Undergraduate programs in

Philosophy

Philosophy is the major of presidents, prime ministers, and even a pope. Students who have majored in philosophy have served as Supreme Court justices and cabinet secretaries. They are entrepreneurs and CEOs, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors and Academy Award-winning actors and directors.

Philosophy is the study of wisdom, and it addresses problems and questions that affect all aspects of human existence: the fundamental nature of truth, the meaning of law and justice, the foundation of ethics and morality, the processes of science, the role of the state and religion, the value of art, and the origin of knowledge.

Philosophy majors score better than most other majors on the admission exams for graduate school (GRE), business school (GMAT), law school (LSAT), and medical school (MCAT), and their earning power consistently ranks near the top among humanities majors.

Program Highlights

  • Take philosophy courses as part of an interdisciplinary program such as technology and public policy, urban ecology, criminology and forensic studies, sustainability, or public affairs. There is also a philosophy concentration for pre-health majors.
  • Want to explore a philosophical topic? Take an online tour of our offerings in Ethics.
  • Our colloquium series features regional and international speakers and topics like “How biology is changing our politics,” “Does evil exist?” and “The value of humanism.”
  • Events such as “Ask A Philosopher,” “Reasoning Evening,” “Philosophy in Film,” invite students and faculty to share ideas in an informal setting.

Why are philosophers so successful?

Philosophy gives you training in life-long skills that do not become outdated. They give you the ethical and conceptual foundations for many areas of life and are applicable to many professions. 

Philosophy profile image

Consider a major in Philosophy because ...

  • Philosophers are exceptionally good at analyzing and synthesizing complex information.

  • The content of philosophy is relevant to everyday life. Just as our mobile devices need operating systems, we need moral operating systems. We all have opinions about morals and values, but philosophy gives us a firmer grasp of the foundations of ethical values such as freedom, individuality, community, and the meaning of life, and how they work together.

  • Philosophers excel at “critical thinking” and “thinking outside the box.” Philosophy is both scientifically informed and relevant to important developing areas of modern life, such as neuroscience, public policy, and computer software design. 

Majors and Programs

Hofstra offers two types of Philosophy degrees. In addition, many of our students pick up a double major in another subject area related to their future plans. Through courses in ancient, modern, and contemporary philosophy, you will become a creative problem solver who can make sense of complex information in a modern world.

In addition to our majors, we offer a Philosophy minor as well as minors in Ethics; Philosophy of LawPhilosophy, Society and BusinessCognitive Science; and an interdisciplinary minor in Data Analysis and Scientific Reasoning.

See our current course offerings

BA in Philosophy

The BA in Philosophy is a broad-based liberal arts degree that is good preparation for a wide range of careers including law, journalism, business, medicine, cognitive science, neuroscience, medicine, and computer science. Students pursuing this degree can pick up a minor or concentration that focuses on law, applied ethics, cognitive science or business.

BS in Philosophy

The BS in Philosophy degree is focused on philosophical areas that are relevant to another professional, technical or scientific discipline. This degree differs from the BA program primarily because it requires students to complete more requirements in a discipline outside philosophy, either through a double major or a minor.

BA in Pre-health with a concentration in Philosophy

This degree develops the same skills as the BA in Philosophy, but the program includes all the courses needed for medical school. This program is designed for pre-med students who want a broad liberal arts background, in addition to preparing for medical school.

Accelerated Programs

LEAP (Legal Education Accelerated Program) is an accelerated six-year BA/JD program. Hofstra's is one of few such programs in the New York metro area. This 3+3 program allows students to complete requirements for both the bachelor of arts and the juris doctor at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law in just six years. Students interested in this path may also consider a Philosophy of Law minor.

Beginning for the 2024-2025 academic year, Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Lawrence Herbert School of Communications will offer accelerated programs that allow students to earn their undergraduate degree - in areas such as Philosophy - and complete their MA in Journalism.

In the Classroom

Learn from the Experts

Your professor are distinguished scholars who are actively engaged in research and have a broad range of specializations including ethics, metaphysics, and the philosophical studies of mind, language, knowledge, environment, mathematics, law, and science.

The Outlook

In a survey of recent alumni: 

  • 100% of respondents in this major reported that they were employed or attending or planning to attend graduate school within six months of graduation.

  • 100% of those alumni reporting employment responded that they landed their positions within six months of graduation.

  • $49K was the mean annual reported salary for social science alumni following their first year after graduation.

Senior Assistant

Erica Bosco
(516) 463-5612
104A Heger Hall
Email

Department Chair

Amy Baehr 
Professor 
(516) 463-6013
211 Heger Hall
Email