Philosophy (BA)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2025-Spring 2026 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences
Department: Philosophy 
Academic Plan Code(s): See Track Requirements tab.

Program Information

Philosophy enables students at all levels to think deeply and critically about some of the most fundamental questions of human life. The department's courses engage with the works of great thinkers in the traditions of Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. With a particular strength in interdisciplinary study, Philosophy at the University of Louisville is a keystone that unifies a broad undergraduate education and prepares graduates for a changing world ahead. Philosophy also houses the minor in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) and the Ethics Certificate, as well as the graduate MA in Applied Philosophy and graduate certificates in Health Care Ethics and Diversity Literacy. The Department’s faculty has achieved exceptional research productivity and prides itself on outstandingly high student evaluations.

Completion of the Philosophy degree prepares students with skills of careful reading, clear analytic and persuasive writing, and amicable disagreement.

Degree Summary

Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Accelerated BA Philosophy/MA in Applied Philosophy

The Philosophy Department offers an accelerated degree program for the BA in Philosophy and MA in Applied Philosophy. Students can apply up to 9 hours of credit taken toward the BA (provided the relevant 600-level course requirements are completed) towards the MA degree. The BA/MA is available to students in any track within the Philosophy BA.

Undergraduate students interested in participating in an accelerated dual bachelor’s/master’s degree offered through the university’s Soaring Scholar Program must first meet with their Academic Advisor and be accepted into the program. Once accepted, students will receive an official admission letter outlining program policies and details. They will then work with their department and academic advisor to register for classes each semester, ensuring they meet the milestones and academic progress requirements of the Soaring Scholar program. A Soaring Scholar student is considered an undergraduate student until their bachelor’s degree is conferred. In their final undergraduate semester, they are expected to apply for admission to their respective master's program.

Students must apply no later than the end of their junior year for admission to the accelerated program. A minimum overall GPA and major grade point average of 3.5 will be required for admission to and retention in the program. Students must complete the Graduate School application.

Departmental Admission Requirements

There are no specific admission requirements for the BA in Philosophy.

The Change Major Request form can be found under the Academic Progress tile on ULink.

Admission and Application to the Accelerated BA Philosophy/MA Applied Philosophy

Interested students should apply for admission to the accelerated program by filling out an application with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. The application will be held until the student has completed at least 60 credit hours but less than 90 credit hours (usually in their 6th semester). Advising to ensure the requirements are met without extraneous credit hours is imperative and strongly recommended for timely degree completion and financial considerations for the accelerated degree. Please be sure to consult with undergraduate advisors and the director of the Applied Philosophy MA program. Applicants must meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School and must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or better overall and in the Philosophy major.

General Education Requirements

All degrees require the completion of the University-wide Cardinal Core General Education Program (link provided above).  Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

College/School Requirements

Program/Major Requirements

A minimum of 9 credit hours in Philosophy (PHIL) must be at the 500 level

At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above. 

¹

Completion of the intermediate level of a single foreign language

²

In addition to courses counted toward General Education; 6 hours must be at 300 level or above

³

May be incorporated into other degree requirements

Track Requirements

Track in Bioethics

Academic Plan Code(s): PHILBA_BIO

Pre-Med Science Curriculum Option
The Pre-Med Science Curriculum is required for admission to many medical schools. Bioethics track students may satisfy the track requirements by completing that Curriculum as listed below. It is also recommended that they select a Statistics course to meet the Logic requirement in the major.

Bioethics Track Electives Option

Students who choose not to complete the Pre-Med Science Curriculum may meet the track requirements by completing 35 credit hours from the list below.

Track in Natural Sciences

Academic Plan Code(s): PHILBA_NSC

Track in Social Sciences 

Academic Plan Code(s): PHILBA_SSC

Accelerated BA Philosophy / MA Applied Philosophy

Academic Plan Code APHMA_ACC

Students interested in the BA Philosophy / MA Applied Philosophy program should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Year 3 to apply to the Accelerated Pathway. Successful applicants will identify up to 9 credit hours at the 500-600 level to complete during Year 4 to count towards their current BA and upcoming MA Applied Philosophy degree.

¹

It is strongly recommended that three hours be devoted to each of “theory” and “methods” as defined by a particular social science discipline. Student should seek advising with the departmental undergraduate adviser to determine appropriate courses.

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In addition to courses counted for General Education or college programmatic requirements.

Flight Plan

Track in Bioethics, Pre-Med Science Curriculum Option

¹

Students who have been accepted into the Accelerated BA Philosophy/MA Applied Philosophy should take three electives in the 4th year at the 600 level. Students should meet with the Director of Graduate Studies to ensure that their selected courses will count towards the MA.

Track in Bioethics, Bioethics Electives Option

¹

Students who have been accepted into the Accelerated BA Philosophy/MA Applied Philosophy should take three electives in the 4th year at the 600 level. Students should meet with the Director of Graduate Studies to ensure that their selected courses will count towards the MA.

²

To complete in the hours indicated, Bioethics Track Electives must be selected that will allow the student to also satisfy the Arts & Sciences requirement for hours outside of the division of the degree program.

Track in Humanities

¹

Students who have been accepted into the Accelerated BA Philosophy/MA Applied Philosophy should take three electives in the 4th year at the 600 level. Students should meet with the Director of Graduate Studies to ensure that their selected courses will count towards the MA.

 Track in Natural Sciences

¹

Students who have been accepted into the Accelerated BA Philosophy/MA Applied Philosophy should take three electives in the 4th year at the 600 level. Students should meet with the Director of Graduate Studies to ensure that their selected courses will count towards the MA.

Track in Social Sciences

¹

Students who fulfill other requirements with 500-level PHIL courses may be able to complete General electives 8 and/or 9 as an open elective at any level.

²

Students who have been accepted into the Accelerated BA Philosophy/MA Applied Philosophy should take three electives in the 4th year at the 600 level. Students should meet with the Director of Graduate Studies to ensure that their selected courses will count towards the MA.

The Flight Plan outlined above is intended to demonstrate one possible path to completing the degree within four years.  Course selection and placement within the program may vary depending on course offerings and schedule, elective preferences, and other factors (study abroad, internship availability, etc.). Please consult your advisor for additional information about building a flight plan that works for you.

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan, and which requirements are still outstanding. Degree audits also take transfer credits and test credits into account. "What-if" reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

Flight Planner
The Flight Planner tool is available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan to graduation.  Advisors have access to review your Flight Planner and can help you adjust it to ensure you remain on track to graduate in a timely manner.

To create these reports:

1. Log into your ULink account.
2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
3. Select the appropriate report.
   1. To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
   2. To create a What-if report, click on "What-if Advisement Report."
   3. To run a Flight Planner report, click on "Use My Flight Planner."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report, create a What-if report, or run a Flight Planner report.