How to select an area of emphasis for a philosophy degree?

In the United States, a philosophy degree is considered one of the liberal arts degrees. At the undergraduate level, a philosophy degree involves four years of study leading to a bachelor’s degree. At the graduate level, a master’s degree in philosophy is usually a two-year program of study, and a doctorate degree is usually a four- or five-year program of study.

Broadly speaking, philosophy is divided into several major subsections: epistemology, ethical theory, logic, metaphysics, and political philosophy. Students will usually select one of these categories as an area of academic emphasis. College courses in philosophy, in addition to core curriculum courses, will generally require that the student complete a certain amount of course work in each of these areas. In addition, courses in ancient philosophy, such as the ancient Greeks, and continental philosophy, which refers to the European philosophic tradition, are required. Some universities may also require completion of courses on eastern philosophy. Upper division courses generally require a good deal of writing assignments, such as essays, research papers, or thesis projects.

There are a number of philosophic traditions, sometime referred to as schools of thought, which are collected under the rubric of western philosophy. American pragmatism, German idealism, empiricism, rationalism, phenomenalism, existentialism, and Platonism are just a few examples. In addition, many historically significant philosophers, such as Plato, Descartes, Kant, or Nietzsche have philosophic schools named after them or derived from their work. Students pursuing graduate studies in philosophy will usually select one these areas of specialization. To complete their graduate degree in philosophy, students are usually required to write an extensive piece of original research and provide an oral defense of their thesis.

Philosophy courses typically demand a high level of writing skills and the ability to think critically, such as the ability to articulate, construct, and deconstruct arguments. Philosophy majors often have a strong interest in other fields of study, such as history, psychology, literature, and jurisprudence.

An undergraduate philosophy degree will prepare students for further graduate study or for a career in journalism, writing, education, or civil service. For those interested in pursuing a career in legal work, a background in philosophy, which emphasizes analytical skills, will introduce them to a number of argumentative strategies.