Program: Philosophy, BA - East Carolina University

Mar 31, 2025

2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog

Program Coordinator: John Collins (335-A Brewster Building; 252-328-6112; collinsjo@ecu.edu)

Philosophy is the study of the fundamental nature of morality, knowledge, logic, and reality. Its ability to develop critical thinking skills is unmatched. The bachelor of arts degree in philosophy provides excellent preparation for

jobs that require critical and constructive thinking, including administration, consulting, editing, journalism, management, public service, ministry, research – and business, institutional, nonprofit or political leadership;
professional training in fields as diverse as law, library science, management, medicine, nursing, and clinical psychology;
graduate programs in fields closely related to philosophy, such as computer science, theology, and political science; and
graduate programs in philosophy (which can lead to employment in universities and colleges as well as in corporate, nonprofit, and government organizations that require skills of research and analysis that are developed by advanced study in philosophy).

Because today’s world is changing so rapidly, most students will probably have several different kinds of jobs during their working careers, including jobs we can’t even yet imagine. Training for specific jobs in fields in which there may be little demand after ten or twenty years will not serve your long-term interests as well as the transferable knowledge and skills you will develop through the study of philosophy.

The flexibility of this degree allows for major courses to be begun as late as junior year, and to be paired with any other major (for a double-major) and with any minor. A pre-law concentration is available, but not required.

Minimum degree requirement is 120 s.h. of credit as follows:

1. General education requirements - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit see General Education Program .)

2. Demonstrated foreign language proficiency through level 2004 - 12 s.h.

(For information about the foreign language requirement see Special Requirements for the BA Degree and Placement Testing, Foreign Language.)

3. Core - 30 s.h.

Choose a minimum of 12 s.h. of PHIL above 2999.

The department encourages majors to enroll in junior-senior courses as soon as they are eligible.

4. Pre-law concentration - 21 s.h.

(optional)

Choose 9 s.h. from the following:

Note:

Pre-law concentration philosophy (PHIL) courses may also count toward the required core courses.

5. Minor and electives to complete requirements for graduation.

Licensure/Certification Requirements in North Carolina

The curriculum for all ECU academic programs have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for licensure/certification exams in North Carolina. The various licensure boards in each state are responsible for setting requirements for licensure/certification in their state. Other states have their own requirements, and you’ll want to make sure your program meets criteria in your home state (or state where you intend to work) before you apply. Search our state Licensure Dashboard to see if the program you’re interested in meets the educational requirements for licensing/certification in your home state (or state where you intend to work).