Philosophy Program

Join the conversation on the most basic questions of human existence in the philosophy bachelor’s degree program at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. Start by building a solid background in Western philosophy, with an emphasis on the dignity of the human person, ethical reasoning, and metaphysics. Then deepen your knowledge in particularly important thinkers, texts, and sub-areas of philosophy such as Thomistic traditions, epistemology, and philosophy of science. The foundational nature of Franciscan’s philosophy program makes it ideal for double-majoring in philosophy and another undergraduate program.

A Catholic liberal arts education

Philosophy teaches the Catholic intellectual virtues — for example, the ability to identify the central issue in a discussion, careful argumentation, intellectual humility, representing others fairly, reading charitably — that are at the heart of a liberal arts education. In addition, having strong philosophical foundations in metaphysics, epistemology, and logic is essential for doing good work in theology, which is at the heart of a Catholic liberal arts education. Program faculty members teach from a committed, faithful Catholic perspective that philosophy and religion, reason and faith, far from opposing one another, are mutually enriching.

Here are just a few other ways Franciscan’s philosophy bachelor’s degree program stands out from the rest:

• Financial aid and scholarships: As a philosophy major, you may qualify for program scholarships, such as the Scott & Helen Teepe Endowed Scholarship, United Hearts of Jesus & Mary Endowed Scholarship, and The Paul Nigro Legacy Endowed Scholarship. Visit the Franciscan Office of Financial Aid for details on how to apply.
• Marketable job skills: Franciscan’s philosophy degree program focuses on skills that, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, employers consistently report placing high value on when seeking future employees, including communication, critical thinking, and writing. While majoring in philosophy, you’ll also encounter and grapple with philosophy from Thomistic, personalist, and analytic perspectives within the context of a committed Catholic university education.
• Well-rounded curriculum: Franciscan’s bachelor’s in philosophy degree is not only designed for your intellectual formation but also to prepare you for graduate studies and a successful career. Rigorous and relevant course work includes hands-on training, undergraduate research opportunities and funding, and online courses.
• Study abroad: During your sophomore year, you could complete course work in philosophy, theology, culture and language, and more while studying and living at Franciscan’s campus in Gaming, Austria, for a semester.
• Faithful, caring, and well-trained faculty: All Franciscan philosophy faculty members have the highest degree in their field and have taken the Oath of Fidelity to the magisterium in Steubenville, Ohio. Representing rich intellectual diversity, the faculty members are widely published and recognized leaders in their areas of expertise, including Thomistic philosophy, personalist phenomenology, and analytic philosophy. Special research interests include personalism, bioethics, Thomistic ethics, Thomistic metaphysics, the thought of Kierkegaard and John Henry Newman, analytic epistemology, and philosophy of religion. Majoring in philosophy at Franciscan forms you into a faithful Catholic philosopher with broad horizons by helping you understand and grapple with multiple philosophies and traditions.

With philosophy as a major, you will be prepared for a wide range of career pathways after graduation, including graduate, professional, or law school or ministry. In general, philosophy majors rank among the highest performers compared to other majors on graduate, professional, and law school entrance exams, including the GMAT, LSAT, and the GRE, according to the Daily Nous. Visual Capitalist also reported in 2018 that the philosophy major’s mid-career median salary was $81,200, placing it at No. 16 for majors with the highest paying jobs.

Graduate Programs for Philosophy Majors

• Master of Arts in Philosophy
• Master of Arts in Theology and Christian Ministry
• Master of Arts in Catechetics and Evangelization
• Master of Arts in Catholic Studies
• Master of Business Administration

Potential Job Titles for Philosophy Majors

• Lawyer
• Doctor
• Teacher
• Journalist
• Politician
• Business Owner
• Publisher

View the Philosophy Program on the Undergraduate Catalog