BA (Hons) in Philosophy

Greek students
• One letter of recommendation from teacher/professor of last institution attended; letter from private tutor is not accepted.
• Official high school transcript(s) and diploma or official college/university transcript(s) and catalog (if applying for transfer credits).
• Acceptable evidence of proficiency in English: IELTS (score 6.5 or higher), Pearson Test of Academic English: PTE Academic (59 or above), Michigan State University Certificate of English Language Proficiency (MSU – CELP), Michigan Proficiency Certificate, Cambridge Proficiency Certificate, Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) with Grade A only, TOEFL (score 87 or higher on internet based), GCE, International Baccalaureate, Graduates of accredited English language institutions.
If none of the above can be provided, then the candidate will have to take the English Placement Test administered by the College.
• Certified copy of state identification card candidates will attend an interview with a designated College representative after all application materials have been submitted.

American Students
First Year Students
Students who are currently in high school, students who have not attended college after high school graduation, or students with less than 12 college credit hours are considered First Year Students.
The following documents are needed for admissions:
• Completed online application form.
• A 250-300 word personal statement which addresses how studying at ACG will further your life goals. The essay can be completed online along with the application form.
• Official transcripts.
• One academic letter of recommendation.
• Copy of passport.

Transfer Students
Students are considered Transfer Students if they have 12 or more credits from an accredited college.
The following documents are needed for admissions:
• Completed online application form.
• A 250-300 word personal statement which addresses how studying at ACG will further your life goals. The essay can be completed online along with the application form.
• Official College transcripts from all institutions attended.
• One academic letter of recommendation.
• Copy of picture page in passport.

Introduction to the Major in Philosophy
The Philosophy program is dedicated to providing students with a fundamental competency in the understanding of major philosophical schools, ideas and concepts that develop students’ analytical and critical thinking preparing them to:

• Practice coherent argumentation
• Identify philosophical problems, puzzles, paradoxes or issues
• Formulate and elaborate solutions
• Enter graduate studies

As ‘love of wisdom’, philosophy provides a deeper understanding of issues, ranging from everyday life to highly conceptual, universal, or existential problems. It leads to a more thoughtful and comprehensive consideration of ourselves, society and the world at large, with an ‘examined’ approach to life as citizens and professionals. Critical skills, analysis/synthesis, problem solving, and decision making, are all part of the philosophy training on a variety of issues ranging from the public sphere, to personal life, the sciences and moral dilemmas.

What You Will Study
The Philosophy program has strong components that allow students to build up knowledge and understanding of both theory and practice at four levels. Introductory courses develop a rigorous approach to a broad knowledge base, critical capacities and argumentation skills. At the next level, basic theories, issues and relevant arguments are examined in the fields of moral, social and political philosophy. Classes involve analysis of concepts, formulation of responses to well-defined or abstract problems, and exercise of significant judgment. At the next two levels, students achieve an understanding of central theories in the fields of logic, metaphysics, aesthetics, epistemology, and philosophy of mind, as well as the ability to use and criticize specialized philosophical terminology.

The courses hone skills in analysis, synthesis and interpretation of philosophical texts. Creative thinking – self-critically and independently – is expected. Priority is given to research, papers, reports, proposals and presentations. The transfer and application of diagnostic and critical skills, and the exercise of judgment in various situations are encouraged. Students are expected to manage a complex body of information and to use libraries and on-line resources effectively.

Career/Graduate Study Opportunities
The Philosophy program develops a variety of transferable and subject-specific skills, all of which are highly relevant to typical careers in the humanities and the social sciences. Skills acquired at Deree make philosophy graduates highly competent to join the private sector in Greece and internationally. Philosophy graduates take up careers in: local and international business sector (e.g. Management, Marketing, Customer Service, Human Resources, Public Relations); media organizations; publishing; non-governmental organizations, and education. Earning an undergraduate degree in Philosophy gives students the qualifications to pursue graduate studies at the master’s and doctoral levels. Many students with a BA (Hons) in Philosophy from Deree have pursued graduate studies in fields other than philosophy, expanding their intellectual horizons and their professional skills.