Philosophy offers the opportunity to pursue studies in both traditional and contemporary areas of philosophical inquiry. There are faculty working in the history of philosophy from antiquity to the present, and in most areas of contemporary Anglo-American and Continental European philosophy. Employers value articulateness, clarity of expression, logical rigor and analytical skills, which our courses provide ample opportunity to sharpen. Possible careers include analyst, lawyer, sales professional, manager, professor and editor.
Points of Pride
- The Educational Testing Service consistently reports that those intending to study philosophy have the highest mean score on both the verbal section and the analytical writing section of the GRE, of all of the 57 areas of study listed.
- On the LSAT, the mean score of philosophy majors is tied for first (with economics majors) amongst the 12 largest majors taking the test, and the average of philosophy & religion majors is consistently second only to majors in physics & math, out of 29 areas of study. On the GMAT, the mean score of philosophy majors is consistently among the top-five out of 43 areas of study.
- Philosophy applicants nationwide have had one of the best rates of acceptance to medical school, better than majors in physics, mathematics, chemistry, or biology.
- Our philosophy faculty are devoted and highly skilled teachers. Our faculty members are nationally and internationally recognized for the research and have held fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the American Council of Learned Societies, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the Fulbright Program, the Leverhulme Trust, and the National Humanities Center.
- The Purdue University Philosophy Colloquium Series brings distinguished guest speakers to campus to discuss their philosophical work.
- The undergraduate Philosophy Society is a very active student-led organization for those interested in philosophy.