Bachelor of Arts
Philosophy
Our philosophy majors undertake some of life's biggest ideas, including the purpose and meaning of life, virtue, and reason.
Is This Program for Me?
Are you drawn to life’s deepest questions about truth, morality, the meaning of life, or the nature of reality? Do you enjoy thoughtful discussions and want to sharpen your reasoning and communication skills?
Samford’s Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy is ideal for students who embrace complexity, challenge assumptions, and seek greater intellectual clarity.
You'll explore questions of faith and reason, beauty and art, evil and suffering, all within a framework that values the pursuit of wisdom and truth.
If you're a deep thinker with a passion for ideas, and a desire to apply those ideas to life, culture, and faith, this program offers the academic and spiritual grounding to help you thrive.
What Makes Us Different?
At Samford, philosophy is both intellectually rigorous and spiritually enriching. Our Department of Philosophy plays a vital role in promoting the Christian intellectual tradition, equipping students to approach ethical and metaphysical questions with depth and integrity.
Engaged Faculty Mentorship
Faculty members are dedicated mentors who guide students through personal, moral, and intellectual development.
Faith-Infused Inquiry
Courses connect philosophy to Christian faith, encouraging students to love God more deeply through the pursuit of wisdom.
Small Classes and Big Conversations
Discussion-driven seminars create space for students to reflect, question, and explore diverse perspectives.
Long-Term Impact
Alumni continue to draw on their philosophical training in fields such as musicology, medicine, and ethics—showing philosophy's lasting relevance.
Shape Your Academic Journey
The philosophy curriculum invites you to wrestle with timeless questions and modern issues alike, through courses in logic, ethics, metaphysics, aesthetics, and philosophy of religion.
Program Highlights
- Explore foundational ideas in Western thought through thinkers like Plato, Augustine, Kant, and Wittgenstein
- Study ethics, justice, and truth in philosophical and contemporary contexts
- Discuss faith and reason with both intellectual rigor and spiritual reflection
- Tailor your degree by adding minors in medical ethics, theology, political science, or communication
Prepare to Succeed
A degree in philosophy is more than academic study—it’s preparation for leadership, innovation, and service in any career.
Samford philosophy majors develop highly transferable skills in critical reasoning, clear writing, and ethical reflection, making them strong candidates for graduate school and a wide range of professions.
Career Opportunities
- Law (pre-law foundation)
- Ministry and theological education
- Medical ethics and health professions
- Teaching at the secondary or university level
- Nonprofit leadership and public service
- Publishing, editing, or communications
- Business, strategy, and management
- Manager, strategist, or communicator in diverse sectors
"My time with the philosophy department was central to my maturation as a student and as a person."By talking, thinking, reading, and writing about many of life’s biggest questions, I developed a holistic perspective that will undoubtedly allow me to become a more caring and perceptive physician than I would have been otherwise." —David Bayless '15
