The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy examines how philosophers have answered some of the most enduring questions about human existence, while exploring how those answers continue to inform our thinking in the present. Students gain a deeper understanding of philosophy’s relevance to key contemporary issues—such as global warming, social justice and the defense of human rights, or the relationship between science and religion. Students can use this major as preparation for professions such as law or government service, as a pathway to graduate work, or to complement other interests by taking a double major in philosophy and a related field of study.

Policies

Students pursuing this degree must complete at least 33 credits within the major, earning a minimum grade of 2.00 in each course. At least 21 credits must be at the 300 level or above, including at least 3 credits in PHIL 421 Seminar (Mason Core)/PHIL 422 Honors Seminar (Mason Core). If a course counts for the requirement in analytic or continental philosophy, and also for the ethics and political philosophy requirement, then both requirements are fulfilled with that course.

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.

Banner Code: LA-BA-PHIL

Degree Requirements

Total credits: minimum 120

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Core Courses without Concentration

Logic
PHIL 173Logic and Critical Thinking3
or PHIL 376 Symbolic Logic
History of Philosophy
PHIL 301History of Western Philosophy: Ancient3
PHIL 303History of Western Philosophy: Modern3
Analytic Tradition
Select one course from the following: 13
Issues in Analytic Philosophy
American Philosophy: Pragmatism
Philosophy, Race, and Gender 2
Theories of Ethics
Philosophy of Art 2
Philosophy of the Social Sciences 2
Ethics and Economics
Philosophy of the Natural Sciences
Theory of Knowledge
Philosophy of Mind
Theories of Decision
Continental Tradition
Select one course from the following: 13
Karl Marx's Social and Political Thought
Nineteenth-Century Philosophy
Twentieth-Century Continental Thought: Existentialism
Twentieth-Century Continental Thought: Phenomenology
Philosophy, Race, and Gender 2
Recent Continental Philosophy
Hermeneutic Philosophy
Philosophy of Art
Philosophy of the Social Sciences 2
Ethics and Social and Political Philosophy
Select one course from the following: 13
Business Ethics
Bioethics (Mason Core)
Philosophy of Law
Classical Western Political Theory
Modern Western Political Theory
Karl Marx's Social and Political Thought
Contemporary Western Political Theory
Philosophy after Auschwitz
Philosophy, Race, and Gender
Topics in Environmental Philosophy (Mason Core)
Ethical Issues in Global Health
Theories of Justice
Theories of Ethics
Ethics and Economics
Theories of Decision
Advanced Topics in Social and Political Philosophy
Total Credits18
1

When the subject matter is appropriate and with the prior written approval of the undergraduate director, PHIL 391 Special Topics in Philosophy, PHIL 421 Seminar (Mason Core)PHIL 422 Honors Seminar (Mason Core), or PHIL 425 Independent Study may be used to fulfill this requirement.

2

Only with departmental approval.

Electives without Concentration

Select five or six electives from any philosophy courses including those listed above that are not used to meet another requirement. 115-18
Total Credits15-18
1

If both the analytic or continental philosophy and the ethics and political philosophy requirements are met with the same course, the student will complete six elective courses.

Optional Concentrations

Students interested in a degree in philosophy with a concentration will complete the coursework for one of the concentrations below.

Available Concentrations

Concentration in Philosophy and Law (PHLW)

The concentration in philosophy and law offers philosophy majors the opportunity to focus their study of philosophy in a way that prepares them for the study of the law.

In addition to the specific courses listed below, other relevant courses may be applied to the requirements for this concentration with prior written approval of the undergraduate director.

