About Philosophy

Philosophy asks the most fundamental questions that can be asked.

Does life have a purpose? What is truth? What is real? If you are the sort of person who wants to know, not just the particular causes of particular phenomena, but what causation is; not just which institutions are just, but what justice is; not just what psychological processes underlie learning and decision making, but what a mind is; not just the things we know on this or that topic, but what knowledge is—as well as what validates our knowledge, whether any potential knowledge is forever closed to us, or whether there is more than one basic type of knowledge—then philosophy could be the place for you.

Are you a questioning sort of person? Do you feel that most answers to your questions leave you with more questions? Do you feel that these questions lead you to ponder what the ultimate nature of reality is; what is the place of humans, and consciousness in the universe; what the natures of justice, freedom, and value are? If this sounds anything like you and you'd like to investigate these things in-depth and with more rigor than a hazy conversation at 3 AM, then you want to take our philosophy classes.

Philosophy is a major that can be used in many fields. Graduates learn how to effectively communicate and think critically in many contexts, such as the workplace, social settings, community events, and interpersonal situations. Philosophy trains students in the skills of conceptual analysis and argument comprehension, construction, and evaluation; it directs students in the application of these skills to the fundamental problems involved in building reliable theoretical knowledge and formulating sound ethical judgments; it provides an intensive introduction to the science of logic, with emphasis on the concept of proof and symbolic systems for calculating truth value relationships, and theories of the philosophical-scientific tradition from its ancient beginnings to its contemporary developments.

If you love ideas and the logical pursuit of truth, a philosophy degree will be an enjoyable road to economic security and freedom.

Explore Potential Careers

Studying Philosophy can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have!

  • Journalism
  • Politics
  • Public policy
  • Law
  • State and local government
  • Foreign service
  • Clergy
  • Medicine
  • Computer science
  • Information technology
  • Web design
  • Technical writing
  • Education
  • Psychology
  • Humanitarian and nongovernmental organizations, business and academic roles.

Program Options 

Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish. 

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals. 

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
PHIL 4 or PHIL 2 Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Its Limits 3  
ENGL 1A + 1AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 4 - 6  
CSU GE Area D Social Sciences  
CSU Graduation Requirement Group 2; Recommended HIST 17A/B (See Counselor) 3  
CSU GE Area E Lifelong Learning and Self-Development 3  

Total Units: 16-18 

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
Additional Major Requirement from LIST B (See Counselor) 3  
CSU GE Area A3 Critical Thinking 3 - 4  
CSU GE Area B4 Math / Quantitative Reasoning 3 - 8  
POLS 1 U.S. Government 3  
CSU GE Area D Social Sciences 3  

Total Units: 15 - 21 

Semester 3

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
Additional Major Requirement from List A- PHIL 25A or PHIL 25C Ancient Philosophy or Modern Philosophy through Kant 3  
Additional Major Requirement from LIST B (See Counselor) 3  
CSU GE Area A1 Oral Communication  
CSU GE Area B1 Physical Science 3 - 6  
Additional CSU Transferable Units   3  

Total Units: 15 - 18 

Semester 4

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
PHIL 12A Symbolic Logic 5  
Additional Major Requirement from LIST B (See Counselor) 3  
CSU GE Area C1 Arts  
CSU GE Area B2 Life Science 3 - 6  
CSU GE Area B3 Lab Activity (To Be Taken with Course from B1 or B2) 1  

Total Units: 15 - 18 

Transfer Options

The program coursework you complete at City College will satisfy lower-division requirements for related majors at several colleges and universities. Start planning your transfer by exploring Philosophy programs at the following institutions: 

  • University of California 
  • California State University
  • All public and private universities and colleges.

Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.