B.A. in Biology
Whittier College, located in Whittier, California, offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in ...
B.A. in Philosophy
Whittier, California
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The B.A. in Philosophy at Whittier College encourages students to engage with fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. The program emphasizes both traditional philosophical issues and contemporary applications of philosophical thought. Students can pursue a traditional philosophy major or opt for an "applied philosophy" major, which combines philosophical training with a concentration in another discipline. This allows students to delve deeper into the philosophical foundations and controversies of a specific area outside of philosophy, such as law, ethics, or science.
Curriculum: The Philosophy curriculum is structured to provide a comprehensive exploration of philosophical thought. While specific course lists may vary, typical components include core courses that delve into the history of world philosophies (e.g., Ancient Greek Philosophy, Early Chinese Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, Africana Philosophy, Buddhist Philosophy) and courses focused on key philosophical areas like values, nature, and culture (e.g., Philosophy of Love and Sex, Eco-Philosophy, Contemporary Social Philosophy, Feminist Philosophy). All philosophy majors are required to take PHIL 425: Junior/Senior Seminar in Philosophy, and to complete a Senior Thesis of at least 5,000 words, demonstrating their ability to conduct in-depth philosophical inquiry. For the Applied Philosophy major, students select a significant number of credits from a field of concentration outside of Philosophy, chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor, and a "bridge" course that connects philosophy to their chosen applied field.
Research Focus: Research and the creation of knowledge are central to the Philosophy program at Whittier College. Students are encouraged to engage in rigorous philosophical inquiry and develop their analytical and argumentative abilities. The Senior Thesis, a required capstone experience for all philosophy majors, involves substantial independent research and writing, allowing students to explore a philosophical problem in depth and contribute their own reasoned arguments. Students often collaborate with faculty on research projects, and there are opportunities to present their work at the annual Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (URSCA) conference, showcasing their scholarly achievements. This emphasis on discovery and critical investigation prepares students for advanced academic work or careers requiring high-level analytical skills.
Industry Engagement: While philosophy doesn't lead to a single, specific career, the B.A. in Philosophy at Whittier College develops highly transferable skills that are extremely valuable across numerous industries. The program cultivates critical thinking, complex problem-solving, logical reasoning, ethical consideration, and clear, persuasive communication—abilities consistently sought after by employers. Whittier's Center for Career and Professional Development actively supports students in exploring career paths and securing internships. Although not exclusive to philosophy, the college's strong connections in Southern California offer internship opportunities in diverse sectors like law, business, non-profit organizations, and government. These experiences allow philosophy students to apply their analytical and ethical reasoning skills in practical settings, preparing them for a wide range of professional endeavors.
Global Perspective: A global perspective is naturally integrated into Whittier College's Philosophy program through the exploration of diverse philosophical traditions from around the world. Courses often delve into philosophies from Ancient Greece, China, Africa, and Buddhist traditions, fostering a broad understanding of how different cultures have approached fundamental human questions. This exposure broadens students' intellectual horizons and cultivates cross-cultural understanding. Additionally, Whittier College strongly advocates for and supports study abroad opportunities through its Office of International Programs and the Global Poet Scholarship. While not a direct requirement for the Philosophy major, engaging with different cultural contexts abroad can significantly enrich a student's philosophical perspective and understanding of global thought.
Location
Whittier, California
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 53019
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% or above in their previous academic qualifications.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 80 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 105.
Whittier College offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for international students to help make a high-quality education affordable and accessible. These scholarships reward academic excellence, leadership, and other talents while supporting diversity and global engagement on campus.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students are eligible for merit scholarships based on their academic achievements, standardized test scores, extracurricular involvement, and leadership qualities. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are awarded automatically upon admission consideration or through separate applications.
International Student Academic Scholarships: Whittier College provides dedicated academic scholarships for international applicants, which recognize outstanding academic records from students worldwide. These awards typically range from partial to substantial tuition reductions and are renewable each year based on satisfactory academic performance.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While international students do not qualify for federal financial aid, Whittier College offers some need-based assistance through institutional funds. International applicants must submit a financial aid application along with supporting documents to be considered for these awards.
Specialized and Departmental Scholarships: Certain departments and programs at Whittier may have specific scholarships for international students who demonstrate excellence or interest in particular fields, such as business, sciences, or the arts. These awards encourage students to pursue their academic passions with financial support.
A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Philosophy from Whittier College equips graduates with an exceptionally versatile and powerful skillset, highly prized across a wide spectrum of professions. Beyond the deep engagement with fundamental questions, philosophy majors develop superior critical thinking, logical reasoning, ethical analysis, complex problem-solving, and persuasive communication abilities.
Lawyer / Paralegal: Philosophy is consistently recognized as one of the best undergraduate majors for preparing for law school. The rigorous training in argumentation, logical reasoning, critical analysis of texts, and ethical considerations directly translates to success in legal studies and practice. Graduates can work as paralegals, legal assistants, or pursue a Juris Doctor (JD) to become attorneys.
Management Consultant: Consultants are hired to solve complex business problems. Philosophy majors' ability to analyze issues from multiple perspectives, identify hidden assumptions, and present clear, logical solutions makes them highly effective in this field, advising organizations across various industries.
Policy Analyst (Government/Non-profit): Graduates can work for government agencies, think tanks, or non-profit organizations, researching, analyzing, and evaluating public policies. Their capacity for ethical reasoning and understanding complex societal issues is crucial for developing impactful policy recommendations.
Journalist / Editor / Technical Writer: The emphasis on clear, concise, and persuasive writing, combined with strong research and analytical skills, makes philosophy majors excellent communicators. They can pursue careers in journalism, content creation, editing, or technical writing, translating complex ideas into accessible language.
Human Resources Specialist / Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Professional: Understanding human nature, ethical considerations, and interpersonal dynamics, philosophy graduates are well-suited for HR roles, particularly in areas like employee relations, conflict resolution, and fostering inclusive workplace cultures.
Ethical Advisor / Compliance Officer: With a strong foundation in ethics, graduates can work in corporate or organizational settings to develop ethical guidelines, ensure compliance with regulations, and advise on moral dilemmas, especially in fields like healthcare (bioethics) or business.
Data Analyst / Business Intelligence Analyst: While not a direct match, philosophy's focus on logic, critical analysis, and pattern recognition equips graduates to interpret complex data, identify meaningful trends, and inform strategic decisions in various business intelligence and data-driven roles.
Educator (K-12 or Higher Education): Many philosophy graduates pursue teaching, bringing their love of critical inquiry and intellectual discussion to classrooms. With further education (e.g., a master's or Ph.D.), they can become professors, continuing to research and teach philosophy.
Sales / Marketing Professional: The ability to understand human psychology, persuade others through reasoned arguments, and communicate complex product or service benefits clearly makes philosophy majors effective in sales and marketing roles, particularly in B2B or concept-driven sales.
Entrepreneur / Innovator: The philosophical habit of questioning assumptions, thinking creatively, and identifying novel solutions to problems can be a significant asset for those looking to start their own businesses or drive innovation within existing organizations.
