Applied Philosophy Major
Bethel's philosophy major is small and flexible, which means you can study abroad, graduate early, or pair philosophy with a second major to broaden your career options. You'll be trained to think critically and analyze carefully, skills that transfer to almost any career. Our graduates go on to success in law, business, nonprofit work, or graduate school, where philosophy majors consistently score highest (or nearly highest) on entrance exams like the GRE. But what really sets us apart is how we study the profound questions of philosophy, looking at answers from a variety of traditions and giving you the chance to come up with your own, all integrated with a distinctly Christian perspective. Our professors are passionate about teaching, so they love taking the time to debate, discuss, and dialogue with you.
What can I do with this degree?
- Graduate school in philosophy, including Ph.D.s at universities such as Yale, Emory, Marquette, and Minnesota.
- Law school: some of our alumni work at private law firms and in government.
- Other graduate programs, from theology to counseling to kinesiology.
- Thrive in the business world, including US Bank, Optum, and Securian Financial.
- Advance non-profit organizations, such as Wycliffe, Lifetrack Resources, and ACR Homes.
What skills will I develop?
- Excellent writing and research
- Oral communication
- Critical reasoning skills: the ability to recognize and assess arguments or claims
- Creativity: the ability to approach problems in new and interesting ways
What unique experiences or opportunities will I have?
- Spend a semester abroad studying philosophy (for example, at Oxford University)
- Present a paper at an undergraduate philosophy conference
- Have a paper published in an undergraduate philosophy journal
- Participate in Philosophy Club events at Bethel
- Serve as a teaching or research assistant for a philosophy professor
93%+
of recent alumni say their studies enhanced their writing, critical thinking, and research abilities
11
full-time faculty in the department
