PHIL:BA - Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
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Admissions Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Philosophy
See general university admissions requirements at admissions.fiu.edu
Admissions Requirements for the BA in Philosophy with Honors
This option is open only to Honor’s Program students who are Philosophy majors and who must apply for it during the spring semester of the Junior year.
Eligible students may apply for the Thesis Option by submitting an Honors Thesis Proposal to the department Chairperson provided they have met the following minimal conditions:
(1) they must have a cumulative FIU GPA of at least 3.5,
(2) they must have completed (by the end of that semester) at least five upper division philosophy courses,
(3) they must have completed (by the end of that semester) at least one upper division philosophy in the area in which they intend to write their Thesis, and
(4) they must have identified a faculty member who would be willing to supervise the Thesis and the two three-credit independent study courses which are associated with it.
Students considering pursuing the Thesis Option should read the recommendations regarding Independent Study in the Philosophy Brochure.
Transfer Credits
The Philosophy Department allows a maximum of 15 hours of philosophy transfer credit for a major (6 hours for a minor) subject to the following restrictions: at most one of course , course, or their equivalents may be used to fulfill major requirements, and be counted toward the degree. Such transfer credit can only be awarded by a philosophy advisor, and students who wish to apply for it are advised to discuss their course of studies with an advisor early in their career at FIU.
Academic Progression Requirements
Students admitted to the university are admitted directly to their chosen major. Students are expected to make satisfactory progress based on critical indicators, such as GPA in specific courses or credits earned. In cases where students are not making satisfactory progress, a change of major may be required. Advisors work to redirect students to more appropriate majors when critical indicators are not met.
For a list of all state-approved common prerequisites, including alternatives, visit https://cpm.flvc.org.
No specific courses are required; transfer students are encouraged to complete the Associate of Arts degree.
The following requirements apply to all three tracks.
(i) any course taken to fulfill a requirement for the major may not be taken with the “pass/fail” option (with the exception of , Internship in Philosophy) and must be passed with a grade of “C” or better,
(ii) no more than 6 (six) hours of Independent Study may be used to fulfill major requirements,
(iii) at most, one of or , or their equivalents, may be used to fulfill major requirements, and at most six other hours of lower division philosophy courses may be counted toward the degree,
(iv) after completing at least 24 hours of philosophy courses, all majors are required to take the one hour course .
There are no majors associated with this program.
The General Track is designed to serve students with a broad interest in philosophy.
The remaining 31 hours may include any philosophy courses (except that the requirements applying to all three tracks must be met). Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their course selections with their advisor.
After completing at least 24 hours of philosophy courses, all majors are required to take the one hour course course (Research Paper).
The Professional Track is designed for students considering philosophy as a professional discipline. It is especially appropriate for those considering graduate work in philosophy and those with an interest in a thorough and systematic study of the full range of philosophical thought.
The Professional Track is designed for students considering philosophy as a professional discipline. It is especially appropriate for those considering graduate work in philosophy and those with an interest in a thorough and systematic study of the full range of philosophical thought. After completing at least 24 hours of philosophy courses, all majors are required to take the one hour course course .
Logic/Probability* (3 credits)
Epistemology/Metaphysics (6 credits)
Value Theory (6 credits)
History of Philosophy** (9 credits)
Non-Western Philosophy (3 credits)
Other Philosophy Courses (3 credits)
Philosophy Seminar (3 credits)
Research Paper (1 credit)
(see department for list of courses which satisfy these requirements)
*Neither course nor course fulfills the Logic/Probability requirement for this track; however, one may be included as a Philosophy elective.
**Must include 3 hours in the area of Ancient Philosophy.
The Specialized Track is designed for students who are interested in philosophical reflection on a specific discipline or area such as law, religion, or psychology. It is especially appropriate for pre-law students and for dual majors who are interested in the relationship between philosophy and their other major discipline.
An approved Individualized Plan of Study will meet the requirements for this track. Such plans are designed by the Philosophy advisor in consultation with the student so that they can be tailored to the student’s specific interests and goals. Students pursuing the Specialized Track must secure prior written approval of their course selections from their advisor.
The proposed course selections must present a clear, focused, and coherent plan of study. The Philosophy Program Brochure (available in the Department on either campus) includes several models of such plans of study, including Pre-Law Studies, Western Philosophy and Its Historical Context, Social and Political Philosophy, Philosophy and Religious Thought, Philosophy and Difference, Philosophy and Psychology, and Philosophy and the Arts.
Each such plan must include 34 semester hours, and the courses taken in accord with the plan must be passed with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
After completing at least 24 hours of philosophy courses, all majors are required to take the one hour course course (Research Paper). With the prior written approval of a Philosophy advisor, up to nine semester hours from other programs may be counted toward the 34 hour major.
BA in Philosophy with Honors
A policy for Philosophy majors who wish to exercise the Thesis Option within the Honors College: This option is open only to Honor’s Program students who are Philosophy majors and who must apply for it during the spring semester of the Junior year. To receive Honors via the Thesis Option:
--students must enroll in one three-credit Honors Thesis Independent Study course in Philosophy in each of the Fall and Spring semesters of their Senior year,
--be approved by both their Thesis Advisor (who directs the independent studies) and the Departmental Chairperson.