Cultivate
Provides opportunities inside and outside the classroom to cultivate and enhance your overall learning and academic experience.
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Department of Philosophy
Explore the Philosophy Major, B.A.
What am I? How can I know things? What is the best life for a human being? Philosophy begins in wonder. We confront questions about truth and justice in a rigorous, careful, and open-ended manner. Students learn to think critically and write persuasively. Philosophy is unlike other disciplines: you learn not just what others have discovered, but also how to think about yourself, the world, and the relation between them.
What Are Milestones?
Milestones are activities students should complete and skills they should develop during their first year, middle years and final year at MSU Denver.
Major Milestones help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan that makes the most of their time at MSU Denver and sets them up for post-graduation success.
Career Milestones provide ways to explore options for jobs and/or attending graduate school after graduation and help students understand the types of essential skills employers look for.
Both types of Milestones integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom), and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences.
Career Milestones Resources
There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.
Essential skills built through majoring in Philosophy include:
- Global Learning, Critical Thinking and Oral & Written Communication:
- Analyze complex issues
- Communicate clearly and accurately
- Think logically
Learn more about essential skills.
Students graduating from Philosophy find themselves as:
- Writer
- Lawyer
- Public policy analyst
- Non-Profit Professional
- Researcher
- Professional Manager
Over the last five years, 48% of our graduates have been double majors and the department offers courses in four of the nine areas of General Studies, both of which help open up career opportunities after graduation.
Explore career opportunities by major.
Many students also choose to pursue a graduate degree.
Learn more about applying to graduate school.
Major Milestones Resources
Learn more about Major Milestones for your major and how to make the most of your time at MSU Denver!
How to Get the Most Out of This Page
Follow These Steps
- Click on your year in school from the list below.
- Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
- Complete any necessary steps listed.
- Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.
All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.
Major Milestones Categories
Engage
Highlights activities you can engage and participate in globally, nationally and locally to enhance your essential skills and start building your resume.
Prepare
Lists steps to prepare for postgraduate success whether that's entering the workforce, attending graduate school or pursuing other goals and plans.
Arrive! What to Explore During Your First Year at MSU Denver
First Year Milestones
- Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
- Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
- Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).
- Check out Career Link for on-campus and career-aligned jobs.
- Attend Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) career workshops and events.
- Write your early experience resume and utilize resume resources from the C2Hub.
- Meet with an academic advisor to map out your academic plan.
- Take History of Ancient and History of Modern Philosophy.
- Speak with professor about opportunities within your department.
- Attend a Philosophy Department or DPHI event.
- Visit a Philosophy Club meeting.
- Visit C2Hub.
- Talk to a faculty advisor about post-grad plans and possibilities.
- Take a 1-credit advanced Philosophy skills class.
Thrive! Make the Most of Your Middle Years at MSU Denver
Middle Years Milestones
- Consider adding a minor or adding a certificate to your chosen major.
- Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
- Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.
- Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
- Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
- Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.
- Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
- Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
- Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.
- Take a Knowledge and Reality course.
- Take a Values course.
- Pick a minor or certificate that fits with your career interests.
- Meet with a faculty advisor.
- Attend department and DPHI events.
- Consider participating in the undergraduate research symposium.
- Apply for department travel funding to present your research.
- Take the 1-credit Philosophy Careers or Graduate Preparation class
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Translate your philosophy skills to your resume
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Pursue an internship or volunteer opportunity
Soar! Maximize Your Final Year at MSU Denver
Final Year Milestones
- Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
- Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
- Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.
- Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
- Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
- Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.
- Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
- Get help on your industry-ready resume, then attend in-person career-focused events.
- Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
- Prepare and submit applications for jobs, explore graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.
- Meet with faculty advisors to ensure you meet all the graduation requirements.
- Complete your senior capstone.
- Apply to graduate.
- Participate in events around campus.
- Gain experience as a TA or tutor.
- Serve as an officer of Philosophy Club.
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Reflect on your transferrable skills and progress in Senior Seminar.
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Refine your resume or grad school application.
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Attend job fairs or apply to graduate school.
Roadrunner Roads
Things every student should do at MSU Denver.
Roadrunner Upkeep
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF/Scholarship Applications every year.
- Stay on track for graduation by meeting with your advisor every year and check into the Rowdy Pit Stop every semester.
- Read The Runner in your email every Monday.
Roadrunner Career Readiness
- Find and get hired for jobs during college and beyond by visiting the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) and utilize C2Hub resources for students.
- To be prepared for any opportunity that comes your way, update your resume early & often.
- Explore options for hands-on learning and explore graduate school & get prepared for both.
- Log in to Career Link each month to stay up to date on programs, events, and job/internship opportunities.
Roadrunner Wellbeing
- Explore wellness and belonging resources from CESA.
- Access mental wellbeing support through the Counseling Center.
- Visit Rowdy’s Corner when you need some food access support.
- Nourish your physical well-being by checking out the Rec Center and checking out Exercise Sciences, including for-credit courses.
- Determine if you need to fill out the Health Insurance Opt-Out Waiver each semester.
Additional College Resources
College of Letters, Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Steps for Success
Major Maps
Download the Philosophy Major B.A. Map (from CLAS), a print version of this webpage so you can refer to it later.
Academic Program Pages
Visit the Philosophy Major, B.A. Academic Program Page to learn more about this program and all it offers.
Student Success Roadmap
Complete additional steps on the CLAS Student Success Roadmap to round out your MSU Denver experience.
Follow Us
Contact the Department of Philosophy
Connect with Us
Phone: (303) 615-0900
Email: [email protected]
Campus Location:
Central Classroom Building (CN)
Room 303
Central Classroom Building, Auraria Campus – Google Map