Logic
PHIL 173Logic and Critical Thinking3
or PHIL 376 Symbolic Logic
History of Philosophy
PHIL 301History of Western Philosophy: Ancient3
PHIL 303History of Western Philosophy: Modern3
Analytic Tradition
Select one course from the following: 13
Issues in Analytic Philosophy
American Philosophy: Pragmatism
Philosophy, Race, and Gender 2
Theories of Ethics
Philosophy of Art 2
Philosophy of the Social Sciences 2
Ethics and Economics
Philosophy of the Natural Sciences
Theory of Knowledge
Philosophy of Mind
Theories of Decision
Continental Tradition
Select one course from the following: 13
Karl Marx's Social and Political Thought
Nineteenth-Century Philosophy
Twentieth-Century Continental Thought: Existentialism
Twentieth-Century Continental Thought: Phenomenology
Philosophy, Race, and Gender 2
Recent Continental Philosophy
Hermeneutic Philosophy
Philosophy of Art
Philosophy of the Social Sciences 2
Philosophy and Law
PHIL 311Philosophy of Law3
Select two courses from the following:6
Classical Western Political Theory
Modern Western Political Theory
Contemporary Western Political Theory
Advanced Topics in Social and Political Philosophy
Advanced Democratic Theory
Ethics and International Politics
Electives in Philosophy
Select three electives from any philosophy courses including those listed above that are not used to meet another requirement.9
Total Credits33
1

When the subject matter is appropriate and with the prior written approval of the undergraduate director, PHIL 391 Special Topics in Philosophy, PHIL 421 Seminar (Mason Core)PHIL 422 Honors Seminar (Mason Core), or PHIL 425 Independent Study may be used to fulfill this requirement.

2

Only with departmental approval.

Concentration in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)

This is a high credit concentration for students interested in a program that explores the interdisciplinary connections between philosophy, political science, and economics.

Students pursuing this concentration, similar to all students pursuing a BA in philosophy, must complete at least 33 credits in philosophy earning a minimum grade of 2.00 in each course. No course may be used to fulfill more than one requirement. In addition to the specific courses listed below, other relevant courses may be applied to the requirements for this concentration with prior written approval of the undergraduate director.

Required Philosophy Courses

Logic
PHIL 173Logic and Critical Thinking3
or PHIL 376 Symbolic Logic
History of Philosophy
PHIL 301History of Western Philosophy: Ancient3
PHIL 303History of Western Philosophy: Modern3
Analytic Tradition
Select one course from the following: 13
Issues in Analytic Philosophy
American Philosophy: Pragmatism
Philosophy, Race, and Gender 2
Theories of Ethics
Philosophy of Art 2
Philosophy of the Social Sciences 2
Ethics and Economics
Philosophy of the Natural Sciences
Theory of Knowledge
Philosophy of Mind
Theories of Decision
Continental Tradition
Select one course from the following: 13
Karl Marx's Social and Political Thought
Nineteenth-Century Philosophy
Twentieth-Century Continental Thought: Existentialism
Twentieth-Century Continental Thought: Phenomenology
Philosophy, Race, and Gender 2
Recent Continental Philosophy
Hermeneutic Philosophy
Philosophy of Art
Philosophy of the Social Sciences 2
Total Credits15
1

When the subject matter is appropriate and with the prior written approval of the undergraduate director, PHIL 391 Special Topics in Philosophy, PHIL 421 Seminar (Mason Core)PHIL 422 Honors Seminar (Mason Core), or PHIL 425 Independent Study may be used to fulfill this requirement.

2

Only with departmental approval.

Required Concentration Courses

Philosophy

Foundational
Select one course from the following:3
Modern Western Political Theory
Modern Western Political Theory
Contemporary Western Political Theory
Contemporary Western Political Theory
Electives
Select two courses from the following:6
Philosophy of Law
Philosophy of the Social Sciences
Ethics and Economics
Culminating
PHIL 353Theories of Justice3
Total Credits12

Politics 

Foundational
GOVT 133Introduction to Comparative Politics (Mason Core)3
Electives
Select two courses from the following:6
Public Law and the Judicial Process
Legislative Behavior
The American Presidency
Political Parties and Campaigns
Interest Groups, Lobbying, and the Political Process
Classical Western Political Theory
Politics of Latin America
Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
Politics of Europe
Politics of Eurasia
Islam and Politics
Introduction to Environmental Policy
Public Policy Making
Public Policy Analysis
Money, Markets and Economic Policy (Mason Core)
Constitutional Interpretation
Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties
Law and Ethics of War
Directed Readings and Research
Culminating
GOVT 467How Washington Really Works3
Total Credits12

