Program

120

Total Credits

40

Total Classes

On Ground

Format

The Philosophy Department is committed to teaching students how to think critically, reason carefully and act knowingly. We believe that a strong philosophical foundation is essential to a life well-lived, and crucial to a liberal arts education.

Request more information.


“It’s almost hard to put into words because Siena had such an enormous influence on me. I am who I am today because of the years I spent here at Siena.”

Gabrielle Davis, ’85

Lawyer, Professor

University of Toledo’s College of Law

Gabrielle Davis, '85

Learn what the Siena Effect can do for you.

The Philosophy Department is committed to teaching students how to think critically, reason carefully and act knowingly. We believe that a strong philosophical foundation is essential to a life well-lived, and crucial to a liberal arts education.

To these ends, we offer a wide variety of philosophy and liberal arts studies courses. While our focus is on the western philosophical and intellectual canons, we acknowledge and incorporate other philosophical and critical traditions, including African, Chinese, Buddhist, Indian and Latin American works.





Leland Harper
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
lharper3@sienaheights.edu
517-264-7681
Patrick Mayer
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
pmayer@sienaheights.edu
517-264-7623

Due to the small size of the Philosophy Department, majors receive intensive personal attention from a small-but-dedicated faculty. This learning experience culminates in the senior thesis, an independent research project that prepares the student for the expectations and rigor of graduate level study in Philosophy or related disciplines.


  • Focuses on the practical application of philosophy to people’s everyday lives: Philosophy matters when it matters to people’s actual lives
  • A strong focus on ethics and political philosophy, with innovative classes like the “Ethics of Emerging Technology,” “Democracy and Secession” and “War: What Is It Good For”
  • Regularly organize events like the Great Lakes Philosophy Conference to promote scholarship.

The most obvious choice for a career in philosophy is a Professor of Philosophy in an institution of higher education. This path will generally require an masters’ degree or PhD in philosophy after the completion of the bachelor of arts degree at Siena Heights University.

However, many of our philosophy majors go on to pursue higher degrees in related disciplines, such as English, history or psychology.

Philosophy also provides an excellent preparation for students desiring to attend law school.

While very few job applications will list a B.A. in philosophy as a requirement for employment, any job that requires clear thinking skills, effective oral and written communication skills, and an ability to solve problems in the absence of step-by-step instructions will be a perfect fit for a philosophy major.


Costs & Aid

We know that college can be expensive, but we don’t want cost to keep you from attending Siena Heights University! We offer numerous financial aid opportunities. Federal aid is available to students who qualify by completing the FAFSA. Feel free to contact us with questions about financial aid opportunities, or click on one of the links below.