Bachelor in Philosophy (Bachelor's)

McDaniel College builds undergraduate education around exploration and customization. A major begins the conversation rather than determining every course a student takes, allowing students to combine subjects, follow new interests, and add majors, minors, specializations, certificates, or graduate study options. The McDaniel Commitment connects students with mentors who help shape a personalized educational path, while the McDaniel Plan provides a framework for choosing what and how to learn. Average class size is 15, supporting close student-professor relationships. The college has 2,996 undergraduate and graduate students.

Research is available across every department through student-faculty collaborations. Each year, students work with professors on more than 300 research projects, with opportunities to become co-authors on journal articles and present at national and international conferences. Professional preparation is another central part of the experience. Most students complete at least one internship, supported by the Center for Experience and Opportunity and internship fairs connected to fields of study and future vocations. Students can build professional networks and apply classroom learning in workplace settings. The campus, known as the Hill, is compact: walking from the Gill Center at its top to Ward Memorial Arch at its southern tip takes 13 minutes. International students should expect a community that offers mentoring, flexible academic choices, undergraduate research, internship access, and a campus setting in Westminster, Maryland.

This programme is designed for students interested in exploring fundamental questions about reality, knowledge, ethics, and human existence. It emphasizes critical thinking through historical and contemporary philosophical texts from diverse traditions including Asian, Continental, and Anglo-American philosophy. Students engage in rigorous analysis of issues such as justice, freedom, identity, and the nature of truth. The curriculum includes experiential learning components like research projects and field trips to deepen understanding.

Focus areas include Ethics, Existentialism, Asian Philosophy, Critical Thinking, Philosophy of Mind, Political Philosophy.

The programme requires 36 credits in philosophy courses, including a senior capstone research project. Students complete a mix of historical and issue-oriented courses across various philosophical traditions.

Graduates enter careers in law, business, public service, education, counseling, and nonprofit work.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent. No specific test scores or prerequisites are required. Submission of a personal statement is recommended.

The programme totals about 36 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, four-year programme. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 84% of applicants.