Double Major / Dual Degree

Learn interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving and stand out to future employers with a double major or dual degree.  

Benefits of a Double Major

In recent years, there has been increasing demand from undergraduate students like you that their degree is more marketable to their prospective employers. Given this, we recommend students complete a double major/dual degree to gain a better position in employment.

Students who pursued double major (or dual degree) have reported a better educational experience than those who completed a single major/degree. They were also more favorable when seeking employment and graduate programs. 

In addition, studying more than one subject encourages an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving, along with a more nuanced understanding of the complex contemporary topics and subjects of study.

Multiple-Dipping Courses

We have agreements with several departments across the campus to encourage our students to double major in our programs (see the options below). Multiple use of a course means using one course for several different major requirements. This is generally allowed only for course requirements in the major, and not for other requirements. The exception to this is that PPEL allows multiple dipping with a Philosophy or Economics minor. Contact the Academic Advisor for PPEL, Megan Theesfeld, for more information.

Students who double major are not required to complete a minor. Those in dual-degree programs can often use courses from their second degree toward the minor requirements in their first degree. Contact your advisor for more details.

The University of Arizona and the Philosophy Department encourage our students to make the most of their time in pursuit of their degree. Therefore, our department allows six units of multiple dipping with any other major. To share major courses, both majors must allow multiple dipping. See double-dipping policies for different UA departments.

Double Major Options

With an increasing need for highly-analytic individuals who can resolve complex and seemingly intractable situations in the medical fields, a dual degree in Care Health & Society (B.S.) and Philosophy (B.A.) is a natural combination. The Philosophy department offers an Ethics Track that is well suited to training individuals to be able to think through the complex ethical dilemmas that face Care Workers on a daily basis.

You may take up to nine credit hours (three classes) that will count toward satisfying the requirements of both programs. These nine credit hours will count toward the “Electives” part of the Philosophy major, in either the General Track or the Ethics Track and toward the elective part of the CHS major. You will still need to fulfill all the core and area distribution requirements for both majors. You may automatically double dip from the following courses (if your course is not listed here, contact Megan Theesfeld to determine course eligibility):

  • PHIL 110: Logical & Critical Thinking
  • PHIL 213: Contemporary Moral Problems
  • PHIL 220: Philosophy of Happiness
  • PHIL 305: Intro to the Philosophy of Science
  • PHIL 321: Medical Ethics
  • PHIL 345: Philosophy & Psychiatry
  • PHIL 347: Neuroethics
  • CHS/SOC 303: Health and Society
  • CHS 309: Ethical Issues Common to the Helping Profession
  • CHS/SOC 350: Environment, Health, and Society
  • CHS/SOC 401: Health Disparities in Society

You may take up to 10 credit hours (three classes) that will count toward satisfying the requirements of both the Classics and Philosophy majors. These 10 credit hours will count toward the “Electives” part of the Philosophy major, in either the General Track or the Ethics Track and toward the departmental elective or language requirements of the Classics major. You will still need to fulfill all the core and area distribution requirements for both majors.

You may double majors may double dip up to 10 credits for both majors from the following courses:

  • PHIL/CLAS 260: Ancient Philosophy
  • PHIL/CLAS 412: Readings in Greek Philosophy
  • PHIL/CLAS 470: Greek Philosophy
  • PHIL/CLAS 472A: Ancient Philosophy (Plato)
  • PHIL/CLAS 472B: Ancient Philosophy (Aristotle)
  • Greek or Latin: Up to 4 credits in GRK or LAT at the 200 level or higher. A Philosophy advisor will determine if the content has enough philosophy to count toward the Philosophy major.

A Bachelor’s degree in Law and Philosophy is a long-standing traditional combination of areas of study. This degree provides students with all the rigorous background in analytical thinking and argumentation found in our highly reputable Philosophy department combined with the study of law-related practices in the specialized fields offered by the School of Government and Public Policy.

Double majoring in Philosophy and Law allows for up to 12 credit hours to be used simultaneously in both majors (double dipping). Contact Megan Theesfeld to determine course eligibility.

Double majoring in both Philosophy and Philosophy, Politics, Economics & Law (PPEL) allows for a more in-depth exploration of PPEL issues using philosophical methods, as well as increased contact with our world-class faculty and graduate instructors. This exciting combination is an excellent way to direct your analysis toward subjects studied in your track.

Double majors in Philosophy (either General or Ethics Tracks) and PPEL can double dip 12 units. Students must be accepted into Advanced Standing for a double major in Philosophy and PPEL to be possible.

The following PPEL courses may be used in the Philosophy major (if you do not see your course listed, contact Megan Theesfeld to determine course eligibility):

  • PHIL 210
  • PHIL/PA/POL 250
  • PHIL 320A
  • PHIL 320B
  • PHIL/PA 330
  • PHIL/PA 321
  • PHIL/PA 322
  • PHIL/PA 323
  • PHIL/PA 324
  • PHIL 410A
  • PHIL 410B
  • PHIL 430A
  • PHIL 430B
  • PHIL 434
  • PHIL 437
  • PHIL /POL 438
  • PHIL 499

You may take up to nine credit hours (three classes) that will count toward satisfying the requirements of both the Religious Studies and Philosophy majors. These nine credit hours will count toward the “Electives” part of the Philosophy major, in either the General Track or the Ethics Track and toward the emphasis and elective parts of the Religious Studies major. You will still need to fulfill all the core and area distribution requirements for both majors.

You may double dip up to 9 credits for both majors from the following courses:

  • PHIL 233: Philosophy of Religion
  • PHIL 245: Existential Problems
  • PHIL 261: Medieval Philosophy
  • PHIL 262: Early Modern Philosophy
  • PHIL 263: From Hegel to Nietzsche: 19th Century Philosophy
  • PHIL 321: Medical Ethics
  • PHIL 323: Environmental Ethics
  • PHIL 325: Jewish Philosophy
  • PHIL 326: God, Humanity & Science
  • PHIL 410: History of Ethics
  • PHIL 415: God & the Problem of Evil

You may take up to nine credit hours (three classes) that will count toward satisfying the requirements of both a Sociology and Philosophy major. These nine credit hours will count toward the “Electives” part of the Philosophy major, in either the General Track or the Ethics Track and toward the departmental elective part of the Sociology major. You will still need to fulfill all the core and area distribution requirements for both majors.

See the School of Sociology website for a list of courses that can be double-dipped between both majors

Other Potential Options

While we do not yet have formal policy arrangements in place with the following departments, it is a possibility that we will in the near future. Regardless, it is still possible for you to set up an arrangement for your particular situation. As a general rule, Philosophy allows six units of cross-listed major coursework to apply to a second major if the other major also allows double use of courses. 

  • Anthropology
  • Creative Writing
  • English
  • Gender & Women's Studies
  • History
  • Linguistics

Contact Megan Theesfeld in the Philosophy Department, and your other major advisor to find out if double use of units is possible for you.