Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts
VCU
Philosophy aims at a deeper understanding of matters that should most concern the human race. Philosophical questions crop up in science, religion, art, morality, politics, medicine and in everyday life. Philosophy Students enrolled in philosophy are encouraged to think seriously about fundamental issues in all these domains and to formulate coherent and well-grounded points of view. Because of its extensive use of critical and analytical reasoning, philosophy equips students for careers in medicine, law, business and other fields that require careful thought and the clear expression of ideas.
Majors intending to pursue graduate studies in philosophy are advised to follow this curriculum.
An undergraduate degree in philosophy is good preparation for graduate study in areas such as law or public administration. Obtain leadership roles in school or community organizations. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are imperative for most careers related to law, politics, or government. Gain experience in fundraising and grant writing techniques. Nonprofit and educational organizations are often funded in this manner. Part-time and summer jobs, internships, and volunteer positions are critical to gaining the experience and skills that employers seek.
- Compliance Manager
- Congressional Aide
- Editor
- Labor Relations Specialist
- Management Analyst
- Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
- Paralegal
- Social and Human Services Assistant
- Social Science Research Assistant
- Technical Writer
- Attorney
- Legislator
- Policy Advisor
- Religious Leader or Chaplain
Telephone: (804) 827-1349
Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu
VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist
Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638
Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.
Completion of associate degree
Minimum GPA of 2.5
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better
- Quantitative Foundations requirement only
- Natural Sciences requirement only
- Yes
- No
- 2.0+ cumulative GPA, 2.0+ major GPA
Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts
Richard Bland College of William and Mary (Associate of Arts)
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY | DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
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Explore | Year 1 |
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Experience | Year 2 |
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MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Attend RBC Orientation.
- Use tutoring to get ahead.
- Schedule an appointment with your Learner Mentor to discuss your degree and class plan.
- Explore GRASP financial aid resources and submit the FAFSA on time.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Get involved with student clubs and organizations.
- Volunteer for service learning or community service projects.
- Learn about the transfer admission process for VCU.
- Review VCU's Philosophy department website for course requirements and possible connections with faculty and peers.
- Register to vote.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Attend cultural events at RBC and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
- Attend VCU's annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
- Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Explore possible career opportunities for Philosophy majors.
- Build a LinkedIn profile.
- Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
- Familiarize yourself with the career services offered at RBC and VCU and explore career pathways on the VCU Career Services website.
- Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Be prepared for academic challenges by meeting with your Learner Mentor and understanding RBC Student Support available.
- Use tutoring to get ahead.
- Explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
- Submit a transfer advising request to the VCU Transfer Center.
- Submit the FAFSA on time.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
- Volunteer for service learning or community service projects.
- Attend a talk or other event sponsored by the VCU Philosophy Department.
- Apply to VCU.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Become familiar with OMSA at VCU.
- Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
- Continue learning a foreign language or make a plan for undertaking that study at VCU.
- Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or Philosophy department-related events.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Find out about VCU REAL and learn about REAL graduation requirement.
- Attend Career & Internship Fairs at RBC or VCU to explore your interests.
- Plan to complete at least two job experiences, (e.g., internships) before your senior year of college.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
- Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
- Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
- Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts
Richard Bland College of William and Mary (Associate of Arts)
Course | Title | Equivalent course | Credits | Requirements |
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Students who earn this associate degree before enrolling at VCU will be eligible for a waiver of VCU's general education requirements. | ||||
ENGL 101 | Rhetoric and Research I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENGL 102 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. | UNIV 111-112 | 3 | General education |
ENGL 102 | Rhetoric and Research II | UNIV 200 | 3 | General education |
MATH | Core courses in Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning (select 1): Math 110 or 121, or Math 151, 200, 217, 224, 251 | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
French or Spanish | Two Courses in Foreign Language as per Placement | VCU equivalents | 6 to 8 | General education |
PHIL 201 | Ancient and Medieval Philosophy | PHIL 103 | 3 | Major |
PHIL 202 | Modern Philosophy | PHIL 104 | 3 | Major |
PHIL 203 | Introduction to Ethics | PHIL 201 | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
Complete general education and elective requirements for associate degree | VCU equivalents | 36 | General education | |
Richard Bland credits transferred to VCU | 60 |
Course | Title | Credits | Requirements |
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Your GPA Doesn't Transfer With You Although you worked hard to earn your grades at your current institution, they will only be considered by VCU for an admission decision. Once you enroll at VCU, your GPA will reset to 0.0, and your new GPA will be determined by your level of success in your classes at VCU. | |||
PHIL 222 | Logic | 3 | Major |
PHIL 490 | Seminar in Philosophy | 3 | Major |
PHIL | Select three of the following with at least one course each from Group A and Group B. Group A: PHIL 320, PHIL 327, PHIL 328, PHIL 335 Group B: PHIL 300, PHIL 301, PHIL 302, PHIL 303, PHIL 304 Group C: PHIL 391 | 9 | Major |
PHIL | PHIL electives (any level) | 6 | Major |
PHIL | PHIL elective (300 level or higher) | 3 | Major |
Upper-level electives (300- or 400-level courses): consider a minor or a second major Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits to graduate from VCU. | 36 | Elective | |
Credits completed at VCU | 60 | ||
Bachelor's degree total | 120 |