Hot Online Philosophy Degrees For 2024

If you’re interested in pondering the deep questions of life and searching for answers, then getting an online philosophy degree might appeal to you.

In a bachelor’s degree in philosophy programs, you’ll study the development of philosophical thought over the ages and the influence of various paradigms on the modern world.

In the process, you can refine your critical thinking skills and develop your ability to craft a well-reasoned argument. Your growth in these areas could be beneficial in a wide variety of fields, including law, education, and leadership.

Philosophy Degrees Online

Philosophy is a discipline in which students study some of the deepest, most thought-provoking issues for humans.

You can wrestle with matters related to existence, knowledge, faith, ethics, and the world. This degree may appeal to college students who want to be critical thinkers with a broad skill set that could apply in many different career settings.

Topics covered in a philosophy program often include:

• Ethical decision-making
• History of Philosophy
• Logic
• Major Western philosophers
• Persuasive writing
• Religion
• Research

While philosophy studies can be useful for a variety of careers, many colleges also encourage students to explore a secondary discipline. Complementary studies can prepare students to apply philosophy concepts in a specific sector.

This can be accomplished by selecting a minor, a degree concentration, or several elective courses. The available options may relate to healthcare, law, science, or women’s studies.

Philosophy degrees can be useful for many different lines of work. Graduates tend to work in business, community service, education, law, or communications. Some philosophy majors pursue work as marketing specialists, reporters, nonprofit managers, technical writers, communications directors, or business analysts.

You might even decide to further your education after completing a philosophy degree. One option is to get a master’s or a doctorate in philosophy. Those degrees could lead to career opportunities in academia. Some philosophy majors go on to law school and become lawyers.

Bachelor of Philosophy Careers & Salaries

Majoring in philosophy won’t lock you into any one career track. Rather, this degree could provide a foundation that’s useful in many different areas.

Philosophy students do a lot of reasoning and writing. These skills could equip you for a variety of jobs that focus on communication. Examples of positions in this field include author, technical writer, and journalist.

The soft skills acquired in a philosophy program could also be useful in the business world. Public relations and marketing are business specialties that may be especially good fits for philosophy graduates.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professionals who work in communication occupations earn an average annual salary of $61,310.

Careers	Annual Median Salaries
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers	$141,490
Postsecondary Philosophy and Religion Teachers	$76,160
Technical Writers	$74,650
Social and Community Service Managers	$69,600
Writers and Authors	$67,120
Market Research Analysts	$65,810
Public Relations Specialists	$62,810
Paralegals and Legal Assistants	$52,920
Clergy	$51,940
Reporters, Correspondents, and Broadcast News Analysts	$49,300

The above salaries represent national averages, and some of the positions require additional education. People who study philosophy often care deeply about social or political matters. They may want to channel those passions into careers in nonprofit work or community service.

Philosophy and religion have a lot in common. For a person of faith, a philosophy degree could lead to a graduate degree in ministry. Philosophy studies are useful in the legal world, too. With additional training, graduates may become paralegals or lawyers. Further education can also help graduates become philosophy professors someday.

Philosophy Bachelor’s Curriculum & Courses

Online bachelor’s degrees in philosophy tend to include topics like ethics, reasoning, and the development of philosophical thought. Here are examples of the types of courses you may take:

• Ancient Philosophy: This history course will acquaint you with past philosophers, such as Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato.
• Ethics and Philosophy: You’ll discuss common understandings of right versus wrong and how those concepts relate to philosophy.
• Existence and Knowledge: This course may cover some of the most fundamental questions in philosophy, such as, “What is reality?” and, “What can we really know?”
• Foundations of Philosophy: An introductory class will provide an overview of philosophical ideas, and you can build on those introductory concepts throughout your college career.
• Framework of Logic: In this course, you’ll study the rules of logic and learn to identify logical fallacies.
• Modern Western Philosophy: Your modern philosophy course will pick up where your ancient one left off—perhaps beginning with Renaissance thinkers and moving through others like Locke and Kant.
• Plato: Although you’re sure to cover Plato during your course on ancient philosophy, you can study him more in-depth in a class centered around his teachings.
• Politics and Philosophy: You’ll explore topics like equity and liberty as you ponder the influence that philosophical principles have on political leadership and the quest for power.
• World Religions: Courses on world religions often cover major monotheistic religions, such as Christianity and Islam, as well as Asian religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
• Writing in Philosophy: You’ll practice composing well-reasoned arguments and presenting them in written form.

Some schools suggest choosing a minor or a concentration to enhance your skills related to a specific field in addition to philosophy.

BA in Philosophy Admissions Requirements

Admissions committees often consider a variety of factors when deciding whether to admit applicants to a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy program. You may be required to submit:

• Completed application form and fee
• Letters of recommendation from teachers or work supervisors
• Official high school transcripts
• SAT or ACT test scores (if required)

If you are a transfer student, you’ll also send in transcripts from all the colleges that you have attended.

Online Degree in Philosophy Accreditation

Throughout the world of higher education, it’s pretty much an accepted fact that decent, credible schools hold accreditation. That means that they’ve been reviewed and approved by an outside agency that knows what a thorough education entails.

The most widely regarded form of accreditation is regional accreditation. To rest assured that you’re earning a reputable degree, it’s beneficial to choose a college that is regionally accredited.

Accreditation can prove itself valuable time and again. Accredited courses may be the only ones that transfer to other schools or qualify for grad school admissions. Hiring committees may also regard accredited degrees more favorably.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

If you qualify, financial aid programs can help with paying for a philosophy online degree. While most students don’t get a full ride to school, many do secure financial aid packages. Government financial aid includes both state and federal assistance. Depending on your financial situation, you may be able to get grants or loans.

Scholarship funds may contribute to your aid package as well. Some scholarships come directly from a college, while other scholarship funds are administered by private organizations. Scholarships are often awarded to students based on merit.

Is Philosophy a Useless Degree?

No, philosophy doesn’t need to be considered a useless degree. If you’re searching for a program that develops your soft skills and has relevance for a variety of in-demand sectors, philosophy might be the degree path for you.

Some graduates become social and community service managers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 15% growth rate for this position over the next decade. Others go into technical writing. Technical writers are expected to see 12% growth over the next ten years.

For market research analysts, another career option with potential for philosophy graduates, a 22% growth rate is expected.

What Can You Do with a Philosophy Degree?

There is a variety of options for what you can do with a philosophy degree. Philosophy graduates often find that their skills are useful for many different types of work. Because of their communication abilities, some philosophy majors become public relations specialists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, PR professionals often work for schools, government agencies, or private businesses.

Other philosophy graduates go into writing. They become newspaper journalists, book authors, and technical writers. Some choose to get paralegal training so that they can work in law offices.

Others go to law school. Market research is another possible line of work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that market researchers often work as consultants.