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A group of Drake Philosophy students engage in a lively discussion at the start of class

Philosophy Major

The questions you’ll ask and answer are just the beginning of your journey into philosophy.

College of Arts & Sciences | On-Campus

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What You'll Learn

 

The range of questions humans—and philosophers—ask about our existence is as old as thought itself.

The answers, though, are up for constant examination.

As a Philosophy major at Drake University, you’ll contemplate your beliefs, conduct, and the world through research, interdisciplinary collaborations, and community outreach in preparation for careers in fields as diverse as science, art, technology, and law. This approach fosters an understanding of the presuppositions underlying the main areas of human inquiry, an awareness of the reasonable answers to the ultimate questions individuals ask themselves, and the ability to reflect critically upon your own convictions.

Your studies will encompass a range of philosophical topics, including ethics, Western and non-Western traditions, religion, science, and more that give you the tools to analyze and evaluate arguments. Dynamic teaching techniques ask you to bring your own relationship to lessons into the learning process. And because philosophy enriches how you explore other disciplines, the Department encourages you to add a complementary major.

About the Philosophy Major

  • Small class sizes mean you’ll build relationships with the faculty who teach you.
  • Undergraduates routinely participate in faculty research.
  • Internships, travel seminars, and our annual interfaith youth camp provide regular opportunities for you to explore your interests and build leadership skills.
  • Be part of a major that lends itself to big questions asked in other programs, including artificial intelligence and World Languages and Cultures.

Program Facts

  • On campus
  • Full-time
  • 120 total credits; 33 credits for the major
  • Philosophy minor: 18 credits

Program Options

As a Philosophy major, you’ll get to know each of the faculty members in our small department. And they’ll get to know you, as you work together to build a personalized program that focuses on your curiosity, critical reflection, and career interests.

B.A. in Philosophy

A philosophy degree gives you a deeper perspective of human relations, law, literature, the social sciences, religious studies, and theology. You can build a concentration in mind, language, and knowledge; society, politics, and values; or comparative philosophy, or generalize in all three.

Philosophy Minor

A Philosophy minor is an excellent enhancement to any major, as the communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills you’ll learn here transfer to all disciplines. This 18-credit minor covers two introductory courses, as well as three electives.

Meet the Faculty

In small, collaborative classes, you’ll contemplate what it means to be human and the greatest questions of our time under the guidance of the Philosophy program’s three faculty members, renowned for their expertise in ethics and political philosophy.

Martin Roth

Martin Roth

Professor, Philosophy; Department Chair, Philosophy and Religion

Timothy Knepper

Timothy Knepper

Professor, Philosophy ; Director, Comparison Project

Jennifer McCrickerd

Jennifer McCrickerd

Professor, Philosophy

All Faculty Members

Outside the Classroom

The critical thinking skills you’ll gain as a Philosophy major have applications well beyond the classroom. We encourage you to explore ways to put your knowledge to work, as you collaborate with other departments and off-campus organizations.

Two Drake Philosophy students meet on a sofa in a common area to discuss career opportunities and internships

Internships

Thinking leads to doing through a variety of internship opportunities, including work at local interfaith organizations such as the Des Moines Religious Council and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.

For a research project, a Drake philosophy student outlines their logic and conclusions with black marker on a clear wall

Research

Questions of ethics, politics, religion, and medicine are always ripe for further exploration. Assist faculty with their research, pursue your own inquiries during capstone projects, or participate in language study.

A group of Drake Philosophy students stand, arm in arm, in front of the Taj Mahal during a travel seminar trip

Travel Seminar

In travel seminars offered during the J-Term and May Term, you’ll join department faculty in places like India, South Africa, the Middle East, and China as you explore the philosophies of the world.

A Drake Philosophy student leads a group of campers as an interfaith youth camp volunteer

Interfaith Youth Camp

Work as a counselor to local high school students from different religious traditions during this week-long summer camp. Build a better understanding of lived religion while gaining leadership skills.

Drake Philosophy students hold a club meeting outdoors on the grass

Student Clubs

Join the Delphian Society to debate philosophical and religious theories further, or participate in the Interfaith Student Organization, which collaborates with groups from other Iowa colleges.

A Drake Philosophy student meets with a classmate to work on a cross-disciplinary project in a common area

Cross-Disciplinary Collaborations

Philosophers grapple with questions across multiple disciplines. It’s why our department works closely with many others at Drake, including Artificial Intelligence and World Languages and Cultures.

Careers & Skills

A philosophy degree gives you the power to build and defend creative arguments while learning to engage deeply with others. Those are the kinds of skills that translate to effective problem-solving, thinking outside the box, and working with others—making you a valuable candidate in dozens of fields.

Opportunities

  • Graduate/law school
  • Business
  • Government
  • Human relations

Skills

  • Reason creatively and critically.
  • Develop written and oral communication skills.
  • Adapt to new situations.
  • Build interpersonal skills employers value.
Two Drake Philosophy students meet to learn about possible career paths with their degree

Salary & Growth Outlook

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Median salary for human resources managers in 2024. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

“I’ve found that I quite enjoy exploring different ideas about reality and existence. The professors in the Department have not only been fun and helpful but have pushed me to expand my thoughts way beyond whatever I had previously thought possible. My ability to assess problems through critical analysis or by thinking outside the typical process has grown extraordinarily. The Department of Philosophy and Religion has allowed me many opportunities, whether it be through studying abroad or preparing me for future opportunities.”
Kelsey Rick, AS’20
English and Philosophy double major, Anthropology minor

Related Programs

How do humans relate to themselves and the world around them? It’s a question that can be answered in many ways—through lenses of faith, culture, and the workings of the mind itself.

Religious and Interfaith Studies, Minor

Humanity has held religious beliefs dear for millennia. Learn more about these traditions and why they are so important in this wide-ranging minor.

Anthropology and Sociology, BA

Explores cultural diversity and social structures through research and theory, equipping students to analyze global and local social issues.

Psychology, BA or BS

Understand the science of behavior through classroom study and participation in research seminars, independent projects, and internships.

Take the Next Step

A bachelor’s in Philosophy equips you to address questions humans have asked through the ages while preparing you for a range of careers tomorrow.

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A Drake Philosophy student behind a desk listens during a class lecture