Program Details
BA in Philosophy
Bachelor of ArtsUniversity of Mary Washington
Do you wrestle with the questions that seem to have no answers: what is truth? What is the nature of existence? What is free will? If so, philosophy--the love of wisdom, the science of argument--might be the major for you. Our bachelor's program teaches you to think critically, communicate clearly, and be open to opposing views--rich skills for all fields. Explore introductory logic and ethics, ancient Greek philosophy, and early modern philosophy. Then choose from additional courses covering medieval philosophy; social and political philosophy; aesthetics; feminism; existentialism; phenomenology; practical, medical, or environmental ethics; Hinduism, Buddhism, and Daoism; Asian and comparative philosophy; 20th century philosophy; Freud's greatest hits; and in-depth examinations of Plato, Aristotle, Hume, Kant, Hegel, Marx, and Nietzsche.
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes A minimum of 120 credits are required; all general education, intensives, and major requirements must be met. Thirty-one of the 120 credits must be completed at UMW. Fifteen of your last 21 credits must be earned on campus. You must have an overall and major GPA of 2.00. The restrictions below apply to the BA/BS degrees:
*Only 8 cr in debate comm/consulting practicum *Only 8 credits in THEA 390 will count *Only 12 credits of private music will count *Only 10 credits of ensemble music will count *One 100-level BIOL sequence will count
*BLST/PORT classes do not count toward the degree *Only 9 credits of overlap allowed between double majors This Degree Evaluation is an advising tool to be used in consultation with your major advisor and staff in the Offices of the Registrar and Academic Services. It is not the final approval for degree completion. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | |
| Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between University of Mary Washington and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completing the appropriate transfer degree through VCCS allows students to enter the university as a junior with nearly all general education requirements satisfied. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students earning an associate degree while in high school are not eligible for guaranteed admission programs and must complete 3 college specific general education courses. All courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | UMW accepts AP, IB and CLEP results for college credit if the scores earned meets college expectations. Enter your test scores into the portal to see if scores will earn credit. |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | UMW is a perfectly sized university of 3,700 undergraduates that blends opportunity with community. Set in Fredericksburg, our park-like campus for both residential and commuter students is located fifty miles south of Washington, DC and fifty miles north of Richmond, VA. Fredericksburg is one of the most southern final stops on the Virginia Rail Express (VRE) which has allowed convenient commuter access to DC for internship experiences while studying at UMW. Founded more than 100 years ago, UMW currently offers 80 majors, minors, and programs through our College of Business, Colleges of Education, and College of Arts and Sciences. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Declare intent to transfer to UMW by completing the “GAA Student Letter of Intent form” available at the Office of Admissions website after a minimum of 15 credits towards the transfer associate degree is completed at the community college and before applying for graduation from the community college |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Global Religions and Cultures | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Philosophy | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BA in Philosophy and Religious Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BS in Philosophy and Religious Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1126.00 | Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete