As a philosophy major, you will study difficult and fundamental problems as you are acquainted with the major issues in a broad range of philosophical areas. Develop skills for logical analysis; critically explain complicated philosophical texts; write clear, coherent, plausible, argumentative essays; and reason philosophically.
The basic philosophy curriculum includes courses in the history of philosophy, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and logic. Choose the standard option for a wide range of classes, or dive deep into the ethics and law option for students who wish to pursue careers in a legally-related field.
Options
- Standard a wide range of classes
- Ethics and Law for students who wish to pursue careers in a legally-related field
Academics + Experience = Opportunities
Complement academic preparation with experiential learning, creating more opportunities after graduation. Talk to an academic advisor and a career coach about making the most of your time at Nebraska.
Four-year success plan
What to do each year
Catalog
Major requirements and courses
Printable summary
With sample four-year schedule
Transferrable Career Skills
- Compose convincing arguments and present logical information
- Provide a creative, inquisitive approach to problem-solving
- Support and communicate claims using clear evidence
- Analyze and interpret difficult texts
- Evaluate human behavior and explain social phenomena
- Examine problems from multiple perspectives
- Listen actively and facilitate individual and group communication
- Integrate information and perspectives from multiple disciplines to solve problems
- Perform analysis of social and cultural issues
- Simplify complex information and present it to others
Experience
Experience is valuable and goes beyond the classroom. We strive to help you connect your academics with research, internships, education abroad, service learning and leadership experiences in philosophy, such as:
- Interning with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development
- Learn more about internships
- Researching the impact of religious philosophy on politics
- Learn more about undergraduate research
- Studying abroad in Athens, Greece
- Learn more about education abroad
- Joining a Philosophy Reading Group
- Learn more about leadership in student organizations
- Volunteering for the Center for People in Need
- Learn more about service learning
Opportunities
Philosophy prepares you especially well for careers requiring analysis, decision making and communication. People graduating with philosophy degrees work in many different occupations, including computer programming, business consulting, management, government, policy analysis, editing, law and medicine. Undergraduate philosophy majors characteristically do very well on entrance exams for graduate and professional schools.
Examples of Alumni Careers
- Assistant Account Manager, Facts Management
- Assistant to the Legislative Coordinator, Nebraska Legislature
- Coach Support Specialist, Hudl
- Commercial Customer Service Representative, Daktronics
- Data Scientist, ontemporary Analysis
- Direct Support Professional, Developmental Services of Nebraska
- Library Service Associate, City of Lincoln
- Personal Banker, Union Bank and Trust
- Strategic Analyst, Brabendercox
- Volunteer Teacher, Alum Service Corps
Examples of Graduate Schools Attended by Alumni
- Juris Doctorate, University of Chicago
- Juris Doctorate, University of Colorado at Boulder
- Ph.D., Philosophy, University of Chicago
- Ph.D., Economics, University of California-Irvine
- Master's Degree, Cinema and Media Studies, University of California-Los Angeles
- Independent Research, Humboldt University of Berlin
- Ph.D., Philosophy, University of Colorado at Boulder
- Juris Doctorate & Master's Degree, Public Health, St. Louis University
- Juris Doctorate, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Juris Doctorate, Tulane University
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“My favorite course so far has been PHIL 101, because Professor Hayaki does a wonderful job of teaching some of the main aspects of philosophy, and really encouraged me to learn more!”
Paul Suder
Philosophy at Nebraska
Philosophy is a humanities major in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Our liberal arts degrees provide a broad education across the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, preparing students for a variety of careers.
Let curiosity move you.
Contact Us
Academic and Career Advising Center
107 Oldfather Hall
402-472-4190
casadvising@unl.edu