San Francisco State University / BA / Philosophy

Philosophy

Philosophy is traditionally identified with the love of wisdom and the ability to think well about the foundations of human action, the nature of reality, and the purposes and priorities of life. Our department offers the opportunity for a systematic study of the philosophies of past and present and also of East and West, a study that deepens and broadens one’s outlook on the world and human affairs.

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The enterprise of philosophy requires sharpening the skills necessary for clarifying premises, uncovering presuppositions (one's own and those of others), weighing the pros and cons of conflicting values, and analysing concepts and issues. Courses in Philosophy serve to develop and enhance these skills. Some courses concentrate on specific philosophical issues. Others provide an overview of an entire area of human inquiry or endeavour (such as the sciences, the arts, political theory and law, medicine, social justice, and how our minds, senses, and emotions work) or of the philosophical foundations that characterize a historical period. The department welcomes students from other majors or programs who wish to examine their personal philosophy, investigate the philosophies of others, or sharpen their skills as independent thinkers. Many of the courses offered are not only appropriate as part of a Philosophy major but are of special interest to students in other fields. These courses are designed to help students understand the theoretical frameworks, methodological presuppositions, and more abstract dimensions of the paramount areas of knowledge. Students interested in either the philosophical understanding of a field of knowledge or in philosophy for self-understanding should feel free to consult the department chair or an advisor on appropriate courses. Undergraduate advisors are authorized by the department to designate units obtained in other departments as satisfying unit requirements in Philosophy for application to the Philosophy program. Neither students nor advisors should view this as an escape clause that enables a student who has not quite satisfied the major requirements in Philosophy to do so. Units outside the department are to be designated for use in the major based on their contribution to the student's major program. To avoid confusion on this point, students should obtain written approval from an advisor before obtaining non-department units to be utilized in the major. Students who have not taken PHIL 110 may begin the program but should complete this course or its equivalent at the earliest opportunity. Equivalencies must be approved by a departmental advisor. The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy requires a minimum of 40 units, with at least 31 of these units being upper-division. The program culminates in a 1-unit personalized learning outcomes course in which students reflect philosophically on their development of skills and knowledge. This learning outcomes course, PHIL 696, can be taken in either the first or second semester of the student's senior year. The program includes 9 units of elective courses in Philosophy, permitting individualized emphases in specific areas. Students majoring in Philosophy are urged to lay out a tentative program of courses with their advisors early in their tenure at the University. Depending upon the student's area of specialization, up to 6 units of courses outside the Philosophy department may be approved by a department advisor as elective units for the B.A.

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Important

You may incur additional costs in the course of your education at the University over and above tuition fees in an academic year such as laptops, Stationary and additional resources.

International Year One

The International Year One is the perfect pathway if you want a undergraduate degree from a UK, EU or US University but do not meet the requirements for direct entry.

The IY1 course provides an intensive combination of first year University subject modules with English language skills.

Following successful completion of the IY1 you will continue onto your second year degree study directly with the University of your choice.

Learn more about International Year One

Key Dates and Fees

International Year One Key Dates

Intake	Admissions Deadline*	Arrival to SF State	Program Start Date
Fall 2024	Jul 1, 2024	Aug 17, 2024	Aug 19, 2024
Spring 2025	Dec 2, 2024	Jan 18, 2025	Jan 21, 2025
Summer 2025	Apr 15, 2025	PSE: May 28, 2025 UP: Jun 1, 2025	PSE: May 29, 2025 UP: Jun 2, 2025

*Key dates for PSE and UP are the same except for arrival and program start dates in the Summer 2025 term, which are indicated in the table above.

Pre-Sessional English Tuition Fees

Pre-Sessional costs vary by term and by the number of terms assigned:

Fall 2024: $5995/term
Spring 2025: $5995/ term
Summer 2025: $3995/term

Your invoice total will also include your University Pathway Program Costs.

University Pathway Fees

• IELTS 5.0 Entry: $28,500
• IELTS 5.5 Entry: $26,000

Example Bundled Pricing for International Year One

IELTS Exam Score	Pre-Sessional English # of Terms	University Pathway # of Terms	IY1 # of Terms	Total IY1 Tuition Fees Spring 2024 Intake*
4.0	2	2	4	$40,490
4.5	1	2	3	$34,495
5.0	N/A	2	2	$28,500
5.5	N/A	2	2	$26,000

*The tuition list is current for 2024- 2025 and will be subject to increase each year.

*Prices of PSE terms vary for Summer 2025

Philosophy

Key Facts

Degree Overview

Important

Study Reasons

Your Pathways

Key Dates and Fees

International Year One Key Dates

Pre-Sessional English Tuition Fees

University Pathway Fees

Example Bundled Pricing for International Year One

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