Philosophy (BA)
Program Description
Philosophy poses general questions about reality, knowledge, reasoning, language, and conduct. Some areas include metaphysics (What is the ultimate nature of reality? What really exists and what is mere appearance?), epistemology (What, if anything, can be known and how?), logic (What are the principles of correct reasoning?), and ethics (What is moral value? And what moral values should we adopt?). Other areas address questions concerning the nature of art, law, medicine, mind, politics, religion, and the sciences.
Everyone tends to have or assume answers to these questions. The aim of the department is to enable students to identify, clarify, and assess these answers, both ancient and modern. Philosophy prepares students for a more reflective life, for advanced studies in the subject, and for professions that emphasize analytic thinking and argumentation, such as law, business, and programming.
Honors Program 2025-2026
Students majoring in Philosophy may apply to the director of undergraduate studies (DUS) for admission to the departmental honors program. Honors in Philosophy will be awarded to majors who successfully complete the honors program with a GPA of 3.65 or higher both in philosophy and overall. The program requires at least eleven courses in philosophy (44 credits). These courses must (1) satisfy all requirements for the major and (2) include both PHIL-UA 201 Junior Honors Proseminar and PHIL-UA 202 Senior Honors Thesis Workshop. (One of these two courses may count as a major elective.) Students must be accepted into the honors program before taking PHIL-UA 201 Junior Honors Proseminar in the spring of junior year; PHIL-UA 202 Senior Honors Thesis Workshop is then taken in the fall of their senior year. Students who intend to both join the honors program and study away in junior year must consult early on with the DUS for a suitable arrangement.
Note: Beginning in academic year 2026-2027, the honors program timeline will shift to run fall to spring of senior year, rather than from spring of junior year to fall of senior year as it is presently. The first honors seminar (currently the Junior Honors Proseminar) will be taken in the fall of the senior year, and the second honors seminar (currently the Senior Honors Thesis Workshop) will be taken in the spring of the senior year. Admission to the honors program for the class graduating in spring 2027 will be in spring 2026, and a Junior Honors Proseminar will not be offered in spring 2026.
Eligibility Criteria for admission to PHIL-UA 201 Junior Honors Proseminar:
- Minimum 3.65 GPA in the Philosophy major and overall
- At least five courses in philosophy completed by time of application, including at least two full A's in philosophy courses above the introductory level but not including PHIL-UA 70 Logic
- A paper written for a PHIL-UA course, with the instructor’s grade and comments
- A list of the professors and TA's who have taught each student's courses
- Students who meet most but not all of these requirements may still apply, with admission at the discretion of the DUS depending on space
- Applications are due two weeks before registration for the spring semester of junior year
Eligibility Criteria for admission to PHIL-UA 202 Senior Honors Thesis Workshop:
- Enrollment in PHIL-UA 201 Junior Honors Proseminar
- A one page thesis proposal and a note from a professor in the philosophy department who has reviewed the proposal and agreed to supervise the thesis, both due to the DUS one week before registration for the fall semester
- A one-page outline of the proposed thesis project, due to the convenor of the Senior Honors Thesis Workshop by August 15.
Admissions
New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply.