Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

Bachelor of Arts
Roanoke College

The study of philosophy examines certain unavoidable questions for human existence: "What does it mean to be a human being?" "What is the best kind of life to live?" "What is the difference between right and wrong?" "Is life meaningful or meaningless?" "What is truth?" Being a good philosopher does not mean having ready-made answers to these questions but having the ability to ask and answer them self-consciously, self-critically, and with clarity and consistency. The Philosophy program at Roanoke College teaches the core skills of analytic reading, thinking, and writing, which involve breaking down ideas, discovering their interrelation, and evaluating their worth in such a way that they may be clearly communicated to others.

Outcomes

1: Students will be able to engage with questions of ultimate meaning. We will apply an evaluation rubric testing for engaging in questions of ultimate meaning. 2: Students will be able to reflect critically on their path of learning. 3: Students will be able to distinguish types of sources (primary from secondary; insider from outsider) and their value. 4: Students will be able to engage in sophisticated analysis and synthesis of texts, objects of analysis, argument, material culture.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree This major emphasizes careful reading and analysis of philosophical texts and requires a senior thesis on a topic of the student's choice. This work is excellent preparation for students whose career paths will require problem solving, ongoing learning, and skills of persuasion (e.g., law, business, politics).
Considerations When Selecting Courses

Useful courses for transfer credit: any philosophy courses. Transferring some foreign language courses will help students finish that college requirement faster.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Roanoke College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree Because of the small number of courses required for the major, it is easy for students to study abroad and/or pursue an additional major, minor, or concentration.
Program Successes & Highlights You will learn to think well and destroy your rivals with your superior acumen. You will also never look at the world the same again. This major will change everything for you.
Program Credit Requirements
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Credit and Course Requirements for the Program are expected in a future release. Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

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.
If you are interested in the cost of attending this institution, please visit the institution's cost page to review costs
Applicable Admissions Agreements
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The table below lists admissions agreements between Roanoke College 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.

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Courses completed as part of an associate's degree or general education certificate will be evaluated by our Registrar at admission, and appropriate transfer credits will be awarded. Nearly all general education requirements can be completed with transfer credits.

Transferrable courses from an accredited college or university will apply to general education, major, and graduation requirements. UCGS and Passport courses will all transfer.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Transferrable courses from an accredited college or university taken as dual enrollment while in high school will apply to general education, major, and graduation requirements. Up to three additional World Language courses can satisfy the language requirement. UCGS and Passport courses will all transfer.
Credit for Prior Learning In general, Roanoke does not offer credit for prior learning outside of higher education coursework. Military training transcripted by an accredited institution of higher education is accepted.
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Roanoke College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
90
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
The average enrolled transfer student has a college transfer GPA of 3.12, and 58% of transfer applicants are admitted.
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Roanoke has about 2000 students, mostly undergraduates. Classes are small, averaging 17 students, with a real commitment to teaching and supporting students. Expect close personal interactions with faculty and staff members who get to know you. Active athletic and recreational opportunities are part of the college as are a wide range of student clubs and activities.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance. VCCS transfer students may choose a catalog from the two years prior to their first term of attendance if desired.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year for freshmen is determined by first semester of attendance.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Expected transfer students should notify the admissions office as soon as possible, so we can provide advice on courses which will transfer.
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Hollins UniversityBA in PhilosophyBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Eastern Shore Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate in Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies MajorAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Arts Degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Art degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Art2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeGeneral Studies, A.S.AssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Northern Virginia Community CollegeLiberal Arts, A.A.AssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online
Rappahannock Community CollegeAA&S Degree in Arts and SciencesAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Arts & Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Southside Virginia Community CollegeAssociate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Arts - Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearOnline
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Science - General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearOnline
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Arts Degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Sweet Briar CollegeBachelor of Arts in PhilosophyBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Major in PhilosophyBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Major in Philosophy, Concentration in Pre-Seminary StudiesBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Major in Philosophy, Concentration in Studies in ReligionBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
University of LynchburgBA in PhilosophyBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Arts in PhilosophyBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
George Mason UniversityPhilosophy, BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
William & MaryPhilosophy - Bachelor of ArtsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Old Dominion UniversityPhilosophy-BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityPhilosophy, Bachelor of ArtsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityPhilosophy with concentration in Ethics and Public Policy, Bachelor of ArtsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityPhilosophy with concentration in Philosophy and Law, Bachelor of ArtsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityPhilosophy with concentration in Phlisophy and Science, Bachelor of ArtsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityNursing Pre Licensure (BSN)BachelorBachelor of Science Nursi4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegePhilosophy (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
University of LynchburgBA in Criminology-PhilosophyBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
University of LynchburgBA in Philosophy-Political ScienceBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
25-1126.00Philosophy and Religion Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach 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
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 134 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Plan Name Not Provided at Roanoke College
These costs are based on an estimated 8 semesters or 4 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $18,020 Per Semester $144,160 $0 $144,160 This list price is for full time enrollment, per semester. Almost all students receive financial aid, creating a lower net price. The most recent average net price in our federal report is $14,585 per semester.
Fees
Technology Fee $420 Per Semester $3,360 0 $3,360 For students living on campus, this fee increases to $565.
Student Activity Fee $345 Per Semester $2,760 0 $2,760 For full time students, per semester
Wellness Fee $104 Per Semester $832 0 $832
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Tuition & Fee Notes:
  • Additional fees
    • Additional fees may include: $150 one time orientation fee, $150 parking fee per year.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.