Beyond this core, courses are chosen by the student in consultation with the departmental advisor. The program is flexible, allowing students to integrate courses in philosophy with complementary courses in other departments that will aid students in furthering their career goals or in simply pursuing their interests. The small classes allow students to interact closely with faculty on matters that concern them. The issues dealt with in philosophy are important ones in the life of everyone, and the skills developed in its study are indispensable for life and for most careers. A liberal arts education is not a training for a particular career, but a major in philosophy is a useful preparation for any field that requires the ability to think objectively, to analyze data, to draw conclusions on complex and abstract issues, and to express one's ideas clearly in speech and in writing.
Philosophy is an excellent pre-professional major.
Nationally, philosophy students score very well on standardized tests for admission to law, business, and medical schools. Only a few philosophy students continue to work in the field professionally.