Academic Resources

Explore Philosophy academic resources designed to support your academic goals.

Curriculum Guide

Philosophy Department

Guide to Double Majoring: the Philosophy+ Option 

CLAS Advising Department

What Can I Do With This Major?

Career Resources

Unlock career potential in Philosophy! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.

Career Assessment - PathwayU

Jobs via Handshake

American Philosophical Association - Jobs in Philosophy

Career Communities

Sample Philosophy Internship Sites

Internships provide a way for you to get hands-on, supervised experience in the world of work. You are able to apply the concepts you are learning in the classroom to a work environment.

• Center for Inquiry
• Undergraduate Teaching Apprenticeships
• Hope Network
• Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore
• Schools of Hope
• Michigan’s 15^th Judicial Circuit Court
• GRTV
• Amway
• GVSU Women’s Center
• Steelcase

Please note that an internship is not required for the degree but all students can choose to pursue one.

 General Information on Internship

Join A Student Organization

Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!

• Philosophy Club
• Ethics Bowl
• Law Society
• Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy

Student Organizations

Relevant Courses and Certificates for Building Skills

Developing the relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider strategic elective courses and certificates to pair with their major in order to gain additional skills.

• Workplace Technology and Communication Undergraduate Badge
• Embedded Systems Graduate Badge

Electives to Consider

Community Service Opportunities

Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.

The Civic Engagement Center keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.
 

Civic Engagement Center

Philosophy Study Abroad Options

Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.

Studying abroad as a philosophy major offers the chance to explore big questions in new cultural contexts. Imagine discussing ethics in Greece, the birthplace of Western philosophy, or studying existentialism in France. Exposure to different worldviews, languages, and traditions challenges your assumptions and sharpens your critical thinking. It’s a powerful way to deepen your understanding of global thought while building skills that set you apart in any field.

Philosophy Study Abroad

Study Abroad Information from the Philosophy Department

Explore Internships Abroad

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Pursuing academic, creative, and research experiences and projects outside the classroom is an excellent way to learn new skills and build a body of work in your field.

Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship

Getting Started

Fellowship Opportunities

Fellowships are high-impact, potentially life-changing opportunities for students and alumni, opening doors to careers in public service, advanced academic study, foreign service, international teaching, and other career and service pathways into meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Frederik Meijer Office of Fellowships

Finding a Fellowship

Connect with the Philosophy Department on LinkedIn

• Web Designer – A/B Digital Partners
• Communications and Special Events Coordinator – Friends of Grand Rapids Parks
• Business Process Specialist II – Haworth
• Graduate Research Assistant – Arizona State University
• Financial Advisor – Edward Jones
• Education and Curriculum Services – Self-employed
• Associate Attorney – Velo Law Office
• Volunteer Coordinator – Kent District Library
• Studio Manager – Elevator Up
• Director – Recovery Academy
• Principal* – West Michigan High School
• Resident Physician* – Lansing Hospital
• Administrative Assistant – Grand Valley State University
• Seminarian – Diocese of Grand Rapids
• District Organizer – Michigan Made Great
• Data Base Specialist – John Ball Park
• Liberal Studies Professor – Grand Valley State University
• Partner – Secrest Wardel
• Director – Positive Options
• Release  Coordinator – Dell Will Customs Brokers
• Trade Analyst – Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory Services
• Director – Koeze Business Ethics Initiative
• Software Technician – Diocesans Publications
• Philosophy Instructor* – Gannon University
• High School College Advisor – AdviseMI
• Executive Director of Office of Research and Sponsored Projects* – University of Michigan

*May require additional education.

You have developed strong skills in critical thinking, argumentation, and ethical reasoning through your undergraduate philosophy studies. Graduate school can help you refine your philosophical focus and prepare for careers in academia, law, public policy, or writing:

• Master of Arts (MA) in Philosophy: This program deepens your understanding of major philosophical texts and traditions while building research and writing skills. It’s ideal for those considering teaching, further graduate study, or careers in writing and analysis.
• PhD in Philosophy: This research-focused degree prepares students for academic and scholarly careers. Programs emphasize original research, teaching experience, and in-depth study in areas such as ethics, logic, metaphysics, or political philosophy.
• Interdisciplinary Programs: Some programs combine philosophy with areas like cognitive science, law, theology, or public affairs—perfect for students interested in applying philosophical thinking across broader disciplines.

Applying to Graduate Programs in Philosophy