Philosophy
Undergraduate Programs
Why Study Philosophy?
Learn how to think logically, systematically, and critically about your most fundamental beliefs, attitudes, and values, which will apply to many fields, such as business, law, medicine, and science.
Philosophy students learn to think logically and critically and to communicate clearly. Philosophy courses emphasize critical analysis, problem-solving, the formulation and evaluation of arguments, and clear expression of ideas, both orally and in writing. The major and minor introduces students to a range of traditional philosophical issues and provides an opportunity to read carefully the works of some of the greatest thinkers in history. The certificate programs allow students to focus on specific areas within philosophy by taking four thematically linked upper division philosophy courses. The certificates allow non-majors to focus on a specific area within philosophy, and provide an opportunity for majors and minors to delve deeply into one area. Philosophy is excellent training for all careers and graduate programs. Philosophy students score among the highest of all majors on the LSATs, GREs, and GMATs, and, along with other humanities majors, among the highest on the MCAT. Philosophy majors have historically had among the highest acceptance rates into medical school, law school, and business school.
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Which Program is Right for You?
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
The major introduces students to a range of philosophical issues and provides an opportunity to read the works of some of the greatest thinkers in history.
VIEW Bachelor of Arts DETAILS →Minor in Philosophy
Earning a minor in Philosophy will develop your skills in critical analysis, problem-solving, and forming and evaluating oral and written arguments. You will get a foundation in the history of philosophy as well as in logic and ethics. A minor in philosophy pairs well with any field that requires being able to think logically, systematically, and critically, such as business, law, medicine, science, and computer science.
VIEW Minor DETAILS →Certificate in History of Philosophy
This certificate is useful for students looking to gain a strong background in the history of philosophy, and particularly for students who aim either to pursue graduate study in philosophy, ancient studies, Asian studies, or history or seek employment in fields with a strong humanities orientation, such as journalism, international relations, publishing, and education.
VIEW Certificate DETAILS →Certificate in Philosophy of Mind and Psychology
This certificate is useful for students looking to gain a strong background in understanding the nature of the mind and the philosophical foundations of psychology as well as their relations to fields such as computer science, artificial intelligence, information systems, cognitive science, cognitive and social psychology, and neuroscience, and particularly for students who aim to pursue graduate study or seek employment in these and related fields.
VIEW Certificate DETAILS →Certificate in Philosophy, Ethics, and Values
This certificate is useful for students looking to gain a strong background in understanding the nature of ethics, ethical theory, and what makes things have value more generally, and particularly for students who aim either to pursue graduate study or seek employment in ethics-related fields, such as philosophy, law, public policy, bioethics, medical ethics, or AI ethics.
VIEW Certificate DETAILS →Certificate in Philosophy, Law, and Politics
This certificate is useful for students looking to gain a strong background in the philosophical foundations of law, legal studies, political theory, and public policy, and particularly those students who aim to attend law school or pursue graduate studies in fields related to law, policy, or politics, or who plan to seek employment in these fields.
VIEW Certificate DETAILS →Certificate in Philosophy, Logic, and Science
This certificate is useful for students who are looking to gain a strong background in the philosophical foundations of various sciences, logic, scientific reasoning and methodology, and particularly for students who aim to pursue either graduate studies or a career in science, computer science, artificial intelligence, information systems, logic, medicine, or education.
VIEW Certificate DETAILS →Tuition, Scholarships & Financial Aid
UMBC works to provide students with adequate need-based funding.
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Contact Information
UMBC Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation Contact Information
Mailing Address
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
and Orientation
1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore, MD 21250
OFFICE LOCATION
Albin O. Kuhn Library
on the lower level next to Library Pond
Admissions Staff
410-455-2292
Available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
admissions@umbc.edu
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