Philosophy (B.S. or B.A.)
Why Study Philosophy at NIU?
Philosophy is the investigation of enduring and foundational questions about ourselves, the world and society, such as: What is real? Does God exist? Is the mind separate from the body? Do we have free will? What can we know, and how can we know it? What is the difference between right and wrong? Is morality objective? Why should we act morally? What is justice, and why does it matter?
If you’ve ever contemplated these questions, you’ve dabbled in philosophy. Philosophy requires thinking very hard about very difficult questions. Thinking hard is not easy, but it is deeply rewarding. We offer an undergraduate major leading to either a Bachelor of Arts degree or a Bachelor of Science degree, allowing you maximal flexibility in tailoring your program of study to your intellectual interests.
Careers with a Philosophy Degree
There are a variety of rewarding careers available to you as a philosophy graduate. Those who enter the workforce directly after graduation from college are most frequently employed as:
- Barristers
- Civil Service fast streamers
- Health service managers
- Local government officers
- Marketing executives
- Newspaper journalists
- Psychotherapists
- Recruitment consultants
- Solicitors
- Stockbrokers
Philosophy Faculty
Visit our Faculty page to learn more about the professionals who make up our Department of Philosophy.
Hands-on Learning Opportunities
You’ll have the opportunity to earn either degree with departmental honors. In addition to the major, our department offers a program of study leading to a minor in philosophy, which is a rewarding complement to nearly any major. Our minor in philosophy coordinates the undergraduate certificate of study in applied ethics, and it participates in the minor in cognitive studies.