What Can Y'all Do With a Philosophy Degree? [18+ Job Options]

philosopher statue

For thousands of years, philosophy has provided an intellectual framework for humankind'south almost profound questions. In academia, philosophy is the study of knowledge and human existence, and leads those who practice it to ask questions similar:

  • Who are we?
  • Why are nosotros hither?
  • Why exercise we believe what nosotros believe?
  • what should we do with our time?

Philosophers (those who study and nowadays on philosophical ideas) consider fundamental conundrums that circumduct around concepts like:

  • Correct and wrong
  • Truth and falsehood
  • The meaning of life
  • the nature of man existence
  • The reality in which we live

The formal report of philosophy requires a significant measure of discipline. Philosophy students must demonstrate skill in analytical, systematic, and critical thinking, as well equally keep their minds open to new or unfamiliar systems of thought. Putting philosophical ideas into context requires the study of history, sociology, and fifty-fifty globe cultures; therefore, there is a strong research component to this field of report.

Earning a bachelor's or master's caste in philosophy tin prepare graduates for a wide range of careers that align with the analytical, investigative nature of philosophical written report. Possible careers that align with a philosophy degree include constabulary, teaching, ministry building, finance, or public service, to name a few.

Types of Philosophy Degrees

Equally with whatsoever liberal arts discipline, philosophy degrees are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In fact, PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy, which is the highest academic degree one tin can earn in any field except medicine or theology, and attests to the graduate's ability to contribute original enquiry to their field.

In a philosophy bachelor'south degree program, students learn the basic principles of logic and reasoning while building their skills of analysis, disquisitional thinking, written and oral communication, and constructing logical arguments. After earning their undergraduate degree in philosophy, many people go on to pursue legal studies, seminary, a PhD, or a Master of Business concern Assistants .

A philosophy master's degree plan will farther hone the skills developed in an undergraduate program while introducing more circuitous theories and concentrations, such as aesthetics, political philosophy, ethics, or the philosophy of organized religion. Virtually master's programs culminate in a capstone project or thesis newspaper.

A doctorate , or the same Dr. of Philosophy , is the highest academic degree available in the discipline. This program focuses primarily on dissertation, wherein the educatee will bear original research and nowadays their findings on a topic of their choosing. Additional exams, graduate seminars, and language proficiency may be required. Upon completion, graduates will be eligible to teach at the university level.

The faculty of any university philosophy department is an excellent resource when it comes to determining which degree track is best for your goals. Alumni can likewise offer invaluable advice on choosing degree programs, internships, and concentrations, depending on your career objectives and interests.

Top 18 Careers For Philosophy Graduates [Plus Bacon Data]

Earning a philosophy degree tin can open up endless career opportunities in almost every field. Positions in teaching, law, and the clergy are common for philosophy caste holders, but graduates who enter the fields of wellness care, business, marketing, and even financial services are not unusual.

Because of this wide array of possibilities, there is no definitive salary range for someone with a philosophy caste. Co-ordinate to Payscale, the average salary for a person with a bachelor'due south degree in philosophy is $72,000 a twelvemonth with extremes on either end. Even so, many philosophy degree holders feel more a 100 pct salary increase by the middle of their careers.

Here is a breakdown of some of the careers available to a philosophy degree holder, with the average bacon i can expect in each field. Bear in mind that the majority of these professions crave boosted schooling and training beyond a bachelor's (or even master's) degree in philosophy.

Career Category Boilerplate Bacon
Business concern

Entrepreneur, analyst, C-suite executive, business consultant, etc.

 $73,677
Clergy

Minister, priest, rabbi, deacon, youth minister, etc.

 $99,700
Counseling

Mental wellness, meditation, spirituality, etc.

 $75,905
Education

Professor, secondary schoolhouse teacher, religious teacher, etc.

 $77,115
Financial Services Professional person

Accountant, wealth management, investor, etc.

 $162,096
Foreign Services Officer $95,742
Health Care

Md, nurse, medical specialist, hospice, etc.

 $79,224
Human Resource $106,538
Labor Relations $162,440
Constabulary

Lawyer, paralegal, gauge, etc.

 $115,820
Marketing

Advertisement, public relations, strategist, graphic designer, etc.

 $148,490
Media

Announcer, public relations, consultant, media correspondent, news anchor, etc.

 $82,154
Nonprofit Sector

Assistants, fundraising, grant author, etc.

 $78,253
Public Policy $158,350
Publishing $52,447
Enquiry

Historian, curator, etc.

 $58,080
Social Work $72,347
Writing

Author, journalist, copywriter, technical writer, etc.

 $52,440

Source: Salary.com

What Skills Does a Philosophy Degree Help You Build?

An academic philosophy program requires that students develop fundamental skills that will aid them succeed in their coursework and the professional person world. Philosophy students develop the ability to:

  • Write and speak clearly and effectively
  • Behave diligent enquiry
  • Organize research and presentation materials
  • Cite their work
  • Manage their time well
  • Work independently
  • Have initiative on projects
  • Adapt to changing circumstances
  • Remain flexible
  • Work well with others or equally part of a team

While most philosophy programs don't include concrete instruction in a specific career, students tin develop crucial, hard-to-teach skills that volition be invaluable in their professional careers. Ofttimes called "soft skills," these are the skills that can brand the difference between being a job applicant and a new hire.