Economics

Foundational
ECON 103Contemporary Microeconomic Principles (Mason Core)3
ECON 104Contemporary Macroeconomic Principles (Mason Core)3
Electives
Choose one course from the following:3
Intermediate Microeconomics
Managerial Economics and Strategy
Economic Problems and Public Policies
Money and Banking
Intermediate Macroeconomics
Economics of Labor
Public Finance
Introduction to Econometrics
Economics of Developing Areas (Mason Core)
Topics in Economic History (Mason Core)
International Economics
Austrian Economics
Public Choice
Game Theory and Economics of Institutions
Design and Analysis of Experiments
The Development of Economic Thought
Smithian Political Economy I (Mason Core)
Special Topics in Economics
Culminating
ECON 460Senior Seminar in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics3
Total Credits12

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. All senior seminars (PHIL 421 Seminar (Mason Core), PHIL 422 Honors Seminar (Mason Core)) in philosophy are writing intensive. Philosophy majors should consult the undergraduate director for other courses that can be taken to fulfill this requirement.

Upper Level Requirement

Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.

Additional Electives

Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.

College Level Requirements for the BA Degree

In addition to the Mason Core program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the coursework below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (Mason Core requirements or requirements for the major).

Philosophy or Religious Studies
Select 3 credits from the following:3
1

Note that the following courses may not be used to fulfill this requirement:

  • PHIL 323 Classical Western Political Theory 
  • PHIL 324 Modern Western Political Theory 
  • PHIL 327 Contemporary Western Political Theory 
  • PHIL 393 Humanities College to Career 
  • PHIL 460 Senior Seminar in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics


Additionally, PHIL 253RELI 235RELI 333, and RELI 339 cannot be used to fulfill both the philosophy/religious studies requirement and the Mason Core literature requirement.

Social and Behavioral Sciences
Select 3 credits of social and behavioral sciences from the following (additional to the Mason Core social and behavioral sciences requirement) 13
ANTH
CRIM
ECON
GOVT
HIST 2
LING
PSYC
SOCI
Or choose from the following GGS courses:
Major World Regions (Mason Core)
Human Geography (Mason Core)
Introduction to Geoinformation Technologies
Political Geography (Mason Core)
Geography of Resource Conservation (Mason Core)
Population Geography (Mason Core)
Economic Geography
Urban Geography
Geography of the United States
Geography of Latin America
Geography of Europe
Geography of North Africa and the Middle East
Geography of Eastern Europe and Russia
Urban Planning
Geography of Virginia
1

The two courses used to fulfill the combined college and Mason Core requirements must be from different disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences. 

2

HIST 100 and HIST 125 may not be used to fulfill this requirement.

Foreign Language
Intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language, fulfilled by: 1
Or achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test
Or completing the following ASL three course sequence:
American Sign Language (ASL) I
American Sign Language (ASL) II
American Sign Language (ASL) III
1

Students who are already proficient in a second language may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement. Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

Non-Western Culture

Select 3 credits of an approved course in the study of a non-Western culture (additional to the Mason Core requirement in global understanding)

