500X330_StThomasAquinas​​Philosophy on the level of natural reason, like theology on the level of supernatural faith, pursues answers to the deepest questions concerning ultimate reality and the meaning of life.

As St. Thomas Aquinas argued, faith and reason cannot ultimately be in conflict; any apparent conflict is the result of faulty understanding on one side or the other.

While all major philosophers are studied at the University of St. Thomas, the philosophy of St. Thomas provides the unifying vision.

Degree Plan BA in Philosophy

The BA/MA Program in the Philosophy Department and Center for Thomistic Studies allows qualified UST philosophy majors (or double majors) to earn a BA and an MA in philosophy in 5 years instead of the standard 6.5. Students receive the BA after completing all requirements for a UST undergraduate degree and the MA after completing all remaining requirements of the BA/MA Program. Students may apply in their junior year.

How to enter the program:

Current University of St. Thomas Philosophy student’s must meet with Master of Arts in Philosophy program director during their junior year to make sure all pre-requisites have been completed to enter the graduate portion of the degree. Once all requirements are met, Philosophy undergraduate students need to complete the UST Graduate Application.

Requirements for admission are as follows:

  • At least 18 hours of undergraduate Philosophy
  • An undergraduate grade point average in philosophy of at least 3.5 and 3.3 overall GPA
  • Successful completion of CLASS 1331- 1332 (Latin) or the equivalent
  • Two letters of recommendation from members of the UST philosophy faculty
  • Completed graduate application
  • GREs are not required

degree plan BA/MA in Philosophy

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Dr. Hittinger Honored
Dr. Hittinger Honored
Dr. Hittinger Honored

Dr. John Hittinger, professor of philosophy, received a letter signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, naming him an ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas in May.
4th HIGHEST MEDIAN EARINGS For philosophy majors Source: Educational Testing Service 4th HIGHEST MEDIAN EARINGS For philosophy majors Source: Educational Testing Service
4th
Highest Median Earnings

FOR PHILOSOPHY MAJORS

Source: Educational Testing Service

#1 Highest Salary Growth TRAJECTORY FROM ENTRY TO MID-CAREER Source: Educational Testing Service #1 Highest Salary Growth TRAJECTORY FROM ENTRY TO MID-CAREER Source: Educational Testing Service
#1
Highest Salary Growth

TRAJECTORY FROM ENTRY TO MID-CAREER

Source: Educational Testing Service

$81,200 Annual Median Salary FOR UNDERGRADUATE PHILOSOPHY DEGREE GRADUATES Source: Educational Testing Service $81,200 Annual Median Salary FOR UNDERGRADUATE PHILOSOPHY DEGREE GRADUATES Source: Educational Testing Service
$81,200
Annual Median Salary

FOR UNDERGRADUATE PHILOSOPHY DEGREE GRADUATES

Source: Educational Testing Service
The Next Level of Philosophy

500X330_NextLevelA degree in philosophy from the University of St. Thomas will give you something you won’t get from another university, our course offerings in philosophy are designed to promote these aims of a liberal education:

  1. To expand the mind through vital contact with many of the greatest and most influential thinkers of all time
  2. To recognize and evaluate the underlying assumptions that govern contemporary opinion and to consider alternatives
  3. To develop a capacity and love for disciplined and creative thinking about complex matters
  4. To understand connections among all the parts of an education and to prepare for graduate study in philosophy, theology, law and other disciplines as a basis for a variety of careers

Assessment in large part will be done in connection with the Senior Seminar, which is required of all majors.
Graduate Philosophy Programs

The Center for Thomistic Studies is the only graduate philosophy program in the United States uniquely focused on the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. In the pursuit of a living Thomism, the Center’s programs stress both historical understanding of Aquinas’s texts and a rigorous rethinking of his thirteenth-century wisdom in the light of twenty-first century problems and realities.

Please review the Master of Arts in Philosophy and Ph.D. in Philosophy programs to participate in one or both of our exceptional graduate programs.

learn more about graduate philosophy programs
Meet the Faculty

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Dr. Steven Jensen Tenured Professor of Philosophy; Bishop Nold Chair in Graduate Philosophy
Dr. Steven Jensen
Tenured Professor of Philosophy; Bishop Nold Chair in Graduate Philosophy
Dr. Brian Carl Associate Professor; Director of Center for Thomistic Studies; ACPA Secretary
Dr. Brian Carl
Associate Professor; Director of Center for Thomistic Studies; ACPA Secretary
Dr. Mirela Oliva Professor, Philosophy; Frank A. Rudman Endowed Chair in Philosophy
Dr. Mirela Oliva
Professor, Philosophy; Frank A. Rudman Endowed Chair in Philosophy
Dr. Thomas Osborne Tenured Professor of Philosophy; Chair, Philosophy
Dr. Thomas Osborne
Tenured Professor of Philosophy; Chair, Philosophy
Dr. David Squires Assistant Professor
Dr. David Squires
Assistant Professor
Dr. Samuel Condic Associate Professor; Endowed Chair of Business Ethics
Dr. Samuel Condic
Associate Professor; Endowed Chair of Business Ethics
Mr. Benjamin Koons Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Mr. Benjamin Koons
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Ms. Lisa Holdsworth Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Ms. Lisa Holdsworth
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Dr. Domenic D'Ettore Tenured Professor of Philosophy; Division Dean of Liberal Studies; ACPA Secretary
Dr. Domenic D'Ettore
Tenured Professor of Philosophy; Division Dean of Liberal Studies; ACPA Secretary
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