Philosophy & Religion Major

As a philosophy and religion major at Truman, you gain a greater understanding of yourself, your neighbor and the world. Because this major integrates so well with other academic areas, almost half our philosophy and religion students are double majors. Truman also offers a philosophy and religion minor.

Explore the Nature of Reality

Have you ever thought about questions like…

What do we know?
How should we act?
What is religion?
Do we have free will?

There is no major more practical and marketable than philosophy and religion. To understand any human cultural system—whether political, social, scientific, economic, or psychological—you need to learn to recognize and analyze the philosophical and religious beliefs and assumptions grounding that system.

This program offers you a practical edge to any career you pursue by boosting your critical-thinking skills and enhancing your ability to write persuasively. You also learn how to speak and listen in ways that promote understanding and how to read productively while balancing openness and critical reflection.

You have opportunities to participate in research and submit a paper to a conference, such as Truman’s Undergraduate Philosophy and Religion Conference held on campus each year. And you can expand your network by joining organizations such as the Philosophy and Religion Club, where students learn about the important issues that impact our day-to-day lives.

Find out more about how practical and marketable a Philosophy & Religion major really is!

Our Graduates Succeed in a Wide Range of Career Options

We prepare our students to excel in the skills of critical and integrative thinking, communication, and creativity that employers and graduate schools are seeking. Our philosophy and religion program provides a strong foundation for a variety of life situations:

Graduate or professional school: law, philosophy, theology, religious studies, information science, chemistry, library science, and music
Education: (see Master of Arts in Education)
Health Professions: nursing, hospital administration, elder care, and community health
Ministry: pastors, chaplains, and youth ministers
Non-Profits: grants, research, community theatre, sustainable communities, and state government

Why Study Philosophy & Religion?

Student Research Opportunities

Philosophy & Religion Conference

I entered the PHRE degree program because of interest in the subject matter rather than having a firm grasp on what I wanted to be when I grow up. Through a robust curriculum and tremendous faculty, I learned skills that have helped me thrive throughout my career. My PHRE degree provided me with skills in research, logic and argumentation. Perhaps most importantly, I learned how backgrounds and ideas influence belief and how to communicate with diverse groups by being mindful of others, a skill that is important in any career field.

Travis Sewell ('07), Director, Philanthropy Operations-St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

News

Department sponsors Science of Happiness workshop at Truman

December 10, 2020

During the Fall 2020 semester the Department of Philosophy and Religion was excited about the opportunity to sponsor the teaching of a Science of Happiness workshop by Adam Campbell. You can read about the workshop here.