Philosophy and Law Concentration

Catalog Year: 2025-2026

Banner Code: LA-BA-PHIL-PHLW

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy examines how philosophers have answered some of the most enduring questions about human existence, while exploring how those answers continue to inform our thinking in the present. Students gain a deeper understanding of philosophy’s relevance to key contemporary issues—such as global warming, social justice and the defense of human rights, or the relationship between science and religion. Students can use this major as preparation for professions such as law or government service, as a pathway to graduate work, or to complement other interests by taking a double major in philosophy and a related field of study.

Policies

Students pursuing this degree must complete at least 33 credits within the major, earning a minimum grade of 2.00 in each course. At least 21 credits must be at the 300 level or above, including at least 3 credits in PHIL 421 Seminar (Mason Core)/PHIL 422 Honors Seminar (Mason Core). If a course counts for the requirement in analytic or continental philosophy, and also for the ethics and political philosophy requirement, then both requirements are fulfilled with that course.

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.

Honors in the Major

Highly-qualified students may apply to the honors program in the major. Students can apply in their second semester as a junior, before they have completed 90 credits and should have a minimum GPA of 3.50 in the major. Eligible students should submit a brief letter of application, explaining why they wish to graduate with honors; their most up-to-date  transcript; one letter of recommendation from a member of the philosophy faculty; and one writing sample, a paper from one of the student’s courses in philosophy.

To receive honors in the major, students must complete 3 credits of PHIL 422 Honors Seminar (Mason Core) and 3 additional credits in any 400-level philosophy course or a philosophy graduate course that can be taken for undergraduate credit. To graduate with honors in philosophy, students must complete these courses with a minimum GPA of 3.50.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: minimum 120

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Core Courses without Concentration

¹

When the subject matter is appropriate and with the prior written approval of the undergraduate director, PHIL 391 Special Topics in Philosophy, PHIL 421 Seminar (Mason Core), PHIL 422 Honors Seminar (Mason Core), or PHIL 425 Independent Study may be used to fulfill this requirement.

²

Only with departmental approval.

Electives without Concentration

¹

If both the analytic or continental philosophy and the ethics and political philosophy requirements are met with the same course, the student will complete six elective courses.

Optional Concentrations

Students interested in a degree in philosophy with a concentration will complete the coursework for one of the concentrations below.

Available Concentrations

• Concentration in Philosophy and Law (PHLW)
• Concentration in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)

Concentration in Philosophy and Law (PHLW)

The concentration in philosophy and law offers philosophy majors the opportunity to focus their study of philosophy in a way that prepares them for the study of the law.

In addition to the specific courses listed below, other relevant courses may be applied to the requirements for this concentration with prior written approval of the undergraduate director.

¹

When the subject matter is appropriate and with the prior written approval of the undergraduate director, PHIL 391 Special Topics in Philosophy, PHIL 421 Seminar (Mason Core), PHIL 422 Honors Seminar (Mason Core), or PHIL 425 Independent Study may be used to fulfill this requirement.

²

Only with departmental approval.

Concentration in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)

This is a high credit concentration for students interested in a program that explores the interdisciplinary connections between philosophy, political science, and economics.

Students pursuing this concentration, similar to all students pursuing a BA in philosophy, must complete at least 33 credits in philosophy earning a minimum grade of 2.00 in each course. No course may be used to fulfill more than one requirement. In addition to the specific courses listed below, other relevant courses may be applied to the requirements for this concentration with prior written approval of the undergraduate director.

Required Philosophy Courses

¹

When the subject matter is appropriate and with the prior written approval of the undergraduate director, PHIL 391 Special Topics in Philosophy, PHIL 421 Seminar (Mason Core), PHIL 422 Honors Seminar (Mason Core), or PHIL 425 Independent Study may be used to fulfill this requirement.

²

Only with departmental approval.

Required Concentration Courses

Philosophy

Politics 

Economics

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. All senior seminars (PHIL 421 Seminar (Mason Core), PHIL 422 Honors Seminar (Mason Core)) in philosophy are writing intensive. Philosophy majors should consult the undergraduate director for other courses that can be taken to fulfill this requirement.

Upper Level Requirement

Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.

Additional Electives

Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.

College Level Requirements for the BA Degree

In addition to the Mason Core program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the coursework below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (Mason Core requirements or requirements for the major).

Philosophy or Religious Studies

¹

Note that the following courses may not be used to fulfill this requirement:

• PHIL 323 Classical Western Political Theory 
• PHIL 324 Modern Western Political Theory 
• PHIL 327 Contemporary Western Political Theory 
• PHIL 393 Humanities College to Career 
• PHIL 460 Senior Seminar in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Additionally, PHIL 253, RELI 235,  RELI 333, RELI 334, RELI 338 and RELI 339 cannot be used to fulfill both the philosophy/religious studies requirement and the Mason Core literature requirement.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

¹

The two courses used to fulfill the combined college and Mason Core requirements must be from different disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences. 

²

HIST 100 and HIST 125 may not be used to fulfill this requirement.

Foreign Language

¹

Students who are already proficient in one foreign language may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement. Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

Non-Western Culture

Select 3 credits of an approved course in the study of a non-Western culture (additional to the Mason Core requirement in global contexts)

¹

A course used to fulfill the Mason Core global contexts requirement may not be simultaneously used to satisfy this college-level requirement. A course used to fulfill this requirement may be used simultaneously to fulfill any other requirements (Mason Core requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major). Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

Mason Core

Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.

Students who have completed the following credentials are eligible for a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower level) requirement categories. The Integration category (upper level) is not waived under this policy. See Admissions for more information. 

• VCCS Uniform Certificate of General Studies
• VCCS or Richard Bland Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.&S.), or Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.)

¹

In addition to covering content related to the designated category, Exploration level courses marked with a Just Societies "flag" are specifically designed to help students learn how to interact effectively with others from all walks of life, including those with backgrounds and beliefs that differ from their own. Students who wish to increase their knowledge and skills in this area may choose to enroll in a Just Societies-flagged course. Students interested in this approach to completing their Mason Core Exploration Requirements should work closely with their advisor to identify the appropriate Just Societies-flagged courses.

²

Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core.

³

Minimum 3 credits required.