Prospective Students

Welcome to the Department of Philosophy at CSUN! With our supportive community, diverse programs, and dedicated faculty, you'll gain hands-on experience and a strong academic foundation to achieve your goals. Come explore!

What Is Philosophy?

Across cultures and traditions, human beings have asked questions about themselves and their world: What is consciousness? What does it mean to be human? How should we organize society? The activity of articulating, exploring, and responding to these questions is called philosophy.

Of course, it also takes practice. That's because philosophy is not just about forming intelligent opinions or thinking deeply about Big Issues. It is a rigorous, systematic field of study with a long and complicated history. Philosophy classes are structured so that you can explore that history while honing your critical reasoning skills and awakening your curiosity.

Why Study Philosophy at CSUN?

The CSUN Philosophy Department offers a unique, innovative curriculum emphasizing the diversity of our field. Come study with us, and you will learn about the global history of philosophy, including its ancient roots in China, India, Egypt, and Greece; explore written and oral philosophical traditions; and discover philosophy’s contemporary applications, from the study of consciousness to the philosophy of games.

Explore our Academic Programs and course offerings, and learn more about what makes philosophy at CSUN distinctive.

What Can You Do With a Degree in Philosophy?

The study of philosophy can help you become a critical, creative, and independent thinker. In fact, many of the most important skills for academic and professional success are honed by doing philosophy: Its emphasis on creative problem-solving, ethical reasoning, and critical thinking will prepare you for a wide variety of careers—especially in Business, Law, Medicine, Engineering, the Tech industry and the Arts—and those who study Philosophy enjoy a high level of success when pursuing graduate or professional degrees.

Of course, the benefits of philosophy are not only practical to your career. Philosophy can help make you a better member of your community by inviting you to reflect on your choices, beliefs, and values. This kind of self-reflection is expected of citizens participating in a democratic society, and philosophy can help hone and encourage those skills. It can also lead to a more fulfilling and interesting life. In fact, what makes a life happy and meaningful—and what this means for our relationships and our everyday practices—is among our field's most enduring questions.

Learn more about the benefits of philosophy or explore the successes of the philosophy majors pictured below.