Why Major in Philosophy?
Do you have a subject that you are interested in learning about that crosses more than one discipline? Students majoring in the Bachelor of Philosophy degree work with a faculty mentor to develop an individually tailored undergraduate major; this enables them to pursue academic discovery unavailable through traditional majors and program concentrations.
The BPHIL program is appropriate for students who are highly self-motivated and whose intellectual or artistic approach requires work beyond the scope or disciplinary method associated with otherwise available majors.
An intercollege faculty committee working through Penn State’s Office of Undergraduate Education administers the BPHIL degree program. The mentor need not be a member of the committee. The intercollege faculty committee is responsible for admitting students, annually examining the progress of all students in the program, and approving the completion of degrees based on the certification made by a faculty mentor and the successful presentation of an appropriate capstone at a BPHIL seminar or other approved forum.
Complementary Minors and Certificates
Students can incorporate minors into their course of study, finding the combination that best compliments their BPHIL focus. Students should discuss their minor choice(s) with a faculty mentor.
Graduation and Beyond
Students in the BPHIL program are given the rare opportunity to choose a unique combination of study and innovation in order to prepare for a specific career path while still in school. Since students are able to tailor their BPHIL experience, students graduate with knowledge, research exploration and experience in their chosen field. Graduates are positioned to complete a degree at the master’s or doctorate level.
