Philosophy

Philosophy, Double Major, Minor

Degree Overview

Join one of the most renowned undergraduate philosophy programs in the nation. Calvin's philosophy program is built on a tradition of excellence, grown by expert faculty, and respected across the world.

Wherever your life and career take you, you must be able to search for, articulate, and defend the truth. At Calvin, you'll gain the skills you need to do that. You'll grapple with history’s deepest, most foundational questions and explore what it means to pursue truth and justice in today's world.

Along the way, you'll learn from professors who are leading voices in their field. You'll gain critical thinking and writing skills that you can apply to any discipline, from law to business to health science. You can even broaden your career options by combining your studies in philosophy with another field.

Program Distinctives

Study abroad - Expand your experience of the world by taking your studies abroad. You could study African philosophy in Ghana, tour major centers of philosophical debate in Europe, or spend your interim in contemplation of Christian faith at Swiss L’Abri.
Expert faculty - Calvin professors are leading voices in the field of Christian philosophy, with recent published books addressing topics ranging from the nature of sin, the importance of walkable city neighborhoods, building inclusive communities, and more.
Versatile program - A specially-designed philosophy double major lets you pair your philosophy studies with nearly any other field.
Prepared for the future - Calvin philosophy majors go on to careers in everything from ministry to medicine to social work. Many go on to thrive in grad schools like Princeton and Notre Dame.

Degree Information

Philosophy
  • Overview

    By majoring in philosophy at Calvin, you will discover new skills of reasoning and communicating that are useful in a wide variety of settings beyond graduation. By studying ancient, medieval and modern philosophy, you’ll be prepared for graduate school or another professional career with skill and knowledge, as well as a tested and well-founded Christian faith.

    When you find your interest piqued by a specific field, our expert faculty can guide you as you specialize, whether you’re interested in political philosophy, gender, epistemology, formal logic, human being or metaphysics—we can walk with you as far as you want to go.

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Double Major
  • Overview

    Double majoring in philosophy at Calvin allows you to test and explore your faith and the world of human experience while training in other fields. The personal depth you'll gain through studying ancient, medieval and Western philosophy will not only enhance your job prospects through a well-rounded education—it will also provide you with the tools you need for a deep personal understanding and a lifelong pursuit of truth.

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Minor
  • Overview

    Get a taste of the depth of philosophy beyond the fundamentals. Familiarity with the great thinkers and concepts in Western philosophy will not only equip you for deeper understanding in other disciplines, but will give you the opportunity to ask challenging questions while drawing from the Christian tradition and the expertise of our world-renowned faculty.

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Politics, philosophy, and economics

Learn how to put your philosophy studies into action with a unique program focused on solving real-world challenges. Learn more »

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Looking to transfer to Calvin's philosophy program from another school? We'll help make it a smooth transition. Learn more »

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