Philosophy Program

What is truth? How do we know what we know? Do people have free will? When you study philosophy in the IU School of Liberal Arts at IU Indianapolis, you join one of humanity’s oldest and most rewarding intellectual traditions. You’re encouraged to think deeply and analytically about the questions that shape how we understand ourselves, the world around us, and our place within it.

As a philosophy student, you develop skills for career success: critical thinking, problem-solving, conceptual analysis, and clear communication. Research shows that studying philosophy strengthens both literacy and numeracy, and employers  continue to seek out graduates who can read closely, reason carefully, and communicate persuasively.

You’ll learn from professors who are active scholars in the field, with expertise in areas such as metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophy of language—bringing their research directly into the classroom to deepen your learning. You examine the work of past thinkers, learn to reason about your own thinking, and develop the clarity and analytical skill needed to evaluate arguments and challenge assumptions.

Courses in the Philosophy minor strengthen your critical reading, analytical thinking, argumentation, and clear communication skills. By the time you complete the program, you’ll be able to identify major philosophical figures and movements, understand central questions and arguments, write well-reasoned papers, speak confidently about complex ideas, interpret challenging texts, and construct and evaluate both deductive and inductive arguments.

Although philosophy is one of the oldest academic disciplines, its relevance today is unmistakable. A philosophical framework prepares you for success in fields such as law, business, teaching, medicine, public service, and beyond.

Undergraduate Program

Minor in Philosophy

When you pursue a Philosophy minor at IU Indianapolis, you enter an area of study that pushes you to ask big questions and think with precision. You explore ideas about identity, knowledge, ethics, science, art, and what makes a good life—topics that challenge you to look at the world in new ways. You might start with courses like Introduction to Philosophy, Ethics, or Logic, then move into upper level classes such as Metaphysics, Philosophy of Mind, Biomedical Ethics, Philosophy of Science, or Philosophies of India.

As you progress, you sharpen skills that matter everywhere: reading complex ideas closely, building strong arguments, and communicating clearly and confidently.

Whether you’re planning for law school, preparing for a career that values analytical thinking, or simply curious about how people make sense of the world, a Philosophy minor gives you a flexible, intellectually engaging path that strengthens whatever major you choose.

Graduate Program

Certificates in Philosophy

Our graduate certificate program is built to be flexible and intellectually energizing, giving you room to shape your goals. Whether you’re an international student who just completed an M.A. and eager to explore American philosophy or bioethics, or you’re looking for a one‑year graduate study‑abroad experience that still supports your thesis or dissertation work, the program adapts to your path. It’s also a strong option if you’re coming from another university, even at the A.B.D. (All But Dissertation) stage and want focused training your main area of study can’t offer.

American Philosophy Certificate

The certificate in American philosophy gives students the opportunity to study in a one-year program at one of the world’s premier places for studying American philosophy and especially the thought of Charles Sanders Peirce. IU Indianapolis is home to the Institute for American Thought, which contains the Peirce Edition Project, the Santayana Edition, the Frederick Douglass Papers, the Ray Bradbury Center, the Josiah Royce Papers, and the Max H. Fisch Library.

As you complete the certificate, you develop a strong grasp of the major figures, theories, and debates that shape American philosophy. You learn to interpret and evaluate complex philosophical ideas with confidence, and you sharpen your ability to write and speak clearly about the issues that matter in your area of study. It’s a chance to build real expertise while immersing yourself in a vibrant scholarly community.

Bioethics Certificate

The Bioethics Certificate gives you the chance to spend a year emersed in one of today’s fastest‑growing and most impactful fields. At IU Indianapolis, you’re right in the middle of one of the country’s largest health‑profession hubs, with access to the nation’s second‑largest medical school, the largest multi‑purpose school of nursing, and the Indiana University Center for Bioethics—a place where interdisciplinary research, real‑world problem‑solving, and public engagement all come together. It’s an ideal setting if you want to understand how ethical questions shape medicine, science, policy, and patient care.

This certificate is also a great fit if you’re already working in a health‑related field and want to strengthen your credentials without committing to a full M.A. Nurses often use it to prepare for roles on hospital ethics committees or institutional review boards. You might choose to pair the certificate with a professional degree in medicine, nursing, law, or the health sciences, or you may use it as a stepping‑stone toward an M.A. or Ph.D. in philosophy or bioethics. Whatever your path, the certificate equips you for roles in policy development, compliance, ethics oversight, education, or legislative work—anywhere thoughtful ethical analysis is essential.

As you complete the certificate, you build a strong understanding of key thinkers, theories, and debates in bioethics, learn to interpret and evaluate complex arguments, and develop the ability to communicate clearly and confidently about the issues that matter in this field.

Ph.D. Minor

If you’re earning a doctorate in another field but want to bring sharper reasoning and a richer intellectual framework into your work, the Philosophy doctoral minor at IU Indianapolis gives you an engaging way to do that. It lets you integrate graduate‑level philosophy into your current field of study, so you can think more critically, ask deeper questions, and approach your research from fresh angles.

You’ll choose from core courses such as Topics in the History of Philosophy, Contemporary Ethical Theories, Contemporary Social and Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, Metaphysics, and Theory of Knowledge. Together, they give you a strong foundation while still leaving room to tailor the minor to your interests. It’s a flexible, energizing way to broaden your perspective and strengthen the work you’re already doing in your primary field.

Imagine new career possibilities

By studying philosophy, you develop skills that help you navigate a complex world with confidence. You learn to communicate clearly about challenging ideas, look at problems from different angles, question assumptions, and imagine new possibilities—then explain them in ways others can understand. A philosophy minor strengthens your preparation for careers in law, education, politics, medicine, public service, social advocacy, and fast-moving areas of science and technology. Wherever you go, you’ll be ready to think clearly, ask strong questions, and offer thoughtful solutions.

More information

For questions about any of these academic offerings, contact the Department of Philosophy chair, Samuel Kahn. 

Everything you need to thrive academically, intellectually, and personally during your time at the IU School of Liberal Arts.