Upon graduation, students with a philosophy degree are able to:

  • Use critical thinking to form their own opinions on challenging topics
  • Analyze research to decide the best approach
  • Place and solve problems creatively and effectively
  • Synthesize complex topics and present them succinctly
  • Generate original ideas
  • Distinguish subtle differences between things without overlooking similarities
  • Formulate logical and compelling arguments
  • Take an objective view of opposing positions
  • Predict consequences of various actions
  • Make decisions based on careful and logical analysis
  • Suggest alternative approaches or courses of action
  • Interpret and assess various thoughts and theories

Advanced Degrees for Philosophy Graduates

People who've earned their available's caste in philosophy may be unsure what to practise side by side. Since a philosophy degree does not guarantee a specific career, further schooling may be required. Hither are the most popular advanced degrees chosen past philosophy majors:

Juris Medico (JD)

This is the minimum degree required to practice law in the U.S. It is considered a professional degree, every bit opposed to a research or bookish degree, since information technology prepares graduates for a specific line of non-bookish work. Philosophy students who excel at logic and reasoning, ethics, and the development and defense of coherent arguments oft keep to earn their JD and obtain their lawyer's license.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Since this degree tin can utilise to any field besides medicine and theology, many philosophy majors will choose a PhD program to deepen their knowledge in a specific subject, such as English or chemistry. A PhD requires original enquiry and the defense of an original statement, two skills that are prioritized in philosophy. A philosophy major who wants to become a professor in any subject area volition need to earn a PhD.

Principal of Concern Assistants (MBA)

Excelling in analysis, creative problem solving, and distillation of information are crucial for business professionals, which tin can include entrepreneurs, investors, or executives. An MBA program offers specialties in areas similar business concern ethics and human resources, ii of the many aspects of concern that leverage philosophical reasoning skills.

Main of Theological Studies (MTS), Divinity (MDiv), or Ministry (MMin)

Though these degrees prepare students for dissimilar career tracks, they are all concerned with the study of religion and how information technology impacts humanity. Students examine questions of religion, homo existence, divine presence, and morality — concepts that are tightly intertwined with and informed past philosophy. (In fact, these degrees often require a background in philosophy, such equally a available'south caste.) Whether condign a government minister, religious educator, or spiritual advisor is the goal, any of these degrees are an ideal fit for someone with a foundation in philosophy who wishes to build a deeper intellectual connection to their organized religion.

Frequently Asked Questions: Philosophy Careers

Q. What jobs tin can I get with a philosophy degree?

A. Since a philosophy degree program does non concentrate on a specific field, the career options are nearly endless. Philosophy degree holders are oftentimes ideally prepared for careers in pedagogy, law, ministry building, business organization, writing, or research.

Q. How long does a philosophy degree accept?

A. Depending on the level of the degree program, a philosophy degree can take anywhere from ii to 4 years. Bachelor's degrees typically have four years; master'southward degrees typically take two; and doctorate programs can take equally few as 4 and every bit many as eight years, depending on the area of study and previous degrees earned.

Q. Which graduate programs adopt a philosophy undergrad degree?

A. Whatsoever advanced degree that focuses on philosophy may stipulate that applicants have earned at to the lowest degree a bachelor's degree in philosophy. Theological or religious degree programs — such as a Chief of Theological Studies , Master of Divinity, or Main of Ministry — prefer that applicants have an academic groundwork in philosophy.

Q. What does a philosopher do?

A. In a professional person chapters, philosophers tin write books and papers, nowadays lectures, conduct research, and teach courses on philosophy. While few people make a career as a philosopher today, the versatility of the discipline translates to many dissimilar careers.

Q. How much can I brand with a philosophy degree?

A. Since a philosophy caste is non designed to pb to a specific career, the available careers and salaries can vary widely. For example, a philosophy degree graduate tin enter nonprofit assistants and make $40,000 a year, or earn their Juris Doctor and brand over $120,000 a year as a lawyer.

Q. How does a philosophy caste connect to a theology degree?

A. Theology grapples with existential questions of religion, morality, and purpose, and therefore shares significant crossover with philosophy. Since theology is the academic study of religion, it requires extensive research and writing, as well every bit the ability to interpret theoretical texts and form compelling arguments. Since it incorporates so many of the aforementioned elements of philosophy, a master'south degree in theological studies is an ideal next pace for the philosophy graduate who wishes to pursue a faith-related career.

If you lot are interested in pursuing an avant-garde degree after earning your bachelor'southward degree in philosophy , a higher advisor can help you identify your next steps. The University of San Diego offers a range of on-campus, online, and hybrid degree programs that benefit from a groundwork in philosophy, including a Principal of Theological Studies , a Master of Business organization Administration , and a Juris Doctor , among many others.

Connect with a USD advisor today to accept the side by side step toward your hereafter.