimed to teach them the key skills and dispositions of the program.  As you take more philosophy courses, you will be asked to write progressively more challenging papers, culminating in a capstone research project in the semester before graduation.

What is the senior thesis, and when can I start?

Senior Thesis is the capstone TIER III writing project for all philosophy majors and represents the culmination of your work in the program. The two-semester cycle begins with PHIL498, a one credit course where you propose and progressively refine a suitable research topic. PHIL499 is a two-credit course taken in the following semester where you then research, write, and orally defend a scholarly position.  You may begin the process in the spring or fall semester. Contact your advisor to learn more

What if a philosophy course I want is full? 

The core classes for the major program are offered regularly. You can find more information about upcoming courses on our webpage under the “Course Offering Matrix”. If you are a major and you need a philosophy class the instructor may agree to add you in above the cap, but this is not guaranteed. Call the department office 785.628.4249 or the instructor to see if this is possible.

Can I take PHIL 490: Topics in Philosophy more than once?

Yes! As long as the subject matter is different, you may take as many 490 courses as your heart desires.

How do I propose an independent study in philosophy? 

Talk to a philosophy professor who you think might be interested in guiding you or one whom you enjoyed working with on another class. Propose your idea. You will need the professor's final approval to register in the class!

I’m primarily an on-campus student but the course I want is only offered online. Can I take it?

Yes!

How do I get started?

Your first step is to apply for admission

The applications are split between Undergraduate Freshman or Transfer Student, Applying for Re-entry, International Student, and Graduate Student. You can apply for re-entry if you have previously taken courses at FHSU.

Do I really have to take 10 credit hours of a foreign language? Even if I am already employed or have a Bachelor of Science degree in another field?