Philosophy
| PROGRAM INFORMATION | ||
|---|---|---|
| Faculty: Humanities and Social Sciences | Campus: St. John's | |
| Department: Philosophy | Honours available: Yes | |
| Length: Four years | ||
| Prospective students: Fill out our student inquiry form to receive updates from Memorial. | ||
| Department website | University Calendar | |
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, truth, beauty, law, justice, validity, mind and language. Philosophers aim to understand reality, clarify the nature of interactions between individuals and society, and to come to terms with problems of existence and ultimate value.
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• Admission requirements
• Your first year
• Sample courses and degree map
• Career opportunities
Philosophy at Memorial
Memorial’s Department of Philosophy aims to develop students’ intellectual abilities through examining different answers that philosophers have given to fundamental questions in order to develop a critical and systemic approach toward investigating reality and experience that relies on reasoned arguments.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis. You are encouraged to apply by:
| Intake | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall (September) semester | March 1 |
| Winter (January) semester | Oct. 1 |
| Spring (May) semester | Feb. 1 |
You may apply for admission into the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences by indicating bachelor of arts as your program choice on the undergraduate application for admission. Direct entry into the faculty is subject to your meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University.
You may choose Philosophy as your major at the time of application or you can explore your options and declare a major in a later semester by emailing registrar@mun.ca to make your choice official.
Have a look at a sample schedule of 10 courses you may need to take in your first year of the philosophy program.
This is a sample only. Meet with an academic advisor to create a plan that aligns with your specific needs and goals.
| FALL SEMESTER | WINTER SEMESTER |
|---|---|
| English 1090 (critical reading and writing (CRW) course) |
CRW course |
| first required language study (LS) course1 | second required LS course1 |
| first required quantitative reasoning (QR) course | second required QR course |
| Philosophy 1000-level course | Philosophy 2010, 2020 or 2030 |
| minor program course or elective (breadth of knowledge course encouraged) |
minor program course or elective (breadth of knowledge course encouraged) |
- Both LS courses must be in the same language. If your first language is not English and you do not meet the standards for entry into regular first-year English courses you may use English 1020 and 1021 to fulfill this requirement. Such students are permitted to complete up to an additional six credit hours in English CRW courses at the 1000 level in order to fulfill the CRW requirement.
Further assistance
For assistance with course selection, contact the Academic Advising Centre.
Philosophy degree map
Degree maps are navigational tools, designed to help you make the right choices throughout your bachelor of arts degree. They cover information pertaining to your studies, provide study tips, career guidance, suggestions for involvement, advice on go abroad activities and on your well being.
A bachelor of arts degree, with a major in philosophy, prepares students for a variety of careers including:
- arts consultant
- journalist
- public policy manager
Note: some of these careers may call for supplementary education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential learning or professional courses and exams.