Think big and stand out with Philosophy at Stanislaus State!
Welcome to the Philosophy Department at Stanislaus State!
At its core, philosophy grapples seriously with some of the most fundamental questions about our existence. What does it mean to know and what makes knowledge different from opinion? What is truth and what is the nature of reality? What is the self, the mind and consciousness? What does it mean to be just? What is the origin of meaning and value? What is it to live the good life for a human? While these questions may seem abstract, they are among the most practically important since they shape who we are, what we value and how we live.
Our program offers courses in the history of philosophy, global traditions, and contemporary issues, from Plato to the present, from Confucius to Anzaldúa. You’ll have the opportunity to study ethical theory, social and political philosophy, philosophy of religion, feminist and environmental philosophy, bioethics, existentialism, phenomenology, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science and technology and aesthetics. You’ll receive close faculty mentoring and advising throughout your time in the program. Our small, seminar-style courses create spaces to read and discuss great texts, examine concepts and reason through problems and articulate your ideas with clarity and confidence.
Why Study Philosophy
Philosophy majors develop skills that are among the most in-demand in today’s world. You’ll learn how to communicate complex theories clearly, read and analyze difficult texts, navigate unfamiliar and counter-intuitive ideas and grapple confidently with ambiguity and uncertainty. You’ll learn to see that how you pose questions and frame problems determines the kinds of solutions that are possible, and develop habits of mind necessary for leadership and collaboration, like how to debate important matters civilly, give and ask for reasons, listen well even when you disagree and avoid deferring to unquestioned assumptions.
Studying philosophy also means genuine personal development. You’ll think alongside great thinkers from history, engage the conceptual foundations of different intellectual traditions and come to understand how we have arrived at the ideas and values we presently hold. Philosophy also trains us to uncover hidden assumptions, helping us to think more clearly about the challenging questions we face today, in ethics, politics, technology, justice and the good life for humans.
We live in a world awash with information and misinformation, where people talk past each other and struggle to find common ground. Studying philosophy helps you engage others in good faith, recognize bad arguments and hold space for reasoning together in your relationships, your community and in civic life.
What can you do with a degree in Philosophy?
While it might sound like a cliché, you can do almost anything with a philosophy degree.
Philosophy majors go on to work in fields like:
- Law
- Business
- Education
- Journalist
- Education
- Public policy and administration
- Media and communications
- Counseling
- And so much more
Philosophy majors also have serious earnings potential, and data shows that the ROI of a philosophy degree is comparable, if not ahead of, to many other majors.
Philosophy’s emphasis on clarity, rigor and systematic thinking makes it one of the best majors you can choose if you are planning on graduate or professional school. Philosophy majors consistently score near the top on the admissions exams for law school (LSAT), medical school (MCAT), business school (GMAT) and other graduate programs (GRE), outperforming most other majors including many science and business majors .
If you want a major that strengthens your intellect, sharpens your voice and prepares you for graduate study or leadership roles, philosophy is the perfect path.
Updated: June 10, 2026