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Philosophy Major in Pennsylvania
Are you a questioning person? Do you enjoy thinking about the pros and cons, the whys and why-nots of just about everything? The philosophy Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree program at Messiah University, one of the top private Christian universities in the U.S., explores fundamental issues about truth, ethics, God and human nature, and will help students work out the foundations of their faith and rationally defend it.
Study Philosophy at a Christian University
As a philosophy major, you’ll immerse yourself in an environment of critical-thinking, questioning, reasoning, point/counter-point conversations and deep intellectual thought. As you sharpen your skills, think deeply about the world, life and your Christian beliefs, you’ll be better equipped to more thoughtfully engage our culture and solve its most pressing problems. As a Messiah philosophy major, you’ll share your college experience with other inquisitive students, engaging one another in a careful, systematic investigation of fundamental issues of reality and human experience.
The philosophy major will equip you with the sort of background and intellectual skills that will enrich your life and enable you to rationally develop a distinctively Christian view of the world. The major in philosophy offers intensive training in analytical and critical-thinking skills, a broad historical background in Western thought, and an exposure to non-Western philosophy.
As a philosophy major or minor at Messiah University, you’ll be able to:
- Immerse yourself in an environment of critical-thinking, questioning, reasoning, point/counter-point conversations and deep intellectual thought.
- Study abroad in a semester-long program at Oxford or another university.
- Complete a double major in disciplines such as English, history, computer science, Bible, religion or Christian ministries.
- Join the Philosophy Club, a student-run organization that gives you a change to hear from speakers and discuss issues of importance to you.
- Attend the Philosophy Lecture Series, which presents four major lectures per year on topics pertaining to the Christian faith and the practical application of philosophy.
- Pursue internships such as one at the Religion and Society Center in Harrisburg, which seeks to foster ecumenical conversations and understanding. Other internship opportunities include grant/technical report writing, working in a legal office or working in a senator's or representative's office in Harrisburg.
- Benefit from a low faculty-to-student ratio that lends itself to strong mentorship with professors.
Since the philosophy major only requires nine courses over general education requirements, it is an ideal area of study for double-majoring, which about half of our students do. Past students have double-majored in such diverse fields as Bible, mathematics, history, psychology, business, biology, biochemistry or English. The philosophy minor is designed for students who wish to supplement their primary education in another field with the study of philosophy. It allows great flexibility to explore those areas of philosophy that are of the most interest and benefit to the individual student.
What can you do with a philosophy major? Plenty! Your learning experiences will equip you with the sort of background and intellectual skills employers seek—logical reasoning, reading comprehension, critical thinking, problem-solving and effective communication skills. And did you know that philosophy is considered the best major to pursue if you are considering law school?
As a graduate of the philosophy program, you will be equipped to secure positions such as:
- Graduate student (Law, MBA, Medical, Seminary)
- Grant writer
- Researcher
- Consumer advocate
- Editor
- Technical writer
- Business analyst
- Educator
For more information on career planning for the philosophy program, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
Messiah’s nationally recognized internship program places students in a variety of philosophy internships. A few examples include:
- Helping write or review grants for nonprofits
- Helping write technical reports
- Working in a law office
- Working in a senator’s or representative’s office in Harrisburg
Programs related to Philosophy
In the Philosophy program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Course options for Philosophy:
Philosophy (B.A.)
Philosophy Minor
Careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of this program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
Where they work
- Teach for America
- Carr & Mattes
- PC
- Hoffman Homes for Youth
- Midtown Scholar Bookstores
- Peace Corps
- Lutheran Children and Family Services
What they do
- Lawyer
- Pastor
- Business analyst
- Medical doctor
- Financial advisor
- Paralegal
- Mental health worker
- Teacher
Graduate school
- University of Stirling
- Bethel Seminary
- Brandeis University
- Gettysburg Seminary
- Western Michigan University
- Oxford University
95% of the Class of 2024 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
Meet Alumni from the Department of Biblical, Religious and Philosophical Studies
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.
Faculty and mentors
Your professors—caring and committed Christians—are deeply involved in not only teaching but also in the emerging scholarship and thought of their fields. Your professors will lead you through critical analysis of issues of great cultural significance such as free will, God's relation to the world and to evil, and the nature and origin of morality.