Overview
By pursuing a degree in philosophy at UMN Morris, you’ll be provided rich, well-rounded instruction in philosophy, the pursuit of which is essential to a liberal arts education. As a philosophy student, you will complete a common core of four courses, together with one of four sub-plans. You may pursue philosophy on its own in the standard sub-plan, or combine it with coursework in another field through legal studies, computer and data studies, or philosophy, politics, and economics. Each sub-plan prepares you for a distinct range of careers.
Philosophy, Standard
In following the philosophy standard sub-plan you will study philosophy in its full breadth, with coursework in metaphysics, epistemology, political philosophy, and the history of philosophy from antiquity through the modern period, together with electives ranging from free will and philosophy of mind to environmental and professional ethics. This sub-plan may be especially appealing if you're considering graduate study in philosophy or a related field, or wanting to keep your options open.
Legal Studies
The legal studies sub-plan allows you to hone your critical thinking skills and acquire a solid background in the foundations of law, justice and government. Law school is an argument-driven education, and philosophy is argument-driven training; the Socratic method belongs to philosophy first. Philosophy of Law sits at the center of the sub-plan, joined by further coursework in philosophy and ethics and by courses in constitutional, criminal and international law. For decades, UMN Morris philosophy graduates have gone into law and government. This sub-plan may be especially appealing if you're interested in applying to law school or planning a career in business, politics or public policy.
Computer and Data Studies
The computer and data studies sub-plan combines the study of philosophy, computer science and data science. You will begin with Ethics and Artificial Intelligence and continue with courses such as Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Language, and Epistemology, alongside programming, statistics, and a block in either data science or computer science. By following this sub-plan, you'll be equipped with a range of critical thinking skills, including logical, computational and statistical reasoning—highly prized in today's job market. It may be especially appealing if you're drawn to computing by the questions as much as by the code, or if you're interested in how artificial intelligence should be built and governed.
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
Philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE) originated as a unified field at Oxford University in the 1920s and has since grown into an international movement. At UMN Morris, the PPE sub-plan offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of philosophical, political and economic thought. Through the PPE sub-plan, you will rigorously examine the foundations of social values, political institutions and economic systems, and engage in reflective and informed debate about contemporary affairs and the impact of public policy on human welfare. Coursework begins with Political Philosophy and Principles of Economics and builds out through political science and upper-level philosophy. This sub-plan may be especially interesting if you're planning a career or post-graduate work in business, law, politics or public policy.
Degree Requirements
Graduation Requirements
If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in philosophy, there are certain requirements you must meet to ensure that you graduate. If minoring in philosophy, a different set of requirements apply.
Student Learning Outcomes
By completing a degree in philosophy, you will be able to
- expand your creativity, sensitivity, intellectual courage, open-mindedness, critical-mindedness, logical rigor, and analytical precision;
- contribute to the great conversation with your own considered insights;
- demonstrate a familiarity with major ethical theories and apply them to contemporary moral issues;
- identify, construct, analyze, and evaluate complex arguments; and
- think objectively, debate calmly, speak clearly, and write effectively.
General Education Requirements (Morris Core)
The University of Minnesota and its faculty are committed to providing an education that invites you to investigate the world from new perspectives, learn new ways of thinking, and grow as an active citizen and lifelong learner. The University’s general education requirements (Morris Core) are designed to be integrated throughout your four-year undergraduate experience. These courses provide you an opportunity to explore fields outside your major and complement your major curriculum with a multidisciplinary perspective.
Learn more about UMN Morris General Education Requirements (Morris Core)
Transferring Credit
Put your credits to work for you at UMN Morris, where you’ll earn a degree from a highly ranked public liberal arts university.
Careers and Graduate School
Careers
Many companies prize the skills that are sharpened and honed by majoring in philosophy. UMN Morris philosophy graduates have gone on to pursue a variety of careers, demonstrating the value and flexibility of the major. Some recent examples include:
- Artificial intelligence researcher
- Biomedical ethicist
- Brewmaster
- Fraud analyst
- Journalist
- Law enforcement professional
- Lawyer
- Legislator
- Movie director
- Nonprofit manager
- Professor
- Software engineer
- Teacher
An undergraduate degree in philosophy from UMN Morris is excellent preparation for law school, and as a group, philosophy majors do better on graduate admission tests like the LSAT, GRE, and GMAT than almost any other major. Faculty will also work closely with you to help you figure out which career is right for you.
Graduate School
Many recent UMN Morris philosophy graduates have gone on to graduate school at universities like:
- Stanford
- Harvard
- Notre Dame
- University of Wisconsin
- University of Nebraska
- University of Iowa
- University of Illinois
Costs and Scholarships
Costs at a Glance
The University of Minnesota Morris is a national public liberal arts college committed to making a high-quality education available to students from across the country. Expenses for housing, meals, books and supplies, transportation, loan fees, and personal expenditures can vary.
Use our net price calculator to estimate your cost of attendance
Philosophy Scholarships
All Available Scholarships
Scholarships are a type of financial aid awarded to you and are often based on specific criteria, such as your major, GPA, or financial need.
Research and Engagement
Research
Participating in research or partnering with other students or faculty on a literature or writing-related project allows you to put into practice what you are learning as an undergraduate student. You may even be able to present your work at a national venue. Participating in research through an international exchange or study-abroad program may be another option as a philosophy student. Serving as a research assistant to a faculty member may be another option for you. Regardless, you’ll have access to—and help from the philosophy faculty in obtaining funding for—programs that allow you to take advantage of these opportunities.
Research Opportunities for Students
The Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS) offers students an opportunity to present research plus scholarly and creative work. Types of presentations include posters, oral presentations, and short or abbreviated theatrical, dance, or musical performances.
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) provides University of Minnesota undergraduates from every college, major, and discipline, the opportunity to partner with a faculty member on research or creative projects.
The University of Minnesota Morris offers the Morris Academic Partnership (MAP) program, in which faculty select academically talented, qualified second-year and third-year students to assist them in scholarly and creative projects. Selected MAP students undertake assignments intended to enhance their intellectual competence and increase their interest in graduate or professional study.
National Student Exchange (NSE) provides an opportunity for students to enhance their Morris education by "studying abroad domestically." Through NSE students have the chance to attend another university in the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands for a semester or academic year.
Midwest Philosophy Colloquium
Midwest Philosophy Colloquium Schedule
Every year, the UMN Morris philosophy discipline hosts the Midwest Philosophy Colloquium, where distinguished speakers come to campus and speak on topics of general interest. This is another opportunity to engage with the study of philosophy—and a unique advantage you’d have as a philosophy student at UMN Morris.
49th Annual Midwest Philosophy Colloquium: "The Philosophy of the Trump Administration."
Talk title: "The Dark Enlightenment and the Trump Administration"
Joseph Porter, Associate Teaching Professor, University of Colorado, Boulder's Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization
Abstract: The New York Times and other media outlets have recently drawn attention to the so-called "Dark Enlightenment" as an influence on the Trump administration. But philosophers and political theorists have almost entirely ignored Dark Enlightenment thinkers like Curtis Yarvin in their scholarship. In this lecture, Joseph Porter will explore some major ideas of the Dark Enlightenment—including the Cathedral and running the government like a start-up—and examine their potential influence on the Trump administration.
Talk title: "The Political Philosophy of the Vice President of the United States: Two Puzzles"
- Donald Davidson
- Saul Kripke
- Fred Dretske
- J.L. Mackie
- Gilbert Harman
- Alvin Goldman
- John Searle
- Stephen Stich
- Philip Kitcher
