Philosophy
Undergraduate Major & Minor College of Liberal Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Philosophy Major Minute Transcription
[video: Prof. Sergia Hay sits in her office, posters on the wall behind her and shelves of books next to her.]Prof. Sergia Hay, Associate Professor of Philosophy: Hi, I’m Sergia Hay, Associate Professor of Philosophy. This is my Major Minute.
[video: Over the video of Prof. Hay, the header “Major Minute” slides in in white lettering. Following this, the screen turns charcoal grey with yellow accents and large numbers reading “3”, “2”, “1” count down the start of the minute.](video beeping)
[video: a pair of hands appear over Prof. Hay and clap to begin the minute.](timer ticking)
[video: return to Dr. Hay. To the left of her appears a translucent yellow stopwatch, which counts down a minute.](countdown beeps)
Prof. Hay: Philosophy is the study of huge and enduring questions like what is justice? What does it mean to be human? Do we have free will? What is the purpose of art? What kinds of ethical commitments should we make to ourselves, to others, and the environment? It’s an exciting, and I would say necessary time to study philosophy because we are experiencing massive social changes, political division, global crises, and misinformation. So we need people who know how to think carefully and well, question assumptions, consider opposing views, and sort truth from falsehood. Our department has strengths in political and moral philosophy, including applied ethics, like environmental ethics, business ethics, and biomedical ethics. Our grads go on to do work with nonprofits, tech companies, the arts, and local and state governments. Others go on to graduate school in philosophy, law, education, medicine, including public and global health. We’re proud of the wide range of career and graduate opportunities available to our students.
(buzzer blares) (Prof. Hay laughs)
Prof. Hay: All right!
About:
Philosophy is all about asking the big questions — about yourself, other people, and the world. At PLU, you’ll dive into ideas like justice, knowledge, goodness, and what it means to be human. You’ll learn how to question assumptions, spot hidden connections, and think about meaning, choices, and action in new ways. Along the way, you’ll sharpen valuable skills in critical thinking, interpretation, research, analysis, and writing.
Many philosophy students choose to double major or add minors, as the skills developed in the program complement fields such as politics, history, business, religion, and the sciences. Career opportunities are equally diverse. While some graduates pursue academic paths as professors, others pursue careers in law, medicine, seminary, technical writing, and more. Employers consistently value philosophy graduates for their ability to think critically, write with clarity, and address complex questions from multiple perspectives.
Skills you'll gain from this program:
- Critical Reading — Learn how to analyze texts, arguments, and ideas carefully — from ancient philosophers to today’s debates — and spot the key points that matter most.
- Analytical Thinking — Break down complex problems into clear, manageable parts and evaluate solutions with logic and precision.
- Persuasive Writing — Sharpen your ability to write with clarity and purpose, crafting arguments that are both compelling and well-supported.
- Constructive Dialogue — Practice engaging in thoughtful conversations across different perspectives, learning how to listen, respond, and build understanding.
- Ethical Reasoning — Explore real-world dilemmas in areas like business, medicine, politics, and the environment, and learn how to make decisions grounded in values and fairness.
- Research & Interpretation — Develop the tools to gather information, question assumptions, and interpret meaning, skills that transfer into fields like law, medicine, business, and beyond.
Graduates from the last 5 years: Their jobs
- Analyst, Analysis Group
- Longshoreman, Pacific Maritime Association
- Legal Assistant, Hanis, Irvine, and Prothero, PLLC
- Legal Intern, Office of the New York State Attorney General
- Tax Associate, Grant Thornton LLPnd Development Software Engineer, Microsoft
- Research and Development Software Engineer, Microsoft
Graduates from the last last 5 years: Their graduate programs
- Law School, University of Maryland
- PhD in Philosophy, Illinois Institute of Technology
- Master of Science in Library and Information Sciences, University of Washington
- Master of Education in Higher Education, Saint Martin’s University
- Master’s in Global Health, Duke University
- Master of Business Administration, Pacific Lutheran University
It’s FREE to apply to PLU
When you're ready, we're here. Apply now and fulfill your potential!
Get StartedStudy Abroad
Philosophy students have the opportunity to study away for a semester or year, and there’s even an Environmental Ethics Philosophy study away class in Washington’s beautiful Holden Village during our January term, taught by a PLU professor!
Get Involved
Each year, philosophy students along with others compete in the Northwest Regional Ethics Bowl. The first and second place winners then have the chance to compete at the national level.
