Philosophy, BA, Four-Year Plan

Four-Year Plan for the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

Sample Plan for New Students

The sample shows a typical plan to complete the degree based on current degree requirements and course offerings, and is not the only possible plan. The number of credits for each course is in parentheses. Some classes have prerequisites, and the order of courses in the sample plan accounts for these. Each new student, in consultation with their advisor, will complete a personal academic plan tailored to their specific goals and interests. 

For more information about Seattle University's transition to the semester calendar, visit SU Moves to Semesters.

Important Major Information

  • Minimum Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits or 180 quarter credits
  • Credits in Major: 30 semester credits or 50 quarter credits
  • Minimum Major GPA: 2.0 
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0 

Semester-Based Degree Plan

Four-Year Plan For New Students

Year 1

Course Fall Spring
Course 1

UCOR 1000 (3) 

UCOR Stage 1 (3) 

Course 2

UCOR Stage 1 (3) 

UCOR Stage 2 (3) 

Course 3

UCOR  Stage 1 (3) 

UCOR Stage 2 (3) 

Course 4

College Language Requirement 

College Language Requirement  

Course 5

General Elective (3) 

College History Requirement (3) 

Year 1 Steps for Success

  • Meet with your Academic Advisor
  • Create plan in Student Planning
  • Get Involved

 

Year 2

Course Fall Spring
Course 1

UCOR Stage 2 (3) 

UCOR Stage 2 (3) 

Course 2

UCOR Stage 2 (3) 

PHIL 2600 LOGIC (3) 

Course 3

UCOR Stage 2 (3) 

General Elective (3) 

Course 4

PHIL 3010 ANCIENT (3) 

General Elective (3) 

Course 5

General Elective (3) 

General Elective (3) 

Year 2 Steps for Success

  • Meet with your Academic Advisor(s)
  • Plan for Study Abroad
  • Meet with Career Engagement Office

 

Year 3

Course Fall Spring
Course 1

UCOR Stage 3 (3) 

UCOR Stage 3 (3) 

Course 2

PHIL 3020 MEDIEVAL (3) 

PHIL 3030 MODERN (3) 

Course 3

General Elective (3) 

PHIL Elective 3000/4000 Level (3) 

Course 4

General Elective (3) 

General Elective (3) 

Course 5

General Elective (3) 

General Elective (3) 

Year 3 Steps for Success

  • Find Internship or Research Opportunities
  • Meet with Faculty Advisor
  • Review Educational Plan

 

Year 4

Course Fall Winter
Course 1

PHIL 4850 MAJOR FIGURE (3)  

PHIL Elective 3000/4000 Level (3) 

Course 2

PHIL Elective 3000/4000 Level (3) 

PHIL Elective 3000/4000 Level (3) 

 

Course 3

 PHIL Elective 3000/4000 Level (3) 

General Elective (3) 

 

Course 4

UCOR Stage 3 (3) 

General Elective (3) 

Course 5

General Elective (3) 

General Elective (3) 

Year 4 Steps for Success

  • Meet with Faculty Advisor
  • Apply for Graduation
  • Continue Post Graduation Planning

University Core Requirements

Prospective students can preview the semester-based University Core by reviewing the University Core Stages Visual Plan (PDF) or explore the current University Core curriculum at seattleu.edu/core

Curriculum Notes

Curriculum Notes specific to this sample degree plan will be updated throughout 2026. 

Plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements. 

Visit the Seattle U Advising Services page for support or reach out to the Advising Center. Email CAS Advising at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu

Resources for Success

Soar during your time here:

Excel in every class:

Source the best research:

Graduate on time:

Build your future career:

Expand your horizons:


Quarter-Based Degree Plan

Four-Year Plan For New Students

Year 1

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5)
Course 2 UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5)
Course 3 Language 1150 (5) Language 1250 (5) Language 1350 (5)

Year 1 Steps for Success

  • Meet with your Academic Advisor
  • Create plan in Student Planning
  • Get Involved

 

Year 2

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5)
Course 2 PHIL 2600 – Intro to Logic (5) †HIST 1200, 1210 OR 2310 (5) General Elective (5)
Course 3 General Elective (5) General Elective (5) General Elective (5)

†Choose HIST 1200 – Constructing Past & Present I (5), HIST 1210 – Constructing Past & Present II (5), OR HIST 2310 – US in the World (5)

Year 2 Steps for Success

  • Meet with your Academic Advisor(s)
  • Plan for Study Abroad
  • Meet with Career Engagement Office

 

Year 3

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 PHIL 3010 – Ancient Philosophy (5) PHIL 3020 – Medieval Philosophy (5) UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5)
Course 2 PHIL Elective (5) PHIL Elective (5) PHIL 3030 – Modern Philosophy (5)
Course 3 General Elective (5) General Elective (5) General Elective (5)

Year 3 Steps for Success

  • Find Internship or Research Opportunities
  • Meet with Faculty Advisor
  • Review Educational Plan

 

Year 4

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 PHIL 2500 – Problems & Methods of Philosophy OR 3000/4000 Level PHIL Elective (5) UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5)
Course 2 PHIL Elective (5) PHIL 2500 – Problems & Methods of Philosophy OR 3000/4000 Level PHIL Elective (5) PHIL 4850 – Major Figures in the Traditions (5)
Course 3 General Elective (5) General Elective (5) General Elective (5)

Year 4 Steps for Success

  • Meet with Faculty Advisor
  • Apply for Graduation
  • Continue Post Graduation Planning

University Core Requirements

UCOR classes are listed in the sample plan as Module I, II, and III. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Module. See my.seattleu.edu for prerequisites and www.seattleu.edu/core for course descriptions. Honors and Matteo Ricci students have different Core requirements. 

Module I:

  • UCOR 1100 Academic Writing Seminar
  • UCOR 1200 Quantitative Thinking
  • UCOR 1300 Creative Expression & Interpretation
  • UCOR 1400 Inquiry Seminar in the Humanities
  • UCOR 1600 Inquiry Seminar in the Social Sciences
  • UCOR 1800 Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences

Module II:

  • UCOR 2100 Theological Explorations
  • UCOR 2500 Philosophy of the Human Person
  • UCOR 2900 Ethical Reasoning

Module III:

  • UCOR 3100 Religion in a Global Context
  • UCOR 3600 Social Sciences and Global Challenges
  • UCOR 3800 Natural Sciences and Global Challenges  

Curriculum Notes

  • Students take 25 credits of 3000-4000- level PHIL electives.  PHIL 2500 may satisfy 5 credits of major electives.
  • For complete information on courses, prerequisites, etc., please consult the Explore & Compare Programs page.

Use MySeattleU Student Planning to plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements.

Visit the Seattle U Advising Services page for support or reach out to the Advising Center. Email CAS Advising at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu

Resources for Success

Soar during your time here:

Excel in every class:

Source the best research:

Graduate on time:

Build your future career:

Here to Help

Arts and Sciences Advising Center