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PART-TIME PATHWAYS (3 to 5 years) are available for most degrees. To qualify to take college-level classes, some students may be required to take college preparation classes first.

YEAR ONE – FALL

Course Title Credits Milestone Pre-req Schedule tips
PHI101 Introduction to Philosophy 3 ☑ ☑
ENG101 English Composition I 3
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology 3
HIS111
or
HIS121
Western Civilization I
or
World Civilization I
3
PHI202
or
PHI102
History of Modern Philosophy
or
Basic Issues in Philosophy
3
CREDITS: 15

YEAR ONE – Spring

Course Title Credits Milestone Pre-req Schedule tips
PHI110 Ethics 3 ☑ ☑
PHI121 Practical Logic 3 ☑ ☑
PHI204
or
PHI206
Philosophy through Film
or
Existentialism
3 PHI204-Written Communication
PHI206 – Public Presentation
ENG102 English Composition II 3
HIS112
or
HIS122
Western Civilization II
or
World Civilization II
3 HIS111->HIS112
HIS121->HIS122
CREDITS: 15

YEAR TWO – FALL

Course Title Credits Milestone Pre-req Schedule tips
PHI102
or
PH202
Basic Issues in Philosophy
or
History of Modern Philosophy
3 ☑ Fall Only
LIT201 American Literature I* 3 Literature Elective
REL101 World Religions 3 ☑ Global Awareness
BIO103
And
BIO104
Human Nutrition and Health
And
Laboratory
3/4 Lab Science
MATT122
or
MAT125
Quantitative Reasoning
or
MAT125
3
or
4
MAT118 or higher
CREDITS: 15-17

YEAR TWO – Spring

Course Title Credits Milestone Pre-req Schedule tips
LIT202 American Literature II 3 Literature Elective
ERS125 Environmental Issues 3/4 Lab Science
ANT101 Cultural Anthropology 3 Behavioral Science Elective
PHI204
or
PHI 206
Philosophy through Film
or
Existentialism
3
ART101
or
ART121
Introduction to Art
or
Introduction to Photography
3 Free Elective
CREDITS: 15-16

TOTAL CREDITS:60-62

Program Snapshot

  • Prepares students for transferring into liberal arts program at four-year colleges and universities.
  • Provides essential critical thinking and knowledge skills for an informed life.
  • Students will understand the diversity of ways in which people have approached philosophical issues throughout history.
  • Students will engage in life-long task of developing a philosophy of life, analyzing contemporary issues in a critical manner.
  • Students can start program in Summer, Fall or Spring semesters.
  • Philosophy is an excellent discipline to pursue if you wish to enter into a career in law, education, public service, religion, or business.
  • Philosophy graduates have some of the highest GMAT, LSAT, and GRE scores (standardized tests) of all undergraduate majors.
  • Many classes are available entirely online.

Helpful Hints

  • Courses should be taken in order indicated here.
  • Required philosophy classes and electives transfer to many four-year colleges and universities.
  • Philosophy electives include Philosophy through film (PHI204-Spring), History of Modern Philosophy (PHI202 -Fall), and Existentialism (PHI206-Spring). Each is offered in one semester only during a two-year cycle.
  • Graduating from the Liberal Arts: Philosophy Option within two years demands that students take philosophy electives when available, and take a minimum of five courses per semester.
  • *Courses are electives. Recommended, but can be replaced by other courses in the area.
  • For advising help Liberal Arts: Philosophy Option students should contact Professor Meredith Gunning, Coordinator of the Program at (978) 556-3539 or mgunning@necc.mass.edu

Milestone Courses

Milestone courses are the most important for success in the program, should be taken in the sequence shown, and may require certain grades or other outcomes for your continued progress toward graduation. They may also cover most, or all the six core skills required for graduation.

Disclaimer

You are encouraged to use this pathway checklist with an advisor as a worksheet when planning your progress toward a degree or certificate. This checklist is not your academic transcript and it is not official notification of completion of degree or certificate requirements.

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