Department of Philosophy - Home of Interdisciplinary Research

Learn from the best.

Learn from the best.

Our faculty are known worldwide for their work in top journals. We'll show you what it takes to get your ideas published.

Meet Our Faculty»

Interested in Mind?

Interested in Mind?

Undergraduates are encouraged to earn the interdepartmental Neuroscience Certificate.

Get the Certificate»

Talk about a stimulus package.

Talk about a stimulus package.

Undergraduate philosophy majors score better on the LSAT, GMAT and GRE than most other majors. Employers now actively seek out philosophy majors.

Be the Best—Study Philosophy»

Challenge the a priori.

Challenge the a priori.

Interested in X-Phi? UMSL is home to one of the leading labs studying synesthesia and perception.

Join the Brogaard Lab»

More than the armchair.

More than the armchair.

With two other top philosophy programs around the corner, UMSL students can attend world-class talks almost every week.

Attend One Our Upcoming Events»

A Forum that is, uh, friendly.

A Forum that is, uh, friendly.

Philosophy is fun, too. From weekly social outings to the annual Gateway Graduate Conference, students have plenty of opportunities to chat with faculty.

Join the Forum»

Philosophers ask big questions, critically explore a vast range of topics, and call into question many of our established assumptions. Our mission is to advance our discipline by producing innovative research, teaching, and service. Our faculty members publish their research in highly selective journals, addressing both traditional philosophical problems and diverse present-day applications. We offer courses that engage and empower traditional and non-traditional students, with an instructional menu that serves new students, undergraduate majors and minors, and master’s candidates. We serve wider constituencies by participating in a variety of learned societies and in public conferences, forums, and colloquia, offering analysis and debate that promises deeper understanding of today’s pressing issues. These activities further our campus’s status as a premier public metropolitan research university.

Our department offers both undergraduate (major, double-major, minor) and graduate (master’s) degrees.  The Philosophical Gourmet ranks our M.A. program among the top nine nationwide. The high rating of the M.A. program ensures that the undergraduate program will also be very strong.  And in fact some of our undergraduate majors are currently pursuing philosophy Ph.D.s in programs every bit as prestigious as those in which we have placed our M.A. students. 

New Tracks for Majors:

Pre-Law, Science Studies, Psychology and Neuroscience, Ethics and Society, Health Sciences, and History of Philosophy.

Interdisciplinary Programs:

The Department of Philosophy is home to the following interdisciplinary programs: Bachelor of Liberal Studies, Gender Studies Certificate, Neuroscience Certificate, Philosophy of Science and Technology Minor, and the Certificate of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology.

Undergraduate Advising:

Waldemar Rohloff, 568 Lucas Hall, Wednesdays 2:00p-4:00p or by appointment.

Philosophy Writing Tutors in Math & English Academic Center, 222 SSB:

Kevin LePore: M 10am-2pm; Th 10am-2pm; F 10am-12pm. Krista Wiley: T 10am-2pm; W 10am-2pm; F 12pm-2pm.