Philosophy

Undergraduate programs

BA in Traditional Philosophy 

This major serves as excellent preparation for graduate study or a career in college teaching, law, bioethics, medicine, computer programming, cultural studies, social sciences or religious studies. Philosophy provides a strong foundation for careers in education, business, research, writing or counseling. 

The Philosophy Department encourages and helps students to arrange double majors, especially with degree programs in art, political science, business, English and religious studies.  

BA in Applied Philosophy 

Philosophy provides us with the tools to discover, examine and evaluate insights into the meaning of knowledge, personal identity, creativity, fundamental concepts, relationships, nature, the structure of institutions, policies, values and beliefs. 

This background in philosophy is particular valuable for students interested in fields including law, bioethics, business ethics, medicine, women's studies or cultural studies. 

The BA in Applied Philosophy includes the history of philosophy, value theory, logic, metaphysics, and epistemology and interdisciplinary philosophy. 

BA in Applied Ethics

Applied ethics is an interdisciplinary major that explores ethical issues in medicine, business, politics, law, the environment and other areas. This program is also offered as a minor. 

Ethnic Studies minor 

MSMU’s Ethnic Studies minor provides students with the tools to critically examine the role of race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexuality, migration and other social structures in local and global contexts. Students minoring in Ethnic Studies are equipped to be change agents as they engage with the world through a social justice lens. Our students learn to connect their personal experiences to recent and historic social movements and activism. Our students will learn how to uplift and support the communities they care about. 

At MSMU, Ethnic Studies draws on the tradition of social activism in the United States during the 1960s civil rights movement. Ethnic Studies challenges widespread preconceived notions of race within the United States, particularly the powerful inequities between marginalized communities and those with power.  

Today, Ethnic Studies draws from multiple fields and disciplines (including art, cultural studies, education, history, political science, psychology, public health, sociology, etc.) to encourage alternative ways of knowing, researching and representing experiences of underrepresented and underserved communities. Our students thrive in their respective fields and communities as they inspire, invoke action and uplift social consciousness.  

A minor in Ethnic Studies can help prepare you for a career in community and union organizing, counseling, education, journalism, health and medicine, law, marketing, public administration and social work. Many students also pursue graduate study options in African American/Black studies, Asian American studies, Chicano/Latinx studies, law, public policy and indigenous studies.