Law
Philosophy is one of the strongest traditional pathways to law school, building exactly the analytical reasoning and argumentation skills law schools value most.
Philosophy — literally "love of wisdom" — is the disciplined practice of asking fundamental questions about knowledge, reality, ethics, and the good life. Following the model set by Socrates, the discipline treats intellectual and moral integrity as inseparable, using careful analysis and rigorous argument to examine questions that remain as urgent today as in antiquity.
The major builds from logic and historical foundations — Ancient Greek and Modern Philosophy — into electives spanning ethics, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and contemporary applied topics like data ethics and environmental justice. The curriculum covers both the Western philosophical tradition and perspectives beyond it. The major culminates in PHIL 480, a capstone research project defended through an extensive essay and oral examination.
Philosophy is widely recognized as strong preparation for law school and graduate study across many fields, and Batten University maintains dual degree partnerships in law and theology that draw directly on the major's analytical and ethical training.
Requirements
PHIL 209
Methods of Logic
4 hrs
PHIL 332
Ancient Greek Philosophy
4 hrs
PHIL 336
Modern Philosophy
4 hrs
Ethics/Values Elective
One of: PHIL 105 Meaning, Happiness, and the Good Life · PHIL 202 Contemporary Moral Issues · PHIL 204 Philosophical Fiction · PHIL 212 Practical Ethics · PHIL 221/321 Ethics and Health Care · PHIL 272/372 Beyond the Western Tradition · PHIL 304 Environmental Ethics · PHIL 399 Environmental Justice
4 hrs
PHIL 480
Research in Philosophy (Capstone)
4 hrs
300/400-level Electives
Three additional philosophy courses, at least two of which are at the 300/400 level
12 hrs
Total Hours Required
32
200+ Courses
Three Philosophy courses at the 200 level and above
12 hrs
300/400-level Electives
Two additional philosophy courses at the 300/400 level
8 hrs
Total Hours Required
20
Graduate & Dual Degree Pathways
Philosophy students have access to guaranteed and preferred admission pathways to law school and graduate theological programs through Batten University's partnership agreements. Contact your advisor for current eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
Appalachian School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dual Degree 3+3Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Appalachian School of Law in six years.
Regent University — School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dual Degree 3+3Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Regent University School of Law in six years.
Boston University
School of Theology
Guaranteed AdmissionGuaranteed admission with scholarship consideration to the MDiv or MTS programs. Requires continuous enrollment, GPA requirement, and religious studies coursework.
Duke University
Duke Divinity School
Early AdmissionStreamlined early admission with scholarship opportunities to the MDiv or Master of Arts in Christian Practice programs.
Emory University
Candler School of Theology
Guaranteed AdmissionGuaranteed admission with scholarship opportunities to the MDiv or Master of Religious Leadership. Requires Religious Studies coursework.
United Theological Seminary
Master of Divinity
Dual Degree 3+2Cooperative College Program — complete a Bachelor's at Batten and an MDiv at United Theological Seminary in five years.
Career Outcomes
Ethics, Technology & Policy
Coursework in applied ethics — including data ethics, environmental ethics, and bioethics — prepares students for emerging roles in tech ethics, policy, and compliance.
Theology & Religious Studies
Dual degree partnerships with graduate theological programs support students interested in ministry, theology, or religious studies.
Writing, Education & Beyond
Strong analytical writing and argumentation skills translate into careers in education, publishing, consulting, and any field that values rigorous, structured thinking.
Faculty
Philosophy — literally "love of wisdom" — is the disciplined practice of asking fundamental questions about knowledge, reality, ethics, and the good life. Following the model set by Socrates, the discipline treats intellectual and moral integrity as inseparable, using careful analysis and rigorous argument to examine questions that remain as urgent today as in antiquity.
The major builds from logic and historical foundations — Ancient Greek and Modern Philosophy — into electives spanning ethics, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and contemporary applied topics like data ethics and environmental justice. The curriculum covers both the Western philosophical tradition and perspectives beyond it. The major culminates in PHIL 480, a capstone research project defended through an extensive essay and oral examination.
Philosophy is widely recognized as strong preparation for law school and graduate study across many fields, and Batten University maintains dual degree partnerships in law and theology that draw directly on the major's analytical and ethical training.
Requirements
PHIL 209
Methods of Logic
4 hrs
PHIL 332
Ancient Greek Philosophy
4 hrs
PHIL 336
Modern Philosophy
4 hrs
Ethics/Values Elective
One of: PHIL 105 Meaning, Happiness, and the Good Life · PHIL 202 Contemporary Moral Issues · PHIL 204 Philosophical Fiction · PHIL 212 Practical Ethics · PHIL 221/321 Ethics and Health Care · PHIL 272/372 Beyond the Western Tradition · PHIL 304 Environmental Ethics · PHIL 399 Environmental Justice
4 hrs
PHIL 480
Research in Philosophy (Capstone)
4 hrs
300/400-level Electives
Three additional philosophy courses, at least two of which are at the 300/400 level
12 hrs
Total Hours Required
32
200+ Courses
Three Philosophy courses at the 200 level and above
12 hrs
300/400-level Electives
Two additional philosophy courses at the 300/400 level
8 hrs
Total Hours Required
20
Graduate & Dual Degree Pathways
Philosophy students have access to guaranteed and preferred admission pathways to law school and graduate theological programs through Batten University's partnership agreements. Contact your advisor for current eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
Appalachian School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dual Degree 3+3Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Appalachian School of Law in six years.
Regent University — School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dual Degree 3+3Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Regent University School of Law in six years.
Boston University
School of Theology
Guaranteed AdmissionGuaranteed admission with scholarship consideration to the MDiv or MTS programs. Requires continuous enrollment, GPA requirement, and religious studies coursework.
Duke University
Duke Divinity School
Early AdmissionStreamlined early admission with scholarship opportunities to the MDiv or Master of Arts in Christian Practice programs.
Emory University
Candler School of Theology
Guaranteed AdmissionGuaranteed admission with scholarship opportunities to the MDiv or Master of Religious Leadership. Requires Religious Studies coursework.
United Theological Seminary
Master of Divinity
Dual Degree 3+2Cooperative College Program — complete a Bachelor's at Batten and an MDiv at United Theological Seminary in five years.
Career Outcomes
Law
Philosophy is one of the strongest traditional pathways to law school, building exactly the analytical reasoning and argumentation skills law schools value most.
Ethics, Technology & Policy
Coursework in applied ethics — including data ethics, environmental ethics, and bioethics — prepares students for emerging roles in tech ethics, policy, and compliance.
Theology & Religious Studies
Dual degree partnerships with graduate theological programs support students interested in ministry, theology, or religious studies.
Writing, Education & Beyond
Strong analytical writing and argumentation skills translate into careers in education, publishing, consulting, and any field that values rigorous, structured thinking.
Faculty