Philosophy, A.A.-T

An Associate in Arts in Philosophy for Transfer degree will fulfill the requirements for students to transfer to the CSU System as a Philosophy major. Logic and critical thinking courses provide students with an ability to analyze arguments, assess philosophical questions, and to read and think critically. History of philosophy and ethics classes guide students to an understanding of the central figures, questions, and themes throughout the history of philosophy. All courses seek to develop and enhance students’ abilities to think critically about texts and philosophical ideas and to articulate and defend arguments through both written and oral academic discourse.

AA.PHIL.OPTBAAT or AA.PHIL.OPTCAAT

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Begin by exploring MSJC program maps to find career or transfer opportunities.  Program maps show the recommended course sequence that leads to graduation or transfer. The maps were developed by program experts to give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.    

  • Starting in Spring? Choose Fall Semester 1 courses.   
  • Are you a part-time student?  Start Fall Semester 1 courses and follow the course sequence.

CSU: General Education Option B

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ENGL-101 College Composition 3
COMM-100 Public Speaking 3
PHIL-101 Introduction to Philosophy I 3
MATH-140 Introduction to Statistics 3
HIST-101 Western Civilization to 1650 (formerly Western Civilization I: to 1500) 3
 Units15
Spring Semester 1
PHIL-112
Critical Thinking and Composition
or Critical Thinking and Writing
3
PS-101 Introduction to American Government and Politics 3
PHIL-103 Logic 3
Select one of the following: 3
Latinx/Chicanx Literature
Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
ENVS-100 Humans and Scientific Inquiry 3
 Units15
Fall Semester 2
Select one of the following: 4
Elementary Spanish I
Elementary French I
American Sign Language I
PHIL-109 Ancient and Medieval Philosophy 3
PHIL-105 Introduction to Ethics 3
ANTH-101 Biological Anthropology 3
ANTH-111 Biological Anthropology Lab 1
HIST-118 History of World Religions (formerly HUM-104 World Religions) 3
 Units17
Spring Semester 2
PSYC-101 Introduction to Psychology 3
PHIL-110 Modern and Contemporary Philosophy (formerly Renaissance and Modern Philosophy) 3
HIST-102 Western Civilization Since 1650 (formerly Western Civilization II: From 1500 to the Present Era) 3
Select one of the following: 3
World Art
History and Appreciation of Dance
History of Jazz and Blues
HIST-111
U.S. History to 1877
or U.S. History Since 1865
3
 Units15
 Total Units62

Language Requirement: Some CSU's require the equivalency of an intermediate language proficiency for graduation. Please see a counselor for more detail regarding specific CSU major and graduation requirements. 

UC: General Education Option C

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ENGL-101 College Composition 3
COMM-100 Public Speaking 3
PHIL-101 Introduction to Philosophy I 3
MATH-140 Introduction to Statistics 3
HIST-101 Western Civilization to 1650 (formerly Western Civilization I: to 1500) 3
 Units15
Spring Semester 1
PHIL-112
Critical Thinking and Composition
or Critical Thinking and Writing
3
PS-101
Introduction to American Government and Politics
or U.S. History to 1877
or U.S. History Since 1865
3
PHIL-103 Logic 3
SPAN-101
Elementary Spanish I
or Elementary French I
or American Sign Language I
4
ENVS-100 Humans and Scientific Inquiry 3
 Units16
Fall Semester 2
HIST-102 Western Civilization Since 1650 (formerly Western Civilization II: From 1500 to the Present Era) 3
PHIL-109 Ancient and Medieval Philosophy 3
PHIL-105 Introduction to Ethics 3
ANTH-101 Biological Anthropology 3
ANTH-111 Biological Anthropology Lab 1
HIST-118 History of World Religions (formerly HUM-104 World Religions) 3
 Units16
Spring Semester 2
PHIL-110 Modern and Contemporary Philosophy (formerly Renaissance and Modern Philosophy) 3
HIST-118 History of World Religions (formerly HUM-104 World Religions) 3
LIT-106 Introduction to Literature (formerly ENGL-106) 3
ART-104
World Art
or History and Appreciation of Dance
or History of Jazz and Blues
3
Select one of the following: 3
Ethnic Politics in America
Black History in the American Context
American Indian Literature (formerly ENGL-240)
Latinx/Chicanx Literature
Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
 Units15
 Total Units62

NOTE: For students who did not meet the LOTE requirement in high school, they may fulfill Area 6 by demonstrating proficiency by completing ASL-100 American Sign Language I, FREN-101 Elementary French I, or SPAN-101 Elementary Spanish I with a grade C or better. Languages other than English for Native Speakers are also acceptable for meeting this requirement.  

Course Title Credits
Required Core Courses
PHIL-101Introduction to Philosophy I3
or PHIL-101H Honors Introduction to Philosophy I
PHIL-103Logic3
List A: Select one
PHIL-109Ancient and Medieval Philosophy3
or PHIL-112 Critical Thinking and Composition
List B: Select two
Select any course from List A not used above or one of the following:6
Western Civilization to 1650 (formerly Western Civilization I: to 1500)
Western Civilization Since 1650 (formerly Western Civilization II: From 1500 to the Present Era)
History of World Religions (formerly HUM-104 World Religions)
List C: Select one
Select any course from List A nor List B not used above or one of the following:3
Critical Thinking and Writing
Honors Critical Thinking and Writing
Total Units18
Course Title Credits
Units for Major18
CSU General Education or IGETC Pattern37-39
Possible double counting: 12-15
Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 CSU transferable units)

Total Units for A.A.-T Degree: 60 units

The overall requirements for this Associates Degree for Transfer (ADT) can be met by:

  • Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC).
  • Completion of California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements (CSUGE)  or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC).
  • Completion of a minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
  • Completion of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

ADTs also require that students earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A “P” (Pass) grade is acceptable if pass is defined as a grade of C or better. ADTs are intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. A student completing an ADT is guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not a particular campus or major. Students should meet with a Counselor to develop a comprehensive educational plan to further understand university and transfer requirements.

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