BA Philosophy at Vanderbilt University

Programme overview

The Department of Philosophy offers a wide range of courses that relate philosophy to various dimensions of human concern. Philosophy Major The philosophy major emphasizes three broad areas of scholarly and teaching excellence: ethics, social and political philosophy, and the history of philosophy. Requirements The major can be tailored to the needs and interests of each student.

Faculty: College of Arts and Science | Department: Philosophy | Duration: 30 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Location: Nashville, TN, United States

What you will study

All students are required to complete the following distribution of courses: Logic: PHIL 1003 or 3003 (at least 3 credit hours) Ethics: PHIL 1005, 3605, or 3606 (at least 3 credit hours) History of Philosophy: PHIL 2100, 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104, or 3004 (at least 6 credit hours) Any alterations must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies . Students must complete 18 credit hours, including at least 12 credit hours in courses beyond the 1000 level.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to Vanderbilt University through the College of Arts and Science; no separate programme-level admission requirements are listed for the major (the major is declared after enrolment).

USD 69,822 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate full-year tuition 2026-27 ($34,911 per semester for 12-18 hours); one undergraduate rate is published for all students, with no separate in-state or international rate. Excludes student support fee, housing, meals and health insurance. Source

First-year applicants apply for fall 2027 entry under Early Decision I, Early Decision II or Regular Decision; transfer applicants apply on a rolling basis through the spring.

Early Decision I (binding): completed application due 1 November 2026, decisions in mid-December, matriculation deposit due 31 December 2026. Early Decision II (binding): completed application due 1 January 2027, decisions in mid-February, deposit due 1 March 2027. Regular Decision (non-binding): completed application due 1 January 2027, decisions in late March, deposit due 1 May 2027.

Blair School of Music applicants also submit the Blair School of Music Application with a pre-screening video, due 1 November 2026 for Early Decision I and 1 December 2026 (priority) for Early Decision II and Regular Decision.

Transfer: priority deadline 15 February 2027 for a completed application; decisions on a rolling basis from late April 2027.

Applications are accepted through the Coalition Application (powered by Scoir), the Common Application or QuestBridge. SAT or ACT scores are optional for fall 2027 and fall 2028 entry and required for fall 2029 entry; international applicants must show English proficiency (waived above 26 ACT English or 630 SAT EBRW).

Merit scholarship applications are due 1 December 2026. CSS Profile and FAFSA priority deadlines are 1 November 2026 (Early Decision I), 1 January 2027 (Early Decision II) and 1 February 2027 (Regular Decision).

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/

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