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94
The percent of Department of Philosophy students hired or enrolled in graduate school within a year of graduating.
250
UW-Stevens Point philosophy degree recipients from 2001 to 2013, more than any UW System university besides UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee.

Spotlight

Associate Professor of Philosophy
In addition to his interests in modern philosophy, Professor Horn maintains an active interest in contemporary analytic metaphysics and philosophy of mind in the fields of modality, causation, free will, philosophy of religion and cognitive science.

A degree in philosophy prepares you for innovative leadership in a variety of fields

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Department of Philosophy can provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in a wide range of career paths: law, higher education leadership, environmental advocacy, human services and ministry, to name just a few. The study of philosophy and religion will help you think logically and critically, deal with ethical questions and communicate effectively across cultural, religious and ideological divides. Along the way, you will explore the history of humanity’s greatest philosophical and spiritual achievements, and the ongoing quest for meaning, truth and inspiration. Our graduates engage the world ready to flourish as global citizens, to assume leadership positions, and to exercise professional adaptability in the face of a rapidly changing world.

Choose from three emphases

The department offers three majors in philosophy:  the major in philosophy, the major in philosophy with an emphasis in environmental ethics and the major philosophy with an emphasis in religious studies. As well, we offer minors in philosophy and religious studies and a certificate in environmental ethics.  

The Major in Philosophy

Philosophy is the systematic study of the enduring ideas and questions that have engaged thoughtful people for millennia such as: “What is the purpose of life?” "What is the nature of reality?" "How do we know what is true?" and "How do we decide what choices are ethical?" As they pursue the big questions, students in Philosophy gain the skills in high demand by today’s employers: the ability to follow complex lines of reasoning, identify presuppositions, evaluate evidence, craft arguments, refute unsupported claims, grapple with ethical dilemmas, and think “outside of the box.” Our graduates with philosophy majors possess the intellectual versatility to succeed in a wide range of professions including law, business, academia, IT, insurance and much more.  

The Major in Philosophy with an Emphasis in Environmental Ethics

Environmental ethics explores questions concerning the values, beliefs and attitudes that influence how people relate to the environment, and trains students to navigate diverse perspectives skillfully, to reflect on the ethics of these perspectives, and to communicate clearly and persuasively about environmental issues. Graduates find employment in the nonprofit sector working for environmental advocacy, conservation, sustainable food systems, alternative energy, and environmental education. 

The Major in Philosophy with an Emphasis in Religious Studies 

Religious studies is the comparative and interdisciplinary study of the world’s religions and the creativity of the human religious imagination.  Because religion is at the core of human culture and is a powerful force shaping human history, the study of religion gives students a broad knowledge of the history of the world and the diversity of human cultures. Graduates in Philosophy with an emphasis in Religious Studies possess key skills employers seek, including critical thinking, lucid written communication, information literacy, the ability to rapidly master new skills, and most importantly, empathetic understanding of human diversity and the ability to communicate effectively across cultural divides. While some graduates pursue careers in ministry, others go on to careers in counselling, higher education leadership, management, teaching, social services, and much more. 

What can I do with a philosophy degree?

In a time when many believe that the path to economic success requires narrow training in one professional field, students of philosophy take "the road less travelled," exploring the big questions while at the same time mastering the skills that are essential for extraordinary success in a wide variety of fields. Philosophy graduates are in demand by employers because of their skills in critical thinking, analytical reasoning, writing, research, ethical problem solving and clear communication in situations characterized by diversity.  All of these skills are portable and transfer across career paths.  These skills open doors to many interesting and profitable careers including law, education, business, human services, and technology industries. Philosophy majors find work that is both personally meaningful and profitable; the median mid-career income of philosophy graduates is $84,000.     
  
A philosophy major is also an excellent choice for those who plan to continue on to graduate school. Philosophy majors are among the top scorers in the exams required for admission to graduate school: the LSAT (for law school), the GRE (for many other graduate programs), and the MCAT (for business and management).  Philosophy majors who go on to graduate school become lawyers, CEOs, librarians, professors, writers and much more.