Select 3 credits (additional to Mason Core Global Understanding requirement) 1
ANTH 114Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Mason Core)3
ANTH 300Civilizations3
ANTH 302Peoples and Cultures of Latin America (Mason Core)3
ANTH 307Ancient Mesoamerica (Mason Core)3
ANTH 308Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East (Mason Core)3
ANTH 309Peoples and Cultures of India (Mason Core)3
ANTH 313Myth, Magic, and Mind (Mason Core)3
ANTH 314Zombies3
ANTH 317East Asian Cultures3
ANTH 330Peoples and Cultures of Selected Regions: Non-Western3
ANTH 332Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Globalization (Mason Core)3
ANTH 381Medical Anthropology3
ANTH 396Issues in Anthropology: Social Sciences (Mason Core)3
ARAB 360Topics in Arabic Cultural Production3
ARAB 365Black and Minority Cultures in Arabic Literature (Mason Core)3
ARAB 420Survey of Arabic Literature3
ARAB 440Topics in Arabic Religious Thought and Texts (Mason Core)3
ARTH 203Survey of Asian Art (Mason Core)3
ARTH 204Survey of Latin American Art (Mason Core)3
ARTH 206Survey of African Art (Mason Core)3
ARTH 317The Black Pharaohs: Art and Archaeology of Ancient Nubia (Mason Core)3
ARTH 318Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt3
ARTH 319Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (Mason Core)3
ARTH 320Art of the Islamic World (Mason Core)3
ARTH 382Arts of India (Mason Core)3
ARTH 383Arts of Southeast Asia (Mason Core)3
ARTH 384Arts of China (Mason Core)3
ARTH 385Arts of Japan (Mason Core)3
ARTH 482RS: Advanced Studies in Asian Art (Mason Core)3
CHIN 318Introduction to Classical Chinese (Mason Core)3
CHIN 320Contemporary Chinese Film3
CHIN 325Major Chinese Writers (Mason Core)3
CHIN 470Special Topics in Chinese Studies3
DANC 118Global Dance Perspectives I (Mason Core)3
ECON 361Economic Development of Latin America (Mason Core)3
ECON 362African Economic Development (Mason Core)3
FREN 454Topics in Caribbean Francophone Literature and Culture3
GGS 101Major World Regions (Mason Core)3
GGS 316Geography of Latin America3
GGS 317Geography of China (Mason Core)3
GGS 325Geography of North Africa and the Middle East3
GGS 399Select Topics in GGS3
GOVT 332Politics of the Middle East and North Africa3
GOVT 333Politics of East Asia3
GOVT 338Politics of Eurasia3
GOVT 340Central Asian Politics3
GOVT 341Chinese Foreign Policy3
GOVT 345Islam and Politics3
GOVT 433Political Economy of East Asia3
HIST 251Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core)3
HIST 252Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core)3
HIST 261Survey of African History (Mason Core)3
HIST 262Survey of African History (Mason Core)3
HIST 271Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core)3
HIST 272Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core)3
HIST 281Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core)3
HIST 282Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core)3
HIST 326Stalinism3
HIST 327The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II3
HIST 328Rise of Russia (Mason Core)3
HIST 329Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core)3
HIST 353History of Traditional China3
HIST 354Modern China (Mason Core)3
HIST 356Modern Japan (Mason Core)3
HIST 357Postwar Japan (Mason Core)3
HIST 358Post-1949 China (Mason Core)3
HIST 360History of South Africa (Mason Core)3
HIST 364Revolution in Latin America (Mason Core)3
HIST 365Conquest and Colonization in Latin America (Mason Core)3
HIST 366Comparative Slavery3
HIST 377The Vietnam War (Mason Core)3
HIST 384Global History of Christianity (Mason Core)3
HIST 387Topics in Global History (Mason Core)3-6
HIST 461Arab-Israeli Conflict3
HIST 462Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core)3
HIST 465The Middle East in the 20th Century3
JAPA 310Japanese Culture in a Global World (Mason Core)3
JAPA 340Topics in Japanese Literature (Mason Core)3
JAPA 380Japan in Motion3
KORE 300Korean Culture and Society3
KORE 320Korean Popular Culture in a Global World3
KORE 385Introduction to Korean Linguistics3
MUSI 103Musics of the World (Mason Core)3
RELI 211Introduction to Religions of the "West" (Mason Core)3
RELI 212Introduction to Religions of Asia (Mason Core)3
RELI 312Islam (Mason Core)3
RELI 313Hinduism (Mason Core)3
RELI 314Chinese Philosophies and Religious Traditions3
RELI 315Buddhism (Mason Core)3
RELI 317Daoism3
RELI 318Korean Philosophy and Religions3
RELI 338Qur'an and Hadith3
RELI 342Comparative Study of Mysticism3
RELI 344Muhammad: Life and Legacy3
RELI 358Islamic Thought (Mason Core)3
RELI 367Islamic Law, Society, and Ethics3
RELI 368Islam, Democracy, and Human Rights (Mason Core)3
RELI 384Global History of Christianity (Mason Core)3
RELI 490Comparative Study of Religions (Mason Core)3
RUSS 353Russian Civilization (Mason Core)3
RUSS 354Contemporary Post-Soviet Life (Mason Core)3
WMST 407Transnational Sexualities3
1

A course used to fulfill the Mason Core global understanding requirement may not be simultaneously used to satisfy this college-level requirement. A course used to fulfill this requirement may be used simultaneously to fulfill any other requirements (Mason Core requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major). Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

Mason Core

Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.

