Curriculum

At its core, philosophy teaches us how to think. Likewise, the coursework in Oregon State’s online philosophy degree program will provide you with a broad education and intellectual skills that will serve you well in many areas of life.

Learn how to showcase critical thinking skills and a diversity of thought in your writing by organizing it around philosophically appropriate arguments. You’ll also be able to demonstrate an engagement with particular aspects of our shared world through philosophical arguments and concepts.

The online courses are taught by Oregon State faculty who have research strengths in areas such as social and political philosophy, ethics, disability studies, environmental philosophy and justice, and the philosophy of science.

Degree requirements

A minimum of 180 quarter credits — at least 60 of which must be upper-division credits — are required to graduate with your philosophy degree, including:

• OSU's Baccalaureate Core (general education)
• B.A. or B.S. requirements
• College of Liberal Arts Core (for all majors in OSU's College of Liberal Arts)
• Major requirements: Philosophy

Learn at live Phish concerts

Each summer, OSU philosophy professor Stephanie Jenkins follows the improvisational rock band Phish on tour and leads an Ecampus course online all the while. The class, PHL 360: Philosophy and the Arts, uses live Phish concerts as field sites for exploring the philosophy of art and music.

Honors degree online

As an undergraduate degree-seeking student, you can apply to earn an honors degree online in your academic major. Earning this prestigious degree gives you the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on research, complete a comprehensive thesis experience and engage in co-curricular activities.

Sample course topics

• The meaning of existence
• Political philosophy
• Biomedical ethics
• History of Western philosophy
• Logic and reasoning
• Native American philosophies
• Philosophy and the arts
• Ethics and the environment
• Philosophy and religion

Transfer credits

Some degree requirements may be transferred from other institutions. Please note that a minimum of 45 credits of the last 75 credits in this degree program must be completed at Oregon State (online or on campus) to meet the academic residency requirement.

Previously earned credits will need to be reviewed upon admittance to OSU for appropriate articulation. Additional information about transferring credits is available through OSU’s Transfer Credit Central.

Add a minor

As an OSU Ecampus student, you'll have the ability to add a minor to your bachelor's degree program. Oregon State offers a diverse selection of minors online. Combine philosophy with a minor in women, gender and sexuality studies to create an even more powerful résumé fit for today's job market. You could also consider an Undergraduate Certificate in Medical Humanities.