Academic Programs

Students who choose to major in Philosophy can select from a range of options.

Standard Major

The traditional Philosophy major offers a diverse, 48-unit program of study. This is an excellent option for students who want to explore all that Philosophy has to offer.

Explore the Standard Major option.

Double Major

Our Double Major option is a 30-31 unit program that is an excellent complement to a variety of primary fields of study. Popular Double Majors include: Philosophy and History, Philosophy and Political Science, Philosophy and Psychology, or Philosophy and Linguistics.

Explore the Double Major Option.

Concentration in Underrepresented Philosophical Traditions

Launching in Fall 2026! E-mail us (philosophy@csun.edu) to learn more about this first-of-its-kind Degree Program unique to CSUN!

Southwestern Law School and California State University, Northridge (CSUN) have established a joint, accelerated multiple-degree program through which students can earn both their Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees in six years, rather than the usual seven. 

Students participating in the 3+3 B.A./J.D. Program will have their first year of law school count as the fourth year of their undergraduate education.

Selection Process/Application Requirements

CSUN accepts applications for the 3+3 program at two different times for two different groups of students:

Category 1 : High School Applicants

Students who are in their senior year of high school and who will be first-time freshmen at CSUN.  Students in this category must meet the following criteria:

• You must have already been admitted to CSUN;
• You must have a 3.0 cumulative high school GPA as of February of your senior year (in other words, your cumulative GPA calculation must include the first semester of your senior year);
• You must have a minimum ACT score of 25 or a minimum combined SAT (Math section + Verbal section) score of 1050; and
• You must be planning to major in one of the majors that is compatible with the program, such as Philosophy.

If you meet these criteria, you can apply beginning March 1 of your senior year in high school.  Applications are due no later than May 1.  Download the application (.pdf).

Category 2: CSUN Applicants

Students who are already enrolled as first-time freshmen at CSUN.  Students in this category must meet the following criteria:

• You must have completed one full semester at CSUN;
• Your cumulative GPA after that semester at CSUN must be a 3.0;
• You must have completed a minimum of 15 units at the end of your first semester as a first-time freshmen (either by taking 15 units in your first semester at CSUN or by having a total of 15 units from fall semester at CSUN + any AP credits that count for GE or major requirements); and
• You must be majoring in one of the majors that is compatible with the program, such as Philosophy.

If you meet these criteria, you can apply beginning January 20 of your second semester at CSUN.  Applications are due no later than March 1.  Download the application (.pdf).

PLEASE NOTE:  Case-by-case admissions decisions will be made for a third category of students: those who are rising or first semester sophomores at CSUN.  To be eligible for consideration, students in this category must have completed at least 30 units that count towards their GE requirements or their major requirements by the beginning of their first semester, sophomore year, and they must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

STUDENTS WHO TRANSFER TO CSUN AFTER THE FIRST SEMESTER OF THEIR SOPHOMORE YEAR ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM.

B.A. Requirements

Students in this Program must work closely with their advisor to ensure they complete their GE and Major Program requirements within 3 years. In order to help all 3+3 students achieve the required units in compatible majors, students who have been admitted into the 3+3 program will get priority registration as long as they are still actively in the program.

J.D. Process/Criteria

Although it is strongly recommended that 3+3 students take the LSAT in fall or winter of their junior year at CSUN, they must sit for the LSAT exam no later than February of their junior year.  However, they should be aware that delaying the LSAT until February may decrease their chances of receiving scholarship money (see the section below for information about scholarships).  The LSAT is offered four times a year (February, June, late September/early October, and December), and is administered by the Law School Admission Council.  More information can be found at the LSAC website.

Scholarships

Two tiers of students will be admitted to Southwestern from the CSUN 3 + 3 program. Tier 1 will comprise students who are admitted to Southwestern with scholarship money.  Students in Tier 1 will be eligible for any of our entering student scholarships, renewable tuition scholarship that range from smaller monetary awards to full-tuition scholarships, non-renewable 1st year only scholarships, and/or book scholarships.  If the student receives a renewable scholarship and maintains the minimum scholarship renewal GPA at Southwestern, the scholarship will be renewed for future years.  Tier 2 will comprise students who are admitted to Southwestern, but are not eligible for scholarship money.  These students would typically be on the lower end of the minimum entering credential scores of a 150 LSAT and 3.0 GPA. 

CSUN students may also be eligible after their first year, as with other Southwestern students, for a Dean’s Merit Award.  Dean's Merit Awards provide partial tuition scholarships to upper division students who have demonstrated academic excellence by being in the top 30% of their class.  These Dean’s Merit Awards may not be “stacked” on existing scholarships, but can provide students who perform exceptionally additional funding in their upper-division years.

The First Year at Southwestern

• CSUN will award the baccalaureate degree to students after successful completion of the first year at Southwestern, or by the end of December following the first year of law school for students enrolled in Southwestern's part-time program.
• Tuition and fees for the first year will reflect Southwestern's current rates.
• Students must remain in good standing throughout their first year of law school and complete the first year with a minimum "C+" cumulative GPA, in addition to complying with Southwestern's policies and procedures.

Questions/Contact Information

After you review the information above carefully, feel free to contact the Faculty Lead, Dr. Bruce Zucker, at bajd@csun.edu, if you have further questions.

Qualifying students can enroll in the Honors major, which mirrors the curriculum of the Standard Major. Interested in this option? Visit our Honors in Philosophy page to learn more.

The Minor in Philosophy offers a focused program of study that is an excellent complement to a range of other fields. Current Philosophy minors are majoring in: Art, Africana Studies, Psychology, Computer Science, History, Business, English, and more!

Explore the Philosophy minor.

Launching Fall 2025 (but ready to add today!)! In the brand new minor in Philosophy and Emerging Technologies, you will learn a variety of perspectives on the most important questions we face about our future: Are the changes brought by technology harmful or beneficial? What are the ethical implications of genetic modification, artificial intelligence, surveillance drones, or self-driving cars? Who does technology serve? Can computers think? An excellent complement to a range of majors, from Computer Science to Screenwriting, Business, and Journalism, this minor will help you reason critically, think creatively, and communicate effectively, standing out to employers in a variety of fields.

E-mail the department to learn more: philosophy@csun.edu