Students who have completed the following credentials are eligible for a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower level) requirement categories. The Integration category (upper level) is not waived under this policy. See Admissions for more information. 

  • VCCS Uniform Certificate of General Studies
  • VCCS or Richard Bland Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.&S.), or Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
Foundation Requirements
Written Communication (lower-level)3
Oral Communication3
Quantitative Reasoning3
Information Technology and Computing3
Exploration Requirements
Arts3
Global Contexts3
Global History3
Literature3
Natural Science7
Social and Behavioral Sciences3
Just Societies (optional) 1
Integration Requirements
Written Communication (upper-level)3
Writing Intensive 23
Mason Apex 33
Total Credits40
1

In addition to covering content related to the designated category, Exploration level courses marked with a Just Societies "flag" are specifically designed to help students learn how to interact effectively with others from all walks of life, including those with backgrounds and beliefs that differ from their own. Courses marked with the Just Societies flag are available for students starting in Fall 2024. Students admitted prior to the Fall of 2025 are not required to take courses with a Just Societies flag but may wish to do so to increase their knowledge and skills in this important area. Students interested in this approach to completing their Mason Core Exploration Requirements should work closely wiht their advisor to identify the appropriate Just Societies-flagged courses.

2

Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core.

3

Minimum 3 credits required.

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy Sample Plan of Study 

A sample four year graduation plan and degree planning worksheet can be found at https://academicaffairs.chss.gmu.edu/undergraduate-students/advising/advising-sheets. The plan is a recommended sequencing of courses based on prerequisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor each semester and with their PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.

Honors in the Major

Highly-qualified students may apply to the honors program in the major. Students can apply in their second semester as a junior, before they have completed 90 credits and should have a minimum GPA of 3.50 in the major. Eligible students should submit a brief letter of application, explaining why they wish to graduate with honors; their most up-to-date  transcript; one letter of recommendation from a member of the philosophy faculty; and one writing sample, a paper from one of the student’s courses in philosophy.

To receive honors in the major, students must complete 3 credits of PHIL 422 Honors Seminar (Mason Core) and 3 additional credits in any 400-level philosophy course or a philosophy graduate course that can be taken for undergraduate credit. To graduate with honors in philosophy, students must complete these courses with a minimum GPA of 3.50.

Program Outcomes

  1. Students will be able to produce written work that conforms to the Department’s agreed-upon standards for good writing in philosophy.
  2.  Students will be able to demonstrate familiarity with the philosophical tradition and how that tradition is carried on or engaged with in the field today.
  3. Students will in their written work show evidence of their capacity for analytical, synthetic and critical thinking.

  4. Students will in their written work show awareness of how philosophical thinking illuminates other areas of discourse.

  5. Students will be able to demonstrate a capacity to think clearly and deeply about key social, political and/or ethical issues and to make well founded judgments in the relevant areas.

The accelerated master's program listed below specifies the BA in philosophy as a feeder degree for its program. Many other accelerated master's programs are also available for any bachelor's degree at Mason. See the full list of degrees with accelerated programs at George Mason.

Philosophy, BA/Philosophy, Accelerated MA

Overview

Highly-qualified Mason undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Philosophy in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 139 credits.

See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.

Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies.  For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.

Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits and after completing the following:

  • 9 upper level credits in philosophy.
  • At least two of the following with a grade of B or higher in each: PHIL 301 History of Western Philosophy: Ancient, PHIL 303 History of Western Philosophy: Modern, or PHIL 173 Logic and Critical Thinking

Students who are accepted in the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits.

Accelerated Master's Admissions Requirements

Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MA program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form:

  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.25
  • Successfully meeting Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:

Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits)

600-level PHIL courses, with the exception of PHIL 600 Proseminar in Philosophy and PHIL 693 Directed Readings in Philosophy, with the advice and approval of the department.

Advanced standing courses may fulfill the requirement in the BA in Philosophy for Analytic Tradition, Continental Tradition, or Ethics and Social and Political Philosophy, if content is appropriate and with permission of the department.

Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program

600-level PHIL courses, with the exception of PHIL 600 Proseminar in Philosophy and PHIL 693 Directed Readings in Philosophy, with the advice and approval of the department


For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements see AP.6.7 Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies.