Western Michigan University | Department of Philosophy

Information for Undergraduate Students:

For an Undergraduate Catalogue, listing degree requirements for all majors and minors as well as college requirements, consult the Registrar.

For estimates on the cost of attending WMU, see www.wmich.edu/finaid/.

For Philosophy Major Form, click here.
For Philosophy Minor Form, click here

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

The requirements for a Philosophy Major and a Philosophy Minor are described below. There are two major programs and two minor programs.

Philosophy Majors:

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

In order to graduate with a major in philosophy, a student must meet the following requirements:

1. A minimum of 28 hours in Philosophy
2. ONE of the following: PHIL 3000, or 3010
3. ONE of the following: PHIL 3310, 3320 or 3330
4. PHIL 4800

The philosophy major is very flexible. Appropriate courses in other departments may be used towards a philosophy major (not a minor) up to a maximum of four hours. Consult with the department chairperson.

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy With a Concentration in Professional and Applied Ethics

Philosophy majors who have a special interest in the study of ethics may have their major identified as a Professional and Applied Ethics Concentration, provided that the following course requirements are met:

1. A minimum of 28 hours in Philosophy
2. ONE of the following: PHIL 3000 or 3010
3. TWO of the following: PHIL 2010, 3030, 3110, 3130, 3140, 3150, 3160, 3310, 3340, 5340
4. PHIL 4100

The remaining credit hour requirements may be satisfied in a variety of ways, subject to the approval of the student's advisor. The student may apply up to four credit hours from an ethics-related course in another department, subject to the approval of the Department of Philosophy.

Baccalaureate Writing Requirement

Students who have chosen either Philosophy major will satisfy the Baccalaureate Writing Requirement by successfully completing one of the following courses:PHIL 300, 301, 310, 332, or 333.

Philosophy Minors:

Minor in Philosophy

A minor consists of at least 15 hours in philosophy. Students who undertake a Minor in Philosophy may choose any Philosophy courses that total 15 credit hours or more.

Minor in Professional and Applied Ethics

This minor requires a minimum of 18 credit hours. Students must complete a minor slip in the Philosophy Department office, and must complete the following courses:

1. ONE of the following: PHIL 3000 or 3010
2. TWO of the following: PHIL 2010, 3030, 3110, 3130, 3140, 3150, 3160, 3310, 3340, 5340
3. PHIL 4100

The remaining credit hour requirements may be satisfied in a variety of ways. The student may complete the minor by doing additional course work within the Department of Philosophy. Any courses, including PHIL 498, are applicable. Also, the student may apply up to four credit hours from an ethics-related course in another department, subject to approval of the Department of Philosophy.

Transfer Credits

Most courses in philosophy at other 2-year and 4-year colleges may be applied to a Philosophy degree at WMU. For detailed information on the current transfer equivalencies, see WMU's transfer equivalencies web page.