Skip to Main Content

Degree Pathway for the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, General Option - Fall 2015 and Beyond

Sample Degree Pathway for Philosophy - General Option

For students who entered fall 2015 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
Total16
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100
College Writing I / FYSH (CW)3
FAHS.1090First Year Seminar1
PHIL.2010Introduction to Philosophy (CTPS)3
MATH.xxxxMath Persp. (MATH) - MATH.1110 / MATH.1510 recommended3
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 1 & Culture3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Persp. (SS)3

Spring Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
Total15
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
PHIL.2020Intro to Logic & Critical Thinking (QL)3
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 2 & Culture3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Persp. (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxArts & Hum. Persp. (AH)3

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
PHIL.2030 /
PHIL.2060
Intro to Ethics / Intro to Political Philosophy3
PHIL.3xxxPhilosophy Elective: See Ethical Issues List (SRE)3
xxxx.xxxxScience w/Lab Persp. (SCL)4
xxxx.xxxxArts & Hum. Persp. (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxLanguage 3 & Culture or World Ready Elective13
Total16

Spring Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
PHIL.3xxxPhilosophy Elective: See Philosophy, Politics & Culture List (DCA)3
PHIL.xxxxPhilosophy Elective (3000 level or above)3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Persp. (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxScience w/Lab Persp. (SCL)4
xxxx.xxxxLanguage 4 & Culture or World Ready Elective13
Total16

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
PHIL.xxxxPhilosophy Elective: See Metaphysics and Epistemology List3
PHIL.xxxxPhilosophy Elective (3000 level or above)3
xxxx.xxxxSTEM Perspective (STEM)3
xxxx.xxxxArts & Hum. Persp. (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxWorld Ready Elective1 or Free Elective3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
PHIL.xxxxPhilosophy Elective (any level)3
xxxx.xxxxPhilosophy or Free Elective3
xxxx.xxxxPhilosophy or Free Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total15

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
xxxx.xxxxPhilosophy or Free Elective3
xxxx.xxxxPhilosophy or Free Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
PHIL.4951Senior Capstone (AIL, WOC, IL)3
xxxx.xxxxPhilosophy or Free Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total15

Total Minimum Credits = 120.

1World Ready Language Track (WR track) requires successful completion of a two course sequence in a World Language (depending on placement) and three approved courses on the culture/history/literature/film related to that language, but taught in English. (Total of 15 credits.) For detailed information refer to Policies - Language Requirements in the undergraduate catalog.

See your advisor for a list of courses. 

Philosophy majors in this option will be required to complete 30 total credits in Philosophy, with a minimum of 15 credits at the 3000 level or higher.

Required Courses (9 credits)

  • PHIL.2010 Introduction to Philosophy (CTPS)
  • PHIL.2020 Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking  (QL), (CTPS)
  • PHIL.2030 Introduction to Ethics OR  PHIL.2060 Introduction to Political Philosophy

Upper-Level Area Verifications (9 credits)

Students must take one course from each of the three categories below.

Ethical Issues (SRE)

Philosophy, Politics and Culture (DCA)

Metaphysics and Epistemology

Upper-level Philosophy Electives (6 credits minimum)

Students must take at least two additional Philosophy courses at the 3000 level or higher.

Additional Philosophy Electives (3 credits minimum)

Students must take at lest one additional Philosophy courses at any level.

Senior Capstone (3 credits) (AIL), (WOC), (IL)

Students must complete a thesis in the Senior Capstone.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements. 

Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.

Last updated: 5/31/2018