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The Department of History, Philosophy, and Liberal Studies prepares students for future roles as global citizens and for various career opportunities as educators, researchers, legal professionals, public servants, curators, and media and business professionals, to name a few.
Alumni in arts, humanities, and social sciences are employed or in graduate school within 6 months after graduation
Average starting salaries in History, Philosophy, and Liberal Studies fields (NACE)
Noteworthy History, Philosophy, and Liberal Studies Jobs and Mid-Career Salaries with 8+ Years of Experience (PayScale)
The ethics degree provides students with training in ethical frameworks and methods that benefit them in both future professional duties and personal decision-making. Awareness of ethical issues helps prepare students for employment in a global marketplace. It also prepares students for graduate professional studies in a variety of fields. The major brings together a community of students interested in practical, contemporary problems such as the recent collapse of the stock market and global financial systems, the nature of professionalism, stem cell research, whether people have a right to healthcare, and what we owe to future generations. The ethics major is structured to explore involved global issues from the perspective of the individual and personal responsibility, as well as organizations and social responsibility.
View academic program requirements and course descriptions in the University Course Catalog:
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The History major at William Paterson University is a 36-credit program offering students a variety of courses across geographical regions and thematic perspectives. Our courses provide students with a broad understanding of the human condition, the diversity of human experience, and the origins of our contemporary regional and global connections. We prepare students for future roles as global citizens and for various career opportunities as educators, researchers, legal professionals, public servants, curators, media and business professionals, to name a few.
The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences offers opportunities for a degree in liberal studies at the BA level. This program combines interdisciplinary training in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, allowing students to design a flexible yet rigorous program. Students declare two tracks from a variety of academic fields of study, including American Studies, Anthropology, Criminology and Criminal Justice, English, History, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Sociology, and other options. The liberal studies major prepares students for a wide range of careers and is ideal for those who seek a broad-based education and for pre-service teachers seeking certification in P-3, K-5, and 5-8 education.
The American Studies Minor is an 18-credit inter-disciplinary program that combines United States history, politics, literature, and culture.
A minor in Ethics offers provides students with the opportunity to take courses that study theory, empirical research and analysis. Minoring in Ethics will train students in ethical frameworks and methods to ensure successful execution of both future professional duties and personal decision-making. This minor complements a variety of majors, including nursing, public health, business, finance, pre-law, and majors across the humanities.
The History minor is an 18-credit program. History has important links to other fields of study, including political science, philosophy, literature, economics, law, criminal justice, and social justice.
A minor in Philosophy offers a rich variety of traditional courses in Ancient Greek, medieval, modern, nineteenth and twentieth century philosophy, along with specific courses in philosophical areas such as logic, ethics, political and social philosophy, philosophy of mind, theory of knowledge, philosophy of language, philosophy of religion, philosophy of art, existentialism, phenomenology, metaphysics, as well as Eastern philosophy and religion. Many of these courses are chosen by non-majors as part of their liberal studies, general education requirements, or free electives.
This 12-credit Certificate in Genealogy and Family History is open to anyone interested in exploring genealogical research and family history. In their various coursework for this certificate program, students will learn how to effectively research and analyze a variety of historical source materials, including census data, oral histories, maps, town records, military records, personal letters and diaries, and material culture. Learn more »
» Current students sign-up here: Declare Certificate » If you are not currently enrolled as a student, please apply here.
The Healthcare Ethics certificate is a 12-credit interdisciplinary program that can be added to any major. This certificate program provides students with training in critical reasoning, ethical frameworks and methods, and applied healthcare ethics coursework to ensure successful execution of both future professional duties and personal decision-making.
The structure of the Healthcare Ethics certificate requires two core courses and two healthcare ethics electives. Interdisciplinary research and knowledge is encouraged by having concentration offerings from across the college and university. Learn more »
This new 12-credit certificate program in Mindfulness and Wellness offers interdisciplinary approaches to personal well-being by promoting both the academic study and applied practices of yoga, meditation, mindfulness, contemplative studies, and other wellness traditions. Learn more »
The Professional Ethics certificate is a 12-credit interdisciplinary program that can be added to any major. This certificate program provides students with training in critical reasoning, ethical frameworks and methods, and professional ethics coursework to allow successful execution of both future professional duties and personal decision-making.
The structure of the Professional Ethics certificate requires two core courses and two professional ethics electives. Interdisciplinary research and knowledge is encouraged by having concentration offerings from a variety of disciplines. Learn more »
Students in our programs benefit from the expertise of our professors and a variety of interdisciplinary course offerings. Students can pursue internships at local museums and historical societies; participate in civic engagement/service-learning activities; and earn membership in Phi Sigma Tau (Philosophy Honor Society) or Phi Alpha Theta (the international history honor society).
In our history, philosophy, and liberal studies programs, students learn in-demand skills that employers have identified as critical for job candidates, including:
Our history, philosophy, and liberal studies graduates pursue education careers as teachers, principals, and librarians, as well as positions in law and government as lawyers and public administrators. Our alumni excel in such fields as business, natural sciences, communication, public health, accounting, law, psychology, government, social work, marketing, and many others.
Many graduates have gone on to graduate school or law school, including Rutgers Law School, Duke University, University of Texas, Albert Einstein’s College of Medicine, and many more.
Our professors are proud practitioners in their fields and love to share their expertise beyond the classroom. Mentorship is at the core of our department, and it’s our goal that every student work directly with a faculty member to expand their knowledge and worldview.
Philosophy and elementary education, pursuing PhD in philosophy at Temple University
And we're ready to help you grow. At William Paterson, we provide students with the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to forge forward as a powerhouse—both in the classroom and in their careers. Apply today to discover your potential.
