The word philosophy originally meant love of knowledge; it now refers to the investigation of fundamental questions that have puzzled human beings for ages. Philosophy deals with such questions as: What is the ultimate nature of reality? What do we really know, and how do we know it? What is morally right, and how should we live? What is the nature of the human mind and the self? Is there a god, and how might human beings come to have knowledge of god? What is the ideal form of government? Typically, a philosophy major studies the history of basic views about knowledge, the world, and human nature. Logical skills to deal with specific philosophical issues relevant to life, such as current moral problems, are developed through study in the program. Philosophy is a small undergraduate department in which students receive individual attention. Faculty members are active in their profession and in research, and two members of the department have received outstanding teaching awards. Scholarships are available through the Philosophy Department. Each year, up to three Purinton Scholarships and a McKay-Coast Scholarship are awarded to Philosophy majors, and the Cresswell Award goes to an outstanding senior in Philosophy. Majors in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Biochemistry B Biology B, M, D Chemistry B, M, D Communications Studies B, M, D Computer Science B Creative Writing M Criminology & Investigations B Economics B English B, M, D Environmental Geoscience B Foreign Languages B, M Forensic & Investigative Science B Geography B, M, D Geology B, M, D History B, M, D Individualized Major B Industrial Mathematics and Statistics B International Studies B Legal Studies M Liberal Arts and Sciences B Liberal Studies M Mathematics B, M, D Multidisciplinary Studies B Philosophy B Physics B, M, D Political Science B, M, D Professional Writing and Editing M Psychology B, M, D Public Administration M Regents Bachelor of Arts B Religious Studies B Slavic Studies B Social Work B, M Sociology M Sociology and Anthropology B Statistics M Women's Studies B B=Bachelor's; M=Master's; D=Doctorate For more information, contact Dr. Sharon Ryan at: 304-293-3641, ext. 33305, or Sharon.Ryan@mail.wvu.edu You can also visit the Web site at: www.wvu.edu/~philosophy/

The WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most diverse academic unit within West Virginia University. A faculty of 450 and a staff of 125 are involved in educating and supporting the efforts of more than 6,700 students (nearly one-fourth of the WVU student body) who are majoring in one or more of 63 undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the College’s 16 academic departments and divisions. The College’s academic units and research facilities are housed in 14 buildings on the WVU campus. The Dean’s Office is in historic Woodburn Hall. The College and its Department of Biology also maintain the Core Arboretum, a 75-acre wooded tract adjacent to the Monongahela River.

The College provides the majority of the curriculum for all WVU undergraduates and a wide variety of required and elective courses for the entire student body. Arts and Sciences majors may, with permission, major in more than one discipline, and when appropriate, design highly individualized degree programs.

Eberly College undergraduate degree programs prepare students for many specific professions, while also providing a broad-based education that will remain relevant beyond the first job after graduation. Many Eberly College alumni go on to complete graduate and professional degrees. By providing students with analytic and communication skills, reasoning abilities, and a broad knowledge of the humanities and the behavioral and natural sciences, the Eberly College equips graduates for lifelong learning and prepares them to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world and an increasingly volatile job market.

Admission
If University admission requirements are met, a student may be accepted to WVU as a Pre-Philosophy major. Upon completion of 58 credit hours with at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average, as well as a GPA of at least a 2.0 in all courses completed in Philosophy, a student may apply for admission to the Philosophy Program.

Curriculum
All Philosophy majors take a common core of courses including logic, the history of philosophy, and ethics. To meet the remaining degree requirements, students choose from a wide variety of topics in contemporary philosophy and the history of philosophy. All majors earn at least 30 credit hours in Philosophy with at least 18 credit hours of upper-division work. A grade of C or better must be earned in required courses, and majors must have at least a 2.0 average in all philosophy courses to receive a degree.

A special option available to Philosophy majors is the pre-law area of concentration. It is designed for students who expect to enter law school after their undergraduate years. Those who choose this option of study complete degree requirements by taking courses in philosophy that focus on fundamental questions about the law, ethics, and politics.

Course Work

Accreditation
West Virginia University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Career Opportunities
The critical and creative thinking and writing skills acquired through a major in philosophy open a vast array of career opportunities. Recent graduates have pursued careers in law, medicine, technical writing, creative writing, teaching, professional philosophy, filmmaking, music, engineering, business, management, marketing, journalism, photojournalism, guitar building, accounting, and the ministry.

Graduate School Opportunities
Completion of an advanced degree opens opportunities for careers in academic teaching and research. The PhD in Philosophy is required by most colleges and universities for employment in full-time positions. More than 75% of WVU Philosophy graduates are admitted into a graduate or professional school. An undergraduate degree in philosophy is considered outstanding preparation for law school and graduate programs in business and public administration and journalism.

Salary Range
According to the 2003 National Association of Colleges and Employers Salary Survey, the average bachelor’s degree salary for individuals in career areas typically entered by graduates in the liberal arts was about $29,000.