Please refer to the Undergraduate Student Handbook for detailed information about the program. The course checklist is available to ensure you take the required classes. Information about the combined BA/MA in Philosophy can be found on the BA/MA page.

Admission to the Program

Admission is through a formal declaration of major. The department counsels freshmen and new transfer students. 

University Requirements

• A total of 120 credit hours 
• 6 credit hours of college writing 
• 3 credit hours of college mathematics or the equivalent by examination 

General Education Requirements

• A total of ten courses, consisting of one foundation course and one second-level course in an approved sequence from each of the five curricular areas 
• No more than 6 credit hours may be taken in the same discipline 

Major Requirements

• 39 credit hours with grades of C or better 

Course Requirements

• 30 credit hours in philosophy and religion, including 9 credit hours in philosophy at the 300 level or above, and up to 9 credit hours in religion 
• 9 credit hours in a single department outside of philosophy and religion, including 6 credit hours at the 300 level or above 

University Honors Program

All University Honors students must complete at least 12 credit hours of advanced-level (300-level and above) Honors courses including a 3 to 6 credit hour Honors Senior Capstone Project. Students may graduate with University Honors in the major if they complete at least 12 advanced-level Honors courses including the Senior Capstone Project in the department. Each department has three levels of University Honors requirements: Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes); Level II Options (300-level and above Honors classes); and Level III Options (Honors Senior Capstone). The department Honors coordinator advises students in the University Honors Program regarding departmental options. For more information, go to www.american.edu/academic.depts/honors/ . 

Combined B.A. and M.A. in Philosophy

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its accelerated bachelor’s/master’s programs. Undergraduate students may complete up to 3 credits for every 9 credits required for the graduate degree that may be applied to the requirements for both degree programs. The department that oversees the graduate program the student enters will determine if the courses the undergraduate student completes will satisfy master’s degree requirements. Bachelor’s/master’s students must complete at least 18 in-residence credit hours at the graduate level after the bachelor’s degree is earned and maintain continuous, sequential enrollment in the two programs. 

This program enables qualified students to earn, in a continuous plan of study, both the B.A. and the M.A. in Philosophy. 

Requirements

• Undergraduate philosophy majors should apply for admission to the B.A./M.A. program by the end of the junior year. Admission is open to undergraduates with a minimum grade point average of 3.00 overall and in philosophy courses. Applications must be accompanied by two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and an academic writing sample. Students should discuss their interest in the program with members of the faculty before submitting a formal application. 
• All requirements for the B.A. in Philosophy 

Undergraduate students may apply up to 9 credit hours of approved graduate-level course work to satisfy the requirements for both degrees. 

• All requirements for the M.A. in Philosophy, including a minimum of 24 credit hours completed in residence in graduate status after the undergraduate degree has been awarded. Students must finish the master’s degree requirements within three years from the date of first enrollment in the master’s program.