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Frequently Asked Questions

Why study Philosophy?
Where can I find the requirements for the Philosophy B.A. program?
Where can I find the requirements for the University Studies in Society, Ethics, and Law Program?
Where can I find the requirements for the Pre-Law Certificate?
Where can I find an internship program?
How can I participate in research?
What is the residency requirement on my degree plan or degree evaluation?
Who are the undergraduate advisors? How can I contact them?
How do I get put on a waitlist for a Philosophy course?
How can I contact my Philosophy instructor or teaching assistant?
How do I change my major to Philosophy? How can I add a minor in Philosophy?
Where can I find forms for Q-Drops or Grade Exclusions? What are the deadlines?
How do I know which courses taken at a junior college count towards a degree in Philosophy?
Are there any undergraduate Philosophy organizations or opportunities for publication at Texas A&M?
Can I find a job with a Philosophy degree?
When will I graduate?
How do I apply for graduation?

Why study Philosophy?

Philosophy is an ancient discipline teaching skills that are always in demand. It trains the mind. It is the purest intellectual discipline. Its skills can be applied to any problem. Philosophy teaches problem solving, systematic study, critical thinking, communication, analysis and evaluation, persuasion, writing skills, advocacy and the development and assessment of methods and standards. It teaches skills that enable you to take on new responsibilities and to adapt to changing careers and life demands. The value of philosophy is in its capacity to broaden the range of things you can understand and enjoy.

Where can I find the requirements for the Philosophy B.A. program?

Click here to see the requirements for admission into our undergraduate program and to earn a B.A. in Philosophy. For specific questions about the program or any of the requirements, please contact one of our undergraduate advisors.

Where can I find the requirements for the University Studies in Society, Ethics, and Law Program?

Click here to see the requirements and other information for the SEAL Program.

Where can I find the requirements for the Pre-Law Certificate?

Click here to see the requirements for the Pre-Law Certificate.

Where can I find an internship program?

Talk with the Philosophy Department Academic Advisor, Marco Valadez. His contact information can be found here.

How can I participate in research?

Advanced students who are interested in conducting an independent research project should discuss the possibility with a faculty member who works in the subfield in question as well as the department’s advisor. See also LAUNCH and the Undergraduate Research Scholars program.

What is the residency requirement on my degree plan or degree evaluation?

The Residency Requirement requires undergraduate student to take at least 36 hours of upper-division courses (300-/400-level courses) from Texas A&M University. At least 12 of the 36 hours must be 300/400 level courses in the major.

Who are the undergraduate advisors? How can I contact them?

Information about our undergraduate advisors can be found here.

How do I get put on a waitlist for a Philosophy course?

The wait list form for Philosophy courses can be found here. Philosophy advisors can only force students into Philosophy courses. All students, including Philosophy majors or minors, who wish to be forced into a non-Philosophy course should contact an advisor in the department offering the course.

How can I contact my Philosophy instructor or teaching assistant?

Visit the Faculty or Graduate Students listings. Click on your instructor’s or teaching assistant’s name for biographies, office location and hours and contact information.

How do I change my major to Philosophy? How can I add a minor in Philosophy?

For questions about changing your major to Philosophy, please contact one of our undergraduate advisors. If you are interested in adding a Philosophy minor, no paperwork from us is required. Simply let your major advisor know you would like the minor and they can add it for you.

Where can I find forms for Q-Drops? What are the deadlines?

You will find Q-Drop and other forms on the Registrar’s website. The Registrar’s Academic Calendar includes the deadline to Q-Drop a course(s). It is always important to talk to one of our undergraduate advisors before you Q-dropping a course. You are also encouraged to talk to your instructor prior to Q-dropping.

How do I know which courses taken at a junior college count towards a degree in Philosophy?

Course equivalency information may be found using Texas A&M’s a searchable database of course equivalencies/evaluations for U.S. colleges & universities found here. You can either select Search by Sending Institution or Search by TAMU Course from the menu bar on the left. The evaluation of courses on this site is a guide, and transferability of any given course is not guaranteed until evaluated upon application. It is also important to consult the B.A. program requirements or one of the undergraduate advisors if you are unsure whether a course will transfer.

Are there any undergraduate Philosophy organizations at Texas A&M?

TAMU Philosophy Club: The Philosophy Club is, like many other Aggie organizations, the center of much pride and spirit. Anyone can join without a membership fee. Weekly meetings, all organized by students, include debates, visiting speakers, media evenings, and much more. For more on the Club, please click on the link above.

Phi Beta Kappa: Phi Beta Kappa is the most prestigious undergraduate honor society in the country. Every year a few of our majors are admitted to membership. The Philosophy Department underwrites the membership fee.

Can I find a job with a Philosophy degree?

Texas A&M University Philosophy graduates can be found working across the country and around the world as marketing executives, doctors, financial analysts, entrepreneurs, teachers and professors, lawyers, historians, authors, military officers, public relations professionals, international trade consultants, audiologists, computer scientists and non-profit organization directors.

Quotes from Former Students

“I love my job. It involves the same type of work I did at A&M getting my philosophy degree: reading, writing, communicating with others, researching, analyzing information, and critical thinking.” –D’Andra Hankinson, Attorney, U.S. Treasury Department

“The quality that Philosophy graduates possess and that is lacking in non-graduates is the ability to examine a selected subject, identify key components and their relationships to each other, and assess the consequences of a component change. It is this analytical ability of philosophers that gives them the edge over their contemporaries in the modern environment.” –Tommy Attaway, Jr., Project Management Specialist, Switzerland

When will I graduate?

You can find your projected date of graduation and other important information by completing a degree evaluation found in the Degree Evaluation section of your Howdy Portal.

How do I apply for graduation?

You can find the Application for Graduation in the Degree Evaluation section of your Howdy Portal. For more specific information about deadlines and the graduation ceremony please visit graduation.tamu.edu.