Sep 03, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Philosophy Major

(33 credits)

The philosophy major provides students with an awareness of critical thinking, an appreciation of ethical reasoning, and the power of logical analysis. Students will explore logic, the study of correct or valid reasoning, ethics, the study of morality and value, aesthetics, the study of the nature of beauty and art, epistemology, the study of knowledge; and metaphysics. The study of philosophy prepares students for continuing education in law, theology, the humanities, journalism, research, management, and a variety of graduate programs.

REQUIRED COURSES (24 credits)

Core courses (15 credits)

PHIL 105 - Introduction to Logic 3 Credits
PHIL 201 - Ethics and the Good Life 3 Credits
PHIL 330 - Ancient Philosophy 3 Credits
PHIL 335 - Modern Philosophy I 3 Credits
MST 401 - Seminar in Multidisciplinary Studies 1-3 Credits

Epistemology/Metaphysics/Philosophy of Science (3 credits)

One course selected from the following (3 credits)

PHIL 409 - Philosophy of Science 3 Credits
PHIL 418 - Metaphysics 3 Credits
PHIL 420 - Theory of Knowledge 3 Credits
PHIL 424 - Minds, Machines, and Cognition 3 Credits

Social and Political Philosophy (3 credits)

One course selected from the following (3 credits)

PHIL 316 - Political Philosophy 3 Credits
PHIL 324 - Feminist Philosophies 3 Credits
PHIL 325 - Philosophy of Law 3 Credits

Ethics and Applied Philosophy (3 credits)

One course selected from the following (3 credits)

PHIL 302 - Medical Ethics 3 Credits
PHIL 353 - Environmental Ethics 3 Credits
PHIL 401 - Ethical Theory 3 Credits

Electives (9 credits)

Three PHIL courses, at least one of which much be a 300-/400-level PHIL course; one elective course may be taken outside Philosophy with approval from the Philosophy Undergraduate Advisor.

Degree Map

This program has the following minimum GPA requirements: 2.00 overall GPA

Fall 1st Year

ENG 101 - Freshman Writing I 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Communication | Credits/Units 3
Foundational Studies: Social and Behavioral Science | Credits/Units 3
Foundational Studies: Quantitative Literacy/Mathematics | Credits/Units 3
Elective | Credits/Units 3

15 Credits

Spring 1st Year

ENG 105 - Freshman Writing II 3 Credits
PHIL 201 - Ethics and the Good Life 3 Credits
Elective: | Credits/Units 3
Foundational Studies: GPCD | Credits/Units 3
Elective | Credits/Units 3

15 Credits

Fall 2nd Year

PHIL 105 - Introduction to Logic 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Laboratory Science | Credits/Units 4
Foundational Studies: Fine and Performing Arts | Credits/Units 3
Major Elective | Credits/Units 3
Elective | Credits/Units 3

16 Credits

Spring 2nd Year

Foundational Studies: History | Credits/Units 3
Foundational Studies: Literary Studies | Credits/Units 3
Elective | Credits/Units 3
Elective | Credits/Units 3
Elective | Credits/Units 3

15 Credits

Fall 3rd Year

PHIL 330 - Ancient Philosophy 3 Credits
PHIL 409 /PHIL 418 /PHIL 420 /PHIL 424 | Credits/Units 3
Foundational Studies: Junior Composition | Credits/Units 3
Major Elective | Credits/Units 3
Elective | Credits/Units 3

15 Credits

Spring 3rd Year

PHIL 335 - Modern Philosophy I 3 Credits
PHIL 316 /PHIL 324 /PHIL 325 | Credits/Units 3
Foundational Studies: UDIE | Credits/Units 3
Elective | Credits/Units 3
Elective | Credits/Units 3

15 Credits

Fall 4th Year

MST 401 - Seminar in Multidisciplinary Studies 1-3 Credits
PHIL 302 /PHIL 353 /PHIL 401 | Credits/Units 3
Elective | Credits/Units 3
Elective | Credits/Units 3
Elective | Credits/Units 3

15 Credits

Spring 4th Year

Foundational Studies: HIP | Credits/Units 3
Major Elective | Credits/Units 3
Elective | Credits/Units 3
Elective | Credits/Units 3
Elective | Credits/Units 2

14 Credits

For more information on 15 to Finish please visit https://learnmoreindiana.org/college/succeeding-incollege/graduating-on-time/

Indiana State University’s priority date for filing the FAFSA is April 15. Students must earn 30 credit hours each academic year in order to maximize financial aid from the state of Indiana. Details about how to apply for financial aid, eligibility criteria, and awarding rules are available online at https://www.indstate.edu/financial-aid/apply. Students may view their specific financial file by logging into the MyISU Portal at https://portal.indstate.edu/ISU/login.

Program Description and Career Resources: https://www.indstate.edu/academics/undergraduate/majors/philosophy

3 Year Degree Map

The 3 year degree plan is available for the students meeting the following requirements:

Student is an incoming freshman to the on-campus program
English placement score into ENG 105/107 or GH 101 & GH 102
Math placement directly into Quantitative Literacy category

Fall 1st Year

ENG 105 - Freshman Writing II 3 Credits
PHIL 201 - Ethics and the Good Life 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Communication | 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Quantitative Literacy | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

18 Credits

Spring 1st Year

Foundational Studies: History | 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Fine & Performing Arts | 3 Credits
Major Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

18 Credits

Summer 1st Year

Foundational Studies: Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: GPCD | 3 Credits

6 Credits

Fall 2nd Year

PHIL 330 - Ancient Philosophy 3 Credits
PHIL 409 /PHIL 418 /PHIL 420 /PHIL 424 | 3 Credits
Major Elective | 3 Credits
Major Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

18 Credits

Spring 2nd Year

PHIL 335 - Modern Philosophy I 3 Credits
PHIL 316 /PHIL 324 /PHIL 325 | 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Literary Studies | 3 Credits
Major Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

18 Credits

Summer 2nd Year

Foundational Studies: Lab Science | 4 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

7 Credits

Fall 3rd Year

PHIL 302 /PHIL 353 /PHIL 401 | 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Junior Composition | 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: HIP | 3 Credits
Major Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

18 Credits

Spring 3rd Year

MST 401 - Seminar in Multidisciplinary Studies 1-3 Credits
Foundational Studies: UDIE | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 2 Credits

17 Credits