Bachelor in Philosophy (Bachelor's)

Union College's identity is captured in its name: things come together. Liberal arts, engineering and entrepreneurship share the same academic setting, creating opportunities for students to explore different interests and combine areas of study. The college offers more than 62 areas of study, with academic work extending beyond the classroom through research alongside faculty.

Research is part of the experience across majors. Students work with faculty in laboratories, archives, studios and field settings. This hands-on approach applies to a broad range of subjects and gives students opportunities to develop questions, investigate ideas and connect academic learning with practical work. Union also prepares students for life after college through its focus on career outcomes.

The campus is in Schenectady, a New York city with restaurants and cafes, shops and boutiques, theaters and events. Hiking, biking and skiing are available minutes from campus, giving students access to outdoor activities as well as city amenities. More than 130 clubs and organizations cover interests from beekeeping and off-road racing to music festivals and movie nights. International students joining Union enter a community where academic exploration, research, student activities and the surrounding city all form part of daily life.

This programme is designed for students interested in exploring fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, and ethics. It emphasizes critical thinking, clear writing, and analytical reasoning through discussion-based courses. Students engage with philosophical texts and contemporary issues in ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology. The department supports intellectual exchange through a speaker series and a student-run journal.

Focus areas include ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, moral relativism, human dignity, philosophy of law.

The major requires 36 credits distributed across core courses, upper-level electives, and a senior seminar. Students complete a capstone project in their final year.

Graduates pursue roles in law, public policy, research, corporate analysis, and communications.

Applicants must submit high school transcripts and standardized test scores. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is recommended. Additional materials include a personal statement and two letters of recommendation.

The programme totals about 36 credit hours. on-campus, full-time, four years. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 44% of applicants.