To earn a degree in philosophy at NAU, you must complete at least 120 units of coursework, which we describe in the sections that follow:
at least 35 units of liberal studies requirements. Be aware that you may not use courses with a PHI prefix to satisfy liberal studies requirements.
at least 36 units of major requirements
at least 16 units of language requirements
elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units
Be aware that some courses required for your degree may have prerequisites that you must also take. Check the courses in the appropriate subject. (You may be able to count these prerequisites toward your liberal studies or general elective credit.)
Please note that NAU requires that at least 30 units of the courses you take for your degree must be upper-division courses (those numbered 300 and above).
Finally, please note that you may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement; however, you must still meet the total of at least 120 units to graduate. Contact your advisor for details.
You must complete the following 36 units in philosophy:
PHI 203 or 223 (3 units)
PHI 240 and 241 (6 units)
3 units from PHI 320, 321, and 323
PHI 325 or 357 (3 units)
one of PHI 340W, 341W, 342W, and 343W, each of which meets NAU’s junior writing requirement (3 units)
PHI 414C, which meets NAU’s senior capstone requirement (3 units)
15 additional units, of which 12 must be in upper-division courses (courses numbered from 300 to 599) (If you are considering graduate education in philosophy, we recommend that you take PHI 301.)
Advisors in the Department of Philosophy will work with you to prepare for any specific career you might have in mind. Where it is reasonable to do so and with the advisor’s and chair’s approval, it is possible to substitute or supplement courses from outside philosophy to count in the philosophy major. These substitutions may not exceed a total of 6 units.
You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or by testing out of all or part of it by taking CLEP exams arranged by NAU’s Counseling and Testing Center. Click here for more information.
Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren’t used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)
For the sake of career preparation, students typically use their elective courses to enhance their general education, to complete a minor or emphasis (not required), or to pursue an additional major. A sample of ancillary areas of study for philosophy majors have included pre-law, pre-MBA, pre-medicine, pre-ministerial, journalism, and computer science, but we encourage you to develop a group of courses on the basis of your interests and abilities.
Click here for more information about Philosophy courses and faculty.