Philosophy Pathway Guide

Preparation for Transfer as a Philosophy Major

The following sequences are suggested courses to take in your semesters prior to transferring to SMU as a philosophy major. For students attending a Texas public community college or university, Texas Common Course Numbers (TCCNS) are listed.  If you are transferring from a college or university outside of Texas, click on the SMU course for a course description which may be used to select/compare courses at your current institution.

CC listings refer to SMU’s Common Curriculum, which all undergraduates are required to complete. Refer to the Common Curriculum Transfer Guide  for a list of courses satisfying CC components. Interactive equivalency guides organized by transfer institution are available on the Transfer and Transition Services’ website.

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The Philosophy Department

The Department of Philosophy  offers a B.A. in Philosophy  and minors in Philosophy  and in Ethics .  Courses include core areas of philosophy and specialized topics, such as animal rights, philosophy of law, and philosophy of mind.  Students focus on the development of reasoning skills, understanding arguments and viewpoints, critical evaluation of varied perspectives, and clear written and oral communication.  The critical thinking skills benefit students in many disciplines and are especially useful as preparation for law school.

The Philosophy faculty members are distinguished scholars whose research is regularly published in leading journals and presses.  The department’s speaker series regularly brings prominent philosophers from the U.S. and abroad to campus. In recent years, the department has hosted conferences on Free Will and on Consciousness and the Self, as well as two workshops in Ethical Theory.

The Philosophy Club and Awards

The student-led Philosophy Club regularly sponsors guest speakers to address the SMU community on topics of contemporary philosophical interest. The club also holds student discussion groups and other activities.  The department annually recognizes excellence in student philosophy work with the awarding of the Huskins Philosophy Essay Award and the Hausman Award for Excellence in the History of Western Philosophy.

Majoring and Minoring in Philosophy

One major and two minors are offered by the department:

• B.A. in Philosophy  : This major requires at least 30 semester hours of coursework in philosophy, including at least 21 hours in advanced courses (3000-level or above). The 30 hours must include either PHIL 1301 - Elementary Logic ; PHIL 3351 - History of Western Philosophy (Ancient) ; PHIL 3352 - History of Western Philosophy (Modern) ; and at least one course from the sequence PHIL 3310–3319.
• Minor in Philosophy : The philosophy minor requires at least 15 semester hours of coursework in philosophy, including at least 9 hours in advanced courses (3000-level or above). The 15 hours must include either PHIL 3351 - History of Western Philosophy (Ancient)  or PHIL 3352 - History of Western Philosophy (Modern) . It is recommended that each student minoring in philosophy take one of the department’s general introductory courses.
• Minor in Ethics :  The ethics minor requires at least 15 semester hours of coursework in philosophy. These 15 hours must include the following courses: (1) either PHIL 1305 - Introduction to Philosophy  or PHIL 1306 - Introduction to Philosophy: Minds, Machines, and Persons ; (2) either PHIL 1316 PHIL 1316 - Introduction to Ethics , PHIL 1317 - Business Ethics , or PHIL 1318 - Contemporary Moral Problems ; and (3) three courses from the sequence PHIL 3371–3381.

Preparing for a Smooth Transfer

A seamless transfer to SMU and the Philosophy program requires planning. This guide is designed to assist you in planning your transition. Taking the time to prepare for your move lays the best foundation for success. The following are a few important points to remember:

• The second language requirement of the Common Curriculum  may be satisfied by 1) transferring two terms of college courses in the same world language, 2) placing out of four terms of world language by taking an SMU placement test or through AP or IB credit, or 3) being literate in a native language other than English.
• SMU accepts AP scores of 4 or 5.
• Work on the Common Curriculum   prior to transfer is highly encouraged.
• Compare Course Descriptions   found in SMU’s University Catalog to course descriptions at your current institution to maximize your awarded transfer credits.
• For additional information on the Philosophy major, visit our department homepage or call 214-768-2118.
• For more information about transferring to SMU, click here or call 214-768-3417.

SMU Degree

A degree from SMU is typically comprised of a minimum of 122 hours, 60 of which must be completed through SMU, 42 of which must be in courses at the 3000 and higher levels. Components of the degree include:

• Courses in your major.
• Courses required for the Common Curriculum (CC) .  
• Elective courses. These electives may be used to add a second major or minor.

The Common Curriculum (CC)

The Common Curriculum is required of all undergraduate students and consists of three main components: 

1. Foundations - 6 hours of Writing courses, 3 hours of Quantitative Reasoning courses, proficiency in a second language. 
2. Breadth - 7 Breadth courses which may double count with majors and minors.
3. Proficiencies and Experiences - 8 Proficiencies and Experiences requirements, met through coursework or approved, noncredit activities.                                                                                                                           

NOTE: If you transfer with 23 or fewer credit hours and/or transfer in your first year out of high school, transfer work earned prior to high school graduation (dual/concurrent credit) will not satisfy CC requirements.

Apply Now!

Click here for more information about transferring to SMU.