Major Code BA1976*

Honors Tutorial College
35 Park Place
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.2723
honors.college@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/honors/tutorial-college

Christoph Hanisch, director of studies/contact person
hanisch@ohio.edu

Program Overview

The program in philosophy offered through the Honors Tutorial College presents the student with an unique opportunity to obtain what is arguably one of the best undergraduate degrees in philosophy on offer at any major college or university. The program gives the student unparalleled access to each member of the philosophy faculty, along with members of the faculty of other departments that have Honors programs, in the form of one-on-one tutorial sessions that can take the place of standard lecture-room classes. Each student, with the help of the director of studies, is able to design his or her own program of study in philosophy, with minimal distribution requirements. In addition to the very personalized program of study that is combined with close faculty contact, the students in the honors program are also invited to join in the life of the department in ways that are often available only to graduate students: they are invited to all colloquia and other departmental events, they are included in special departmental activities, and they have unrestricted access to enrollment in any philosophy class that they need for their program of study.

*This program was previously BA1917 which awarded the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy degree. Pending Board of Trustees approval (anticipated June 2024), the new program code will be BA1976 and will award the Bachelor of Arts effective the 2024-25 catalog year.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

Students are selected by the director of studies of the philosophy tutorial program and the Honors Tutorial College on the basis of superior academic ability and the potential for self-motivated study and research. Applicants typically are required to submit additional essays, and an interview with the director of studies is required for admission. More information, including materials and deadlines, is available at www.ohio.edu/honors/tutorial-college/apply . Recommendations from two high school teachers are strongly recommended. 

Change of Program Policy

First-year students at Ohio University may apply to transfer into the philosophy tutorial program and the Honors Tutorial College. These students must meet the same entrance requirements as entering freshmen. Depending on program capacity, second-year students may be considered for transfer as well.

External Transfer Admission

First-year students at another institution may apply to transfer into the philosophy tutorial program and the Honors Tutorial College. These students must meet the same entrance requirements as entering freshmen. Depending on program capacity, second-year students may be considered for transfer as well.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

A philosophy major prepares the student for a wide variety of career paths, including various graduate and professional education programs (e.g., law school, divinity school, etc.), careers that demand high levels of critical thinking and communication skills, and many non-technical careers in business and science. The honors program in philosophy, in particular, gives the student the added advantage of highly specialized training that will be more than adequate to pursue graduate work in philosophy.

Requirements