Engaged in the Contemporary World
MSU Philosophy aspires to be a pluralist department that supports a wide range of approaches to doing philosophy. As a department, we pursue this work through attention to our core values: accountability, responsibility, and respect.
By pursuing these values, we commit to taking necessary actions to develop a departmental culture that sustains safety, inclusivity, and equity. These actions include self-reflection, open conversation, and focused workshops.
Accountability
Responsibility
Respect
Academics
Our graduate program offers traditional and practical areas in
We offer
Small Class Sizes & Flexible Scheduling
Individual attention from award-winning faculty, staff, and advisors in classes offered on campus and online – create your own path through a major or minor.
Philosophy That Matters
Philosophical methods, resources, and elements of traditional areas of philosophy to help address practical issues of concern to society at large and to disciplines outside of philosophy.
Philosophy Beyond the Classroom
Senior Thesis, Philosophy Club, Fellowships, Distinguished Philosophy speaker series, experiential learning, career preparation.
Degree areas
Philosophy BA
Philosophy BA critically examines the most basic beliefs about the world and the place of people in it.
Philosophy Law Major
Philosophy BA-MA
Admission to the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s program allows the application of up to 9 credits toward the master’s program
Philosophy MA
The Philosophy MA program may choose from the following areas: Philosophy and Ethics of Health Care, Social and Political Thought, Ethics and Development, Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
Philosophy PHD
Philosophy and Ethics of Health Care, Social and Political Thought, Ethics and Development, Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
Philosophy Minor
Philosophy Law Minor
Philosophy BA
A Philosophy BA critically examines the fundamental beliefs about the world and the place of people in it.
Philosophy BA-MA
Admission to the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s program allows the application of up to 9 credits toward the master’s program
Philosophy MA
We no longer admit students to the MA program.
Philosophy PHD
The PhD program emphasizes a broad range of philosophical issues. Opportunities exist for interdisciplinary work, specializations, and concentrations.
Philosophy Minor
Philosophy Law Minor
How Can Philosophy Impact Communities?
Chayse Hurley ‘19
Student
What Unique Skills can Philosophy Provide?
Victor Draine ‘12
Alumni
Chase Hurley ’19
Victor Draine ’12
undergraduate experience
Our Philosophy major offers a you a personalized experience. We empower our students to think critically and examine the most basic beliefs about the world we live in.
CHANGING THE WORLD WITH ENGAGED PHILOSOPHY
Through the creation of the Engaged Philosophy Internship Program (EPIP), MSU’s Department of Philosophy is hoping to change how the world views philosophy.
“What we do in the Toolbox Dialogue Initiative is use philosophy to structure a dialogue among collaborators in complex projects that focus on real-world issues like climate change or invasive species.”
Michael O’Rourke
Professor of Philosophy
Director of the Toolbox Dialogue Initiative, an NSF-sponsored research initiative
Philosophy Professor Interviewed for the APA
Megan Dean discusses her work on the ethics of eating in a recent interview for the American Philosophical Association Blog.
Philosophy Department Recognized for the Engaged Philosophy Internship Program
The Daily Nous, a philosophy news site, recently recognized the department for excellence in preparing graduate students for non-academic career paths through the Engaged Philosophy Internship Program.
Fusing Ideas Through Philosophy: Center Elevates Collaborative Research Between the Arts and Sciences
“When we practice philosophy in C4I, we practice engaged philosophy. We apply principles and offer services that leverage the power of philosophy and help others understand why philosophy is important to the world.”
Philosophy Professor Recognized for Anti-Violence Research
Elena Ruíz’s anti-violence research has attracted the interest and support of advocacy organizations and philanthropic groups world-wide, including the Me Too Movement Organization for which she was named principal researcher for gender-based violence in January 2020.
featured News
Board of Trustees Approve Thomas Stubblefield as New Dean of MSU’s College of Arts & Letters
The Michigan State University Board of Trustees voted to approve the recommendation naming Thomas Stubblefield as the next Dean of the College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University. On July 1, 2025, Stubblefield will join the university to serve as the 12th Dean of the College of Art & Letters. The Board of Trustees voted on the recommendation at its June 13, 2025, meeting. Dr. Stubblefield comes to Michigan State University from the University of Rhode Island where he has served as Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Interim Director of the Harrington School
Kathleen Fitzpatrick Named New Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies
Kathleen Fitzpatrick has been appointed Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies for Michigan State University’s College of Arts & Letters, effective July 1, 2025, following a year serving in the interim role. A nationally recognized scholar of digital humanities, Fitzpatrick is uniquely positioned to guide the college’s research and graduate programs, having spent her career creating open-source tools for academic collaboration while building resilient, sustainable scholarly communities. “Dr. Fitzpatrick brings a wealth of experience to this position and a clear vision for advancing research, creative activity, and graduate education across the College of Arts & Letters,” said Yen-Hwei
Thomas Stubblefield Recommended as Dean of MSU’s College of Arts & Letters
Thomas Stubblefield has been recommended to serve as the next Dean of the College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University, effective July 1, 2025. Pending approval by the MSU Board of Trustees, he will succeed Yen-Hwei Lin, who assumed the role of Interim Dean in June 2024 following the departure of former Dean Christopher P. Long.
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