Challenge your way of thinking
Embark on a journey of critical thinking and listening. At Iowa, you'll develop valuable skills across diverse fields — from law to academia. You'll learn how to ask and answer the right questions and be prepared for reading and writing in any complex scenario. A degree in philosophy from Iowa will open doors.
Explore undergraduate programs
Goals of philosophical training
- Think critically and make well-grounded arguments, both orally and in written work
- Understand key philosophical problems and major traditions
- Learn variegated approaches to solving problems
- Detect problems and puzzles that are not readily apparent
- Critical listening
- Step-by-step approach to the mastery of public speaking
- Reading and interpreting all forms of text
Departmental initiatives
- Applying philosophical concepts to everyday affairs
- Creating community
- Undergraduate colloquium series, movie nights, the philosophy club, optional 1-hr lab sections to work more closely with research faculty, the undergraduate journal Labryrinth, and public lectures with distinguished visiting speakers
- Outreach and engagement
- For example, through the service-learning course, PHIL:3920 Philosophy in Public, the K-12 Iowa Lyceum Summer Philosophy Institute, and outreach with the Johnson County Senior Center
- Prompt and helpful advising
- Career guidance and support
- Distributing an annual newsletter that connects students with successful alumni
Interested in law school?
Iowa's Department of Philosophy participates in Iowa Law's 3 + 3 program, allowing students to apply to law school in their third year and, if accepted, begin attending law school in what would have been their undergraduate fourth year. This saves a year of tuition and expenses. Students will earn their undergraduate and JD from Iowa in six years instead of seven.