Philosophy is the discipline that dares to ask big questions. “How ought we to live?” “How should society organize itself?” “What is human knowledge, and what are its limits?" “What is the nature of reality?” As a philosophy major, you’ll gain the tools you need to think critically—and seriously—about such questions. You’ll learn to evaluate rational arguments, engage in meaningful debate, and cultivate your own philosophical position.
Our faculty will ground you in both the continental and analytical traditions, while our smaller discussion-focused seminars will expand your worldview and challenge your perspective. Your studies will also include service-learning courses, internships, external lectures, and study tours that connect you with Boston’s rich intellectual history and robust academic community.
Everything leads up to the Senior Symposium, where you and your classmates will present your research to faculty and alumni. When you graduate, you'll be more than ready for law school, graduate school, or a career in journalism, politics, research, medicine, or law.
Students in our Philosophy program will:
You won’t just study your major—you’ll experience it through hands-on learning opportunities.
Our curriculum provides students with a solid foundation in ancient philosophy, modern philosophy, logic, and ethics. From there, you can tailor your degree to fit your interests with electives ranging from the philosophy of art and feminism to environmental ethics, bioethics, and existentialism.
We also feature courses outside the western tradition, including Chinese philosophy, Buddhism, Africana philosophy, and Native American religion. In advanced seminars, you can delve into the works of the great philosophers—Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Heidegger, Wittgenstein, and others—or take a topical course like Truth, Lies, and BS, Advanced Formal Logic, or Ecofeminism.
View the Philosophy Major Curriculum
Enrich any undergraduate major with a philosophy minor. Through two required courses and three electives of your choosing, you’ll ponder enduring questions, concepts, and works while sharpening your critical thinking and communication skills.
View the Philosophy Minor Curriculum
Many philosophy students choose courses, minors, or double majors in areas that will complement their skills such as:
Discuss the nature of being and other philosophical questions over coffee with your fellow students and professors. The Philosophy Society gathers weekly to attend lectures, discuss readings, and host guest speakers, taking full advantage of both the Suffolk and Greater Boston philosophical communities. As a member, you'll make connections with your peers, your professors, and other leading scholars in the field.
At Suffolk, you’ll immerse yourself in other perspectives and traditions by participating in events with our robust global, cultural, and affinity organizations. You’ll have ample opportunity to apply the knowledge you learn in class – from crafting compelling arguments as a member of our competitive debate, mock trial, or model UN teams to reflecting inwardly during yoga and meditation sessions at our Interfaith Center.
We encourage our philosophy majors to study abroad, and students gain tremendous insight from their experiences in Rome, Florence, London, and other international destinations.
As a senior, you’ll participate in the Department's annual symposium, a lively dialogue and discussion of ideas. Following the same procedures as the Dialogues of Plato, students each deliver a speech on a philosophical argument or idea, followed by responses from classmates. Themes are chosen in advance. Previous topics include:
The symposium represents the culmination of your studies at Suffolk and includes a capstone paper developing your philosophical position.
Our faculty will work with you one-on-one to explore your interests and prepare for a rewarding future. Whether you want to pursue a full-time position or apply to law or graduate school, we will help you gain the skills and self-knowledge you need to feel confident in your next step.
As a graduate of our program, you’ll apply critical reasoning to help address real-world challenges. Interning at nonprofits, government agencies, think tanks, and other sites during your time here will help you build experience and refine your goals for the future.
Suffolk’s Center for Career Equity, Development & Success will also help you further explore career options, plan your path, and land your dream internship or job. You’ll find practical help, like how to write an effective résumé or LinkedIn profile, along with valuable connections to leading employers and successful alumni.
Here's a sampling of recent graduates’ current job titles and employers.
Our graduates go on to pursue graduate studies and law degrees from prestigious institutions, including Cornell University, Boston University, Northeastern University, Suffolk Law School, and Case Western Reserve University.
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