Degree Alignment: Philosophy

Good-job Category Why the degree aligns Pathway Assessment
Compliance officers Interpreting rules and policies, ethical reasoning, identifying inconsistencies, documenting conclusions. Strong; +18.1% growth, 220 annual openings, $81,444 median.
Management analysts Problem definition, assumptions testing, structured argument, synthesis, and recommendation writing. Strong; +14.9% growth and 304 annual openings.
Labor relations specialists Argument analysis, negotiation logic, fairness, policy interpretation and dispute reasoning. Strong; identified by NYSDOL among occupations expected to hire in WNY.
Claims adjusters/investigators Evidence evaluation, interviewing, consistent application of standards, defensible written findings. Strong wage pathway; industry knowledge or licensure may be needed.
Paralegals/legal assistants Close reading, research, logical organization and precise writing. Promising; some employers prefer a paralegal certificate.
Policy/program analysis Ethical tradeoffs, evidence assessment, public reasoning and clear recommendations. Strong conceptual fit; search under analyst, compliance, program and government titles.

What You'll Learn

Philosophy Major

  • Be more thoughtful and reflective
  • Think analytically, critically, and logically
  • Analyze beliefs and values, especially on controversial issues
  • Examine and develop their own values
  • Write and speak with greater clarity and persuasiveness
  • Read and listen with a deeper understanding and appreciation
  • Reason and argue with greater ease and authority
  • Act and think with greater independence and self-motivation
  • Recognize and examine multiple alternatives and perspectives
  • Be open to similarities and differences
  • Collaborate with others
  • Resolve conflicts

Ethics and Philosophy Minors

  • Enhance and broaden your studies and skills in other disciplines
  • Navigate our ever-changing world with efficiency and success.
  • Learn the founding discipline of many areas of research 
  • Acquire skills needed for successful friendships, relationships, and careers

Where You'll Go

Career Preparation

The skills that you learn in Buffalo State philosophy classes will help you with any career choice, including the four or five that you are likely to make after graduation.

You will be equipped to perform the kind of complex thinking tasks that computers cannot perform, such as those that involve interactions with other humans (whether collaborating, persuading, or selling), or that require solving unexpected problems.

Career Options

Philosophy graduates find careers in a wide range of fields, some requiring only a bachelor’s degree while others require a graduate degree. Professional positions for philosophy degree holders include:

  • Analyst
  • Attorney
  • Author
  • Banker
  • Business leader  
  • College or university administrator
  • Film critic
  • Filmmaker
  • High school teacher
  • Informational technology manager
  • Journalist
  • Librarian
  • Lobbyist
  • Marketing professional
  • Minister
  • Nonprofit administrator
  • Paralegal
  • Politician
  • Philosophy professor
  • Public relations specialist or director
  • Psychologist
  • Researcher
  • Social worker
Career & Professional Education

Program Assessment

Assessment Rubric

Assessment begins with a plan that clearly states learning outcomes for the program along with how and when these outcomes will be assessed on a continuous cycle. 

Assessment Rubric (PDF) Major Program Assessment (PDF)

Academic Roadmap

A curriculum map aligns these learning outcomes with required courses in the program that introduce, reinforce, and show mastery of the outcomes as a student progresses towards graduation.

Academic Roadmap (PDF)