Philosophy Concentration
At A Glance
Program Type
Concentration in the theology major (BA)
Accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
After Graduation
Preparation for wide range of careers, including ministry, social services, education and law
Discipleship
Study with Christian philosophers, trained in theology and experienced in ministry
Philosophy – the love of wisdom – is central to the active life of the mind, and the analytical and communication techniques you develop in our philosophy concentration, part of our theology major, give you a strong foundation for the workplace or further study.
Which undergraduate program averages highest on the GRE (admission test for graduate schools)? Philosophy! On the LSAT (for law school)? Philosophy is usually first. And philosophy students are one of the best on the GMAT (for business school) and the MCAT (for medical school). How is this possible? It's possible because studying philosophy equips you to think well, whatever you choose to think about.
Not planning on going to graduate school? Still, philosophy is the most lucrative humanities program! Research shows that philosophy students have the highest starting salary of all humanities programs and the highest percentage increase in mid-career salary. So philosophy is instrumentally valuable. But it is also intrinsically valuable. What's the difference? You'll learn by studying philosophy!
Program Distinctives Why Study Philosophy at George Fox?
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Our professors draw from the best of George Fox’s evangelical Quaker heritage in their research and teaching, doing philosophy as Christians with an eye to the concerns and needs of the church.
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At George Fox, we want to honor Christ by asking and answering perennial questions about truth, reality, knowledge, beauty, and goodness. We study these things to develop a comprehensive Christian worldview and character.
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We study Christian apologetics to build a deep personal commitment to Jesus, grow in our understanding of how Christianity makes sense, and minister effectively to others.
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Some think that there are no right or wrong answers in normative philosophy (i.e., that “all views are equal”). This is itself a philosophical theory, and a bad one. We teach students to think critically and to reject lazy conclusions.
Courses / Curriculum What Will I Study?
Career Outlook What’s After George Fox
Our graduates have gone on to careers in ministry, business, theater/acting, social work, nonprofit leadership, law school, marketing, nursing and graduate degrees at all levels around the world.
Data shows that those majoring in topics like religion, ancient languages and history, and philosophy rank near the top of test scores on the LSAT as well as the GRE. Courses within our department specialize in the exact skills that are now ranked as the most desirable for companies hiring new employees, such as problem solving, processing complex information, verbal and written communication, teamwork, and the ability to influence others.
- Night Ministry, Portland Rescue Mission
- Nurse, Sisters of Providence
- Youth Minister, 2nd Street Community Church
- Lead Strategist, Nike
- Dentist, La Clinica
- Translator, Wycliffe Bible Translators
- Chaplain, United States Air Force
- Adjunct Professor, University of Notre Dame
- Missionary in Indonesia, Wycliffe Bible Translators
- Principal, Newman Catholic Middle/High School
- English Teacher in Rwanda, Rwanda Yearly Meeting of Friends
- Red Hills Church
- Northside Community Church
- Church on the Hill
- National Parks (Denver, Colorado)
- Youth Dynamics
- Mission Year
- 2nd Street Community Church
- Love, INC
- Friendsview Retirement Community
- Minuteman Community Education
- Catholic Community Services
- Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div)
- Yale Divinity School (M.A.R.)
- Yale Institute of Sacred Music (M.A.R.)
- Emory University (M.T.S.)
- Duke Divinity School (M.T.S.)
- Fuller Theological Seminary (M.A./M.Div.)
- Portland Seminary (M.Div/M.A.T.S.)
- Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (M.Div.)
- Western Seminary (M.Div.)
- Oxford University (M.A.)
- University of Edinburgh (M.A.)
- Regent College (M.A./M.Div.)
Jenna Richards
George Fox prepared me to engage with those across the spectrum of religious thought in a way that is sensitive to differences while remaining academically rigorous. I learned ways in which my ‘head knowledge’ has practical and serious meaning for vulnerable, oppressed, and marginalized people. The field of theology is immensely political, relational, and has the potential to be socially radical. I feel most myself when learning, in all forms. I see wholeness in the intellectual tradition of my faith communities. At its best, a Christian education is a ministry of hospitality, and the School of Theology invites you in and teaches how to invite others into the world of theology, faith and academics.
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