Course variations

Course summary

This program offers a wide range of courses covering fundamental philosophical questions, logic, and the history of philosophy. The majors receive a rigorous training in the history of thought, logic, and contemporary research into the core areas of philosophy: metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. Due in part to the intrinsically interdisciplinary nature of these fields of study, a significant number of the majors double major in philosophy and some other discipline.

Program modules

Majors take a minimum of 30 hours of PHIL courses, including PHIL 2010 (Symbolic Logic I) or PHIL 4010 (Symbolic Logic II), PHIL 2020 (Ethics) or PHIL 4943 (Problems in Ethical Theory), PHIL 2033 (History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy), and PHIL 2035 (History of Modern Philosophy), plus 18 hours of electives. At least 15 of the 30 hours of philosophy must be in courses numbered 3000 and above, and at least 6 of the 15 must be at the 4000 level. Degree credit will not be allowed for more than 6 hours of courses numbered below 2000. Note that 2033 is offered only in Fall semester, and 2035 is offered only in Spring semester.

Entry requirement for international students

Students must have completed 18 units of college-preparatory classes and achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, they must have a minimum SAT score of 1030 (critical reading and math) or a composite ACT score of at least 22. An applicant whose native language is not English and/or who has been educated outside of the U.S. in a country or province where English is not the only official language must demonstrate proof of English proficiency by submitting either TOEFL or an IELTS score. On the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the following minimum scores are required for automatic admission: 550 (paper-based exam), 213 (computer-based exam), 79 (internet-based exam). On the IELTS (International English Language Testing Service), the following minimum score is required for automatic admission: 6.5. Applicants may be exempt from the TOEFL / IELTS requirement if they have completed one of the following: a U.S. high school diploma earned, having attended all 4 years of high school in the U.S.; a bachelor’s degree earned from an accredited U.S. institution; a score of 480 on the English/Critical Reading section of the SAT, or 20 on the English Section of the ACT; U.S. transfer requirements (minimum 2.50 overall GPA on 30 or more semester hours above remedial level, including a college-level course in English and in mathematics, or two consecutive English courses, from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university).

Qualification

Bachelor degree

Awarding body

Louisiana State University

Department name

College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies