Online Degrees & Certificates
AA Philosophy
Program Description
Philosophy is the oldest academic subject in the world and its concerns have given rise to nearly all other specialized academic disciplines. The primary motivation of philosophy is the same as the underlying motivation of all academic thought; the desire for knowledge and understanding. Philosophy is an attempt to understand our reality, our attempts at knowledge, our quest for a good and meaningful lives and most ambitiously, our construction of a society that might make these good lives possible.
Course work in philosophy will explore the major areas of the discipline. Logic and critical thinking courses will explore the methodology of philosophic discourse and academic discourse in general. The other core courses will explore the epistemological, metaphysical, ethical and political dimensions of philosophy. The philosophy program also offers courses exploring the history of philosophy from its beginnings in the ancient world through contemporary philosophy. The program also offers a collection of courses which explore the philosophic concerns manifested in the world's religions. If you have a curious mind and seek understanding, then philosophy may be the major for you.
Learn more about the program on the Philosophy website.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to critically analyze and evaluate arguments regarding issues of metaphysics and epistemology.
Students will be able to critically analyze and evaluate arguments regarding issues of ethics and political philosophy.
Career Opportunities
Philosophy graduates find careers in law, business, government, counseling, teaching, writing, computer systems analysis and other areas involving analytic skills.
Award Type(s)
AA = Associate in Arts Degree
Units Required
Major: 34
Additional Information
Note: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.
Online Courses for Philosophy
The courses listed BELOW are offered as online courses at least once every two years. Please see the Class Schedule for verification.
- For a complete listing of online courses offered during the current quarter, visit Online Course Information.
- If you need any additional degree information or confirmation, please contact the Counseling Division.
NOTE: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.
Associate Degree Requirements
A minimum of 90 units is required* to complete the associate degree, including:
Core and support courses for the major (34 units total)
Completion of one of the following general education patterns:
Foothill College General Education
Summer Session 2025 only–CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth)**
Summer Session 2025 only–Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)**
Beginning Fall Quarter 2025–California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)***
* Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.
** Summer Session 2025 is the final term during which CSU GE Breadth and IGETC may be used. Please see a counselor for more information.
*** Cal-GETC begins in Fall Quarter 2025. Please see a counselor for more information.
Note: A grade of "C" (or "P") or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree or certificates. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Refer to the Associate in Arts & Associate in Science Degree Requirements page for complete information about graduation requirements and catalog rights.
Core and Support Courses
Core Courses
| ONLINE COURSE | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 4 | Introduction to Philosophy | 4 |
| PHIL 8 | Ethics | 5 |
| PHIL 1 | Critical Thinking & Writing | 5 |
| or PHIL 7 | Introduction to Symbolic Logic | 5 |
Support Courses
| ONLINE COURSE | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 units from the following: | ||
| PHIL 2 | Introduction to Social & Political Philosophy | 4 |
| PHIL 11 | Introduction to the Philosophy of Art & Aesthetics | 4 |
| PHIL 15 | Ethics in Artificial Intelligence | 4 |
| or HUMN 15 | Ethics in Artificial Intelligence | 4 |
| PHIL 20A | History of Western Philosophy from Socrates through St. Thomas | 4 |
| PHIL 20B | History of Western Philosophy from the Renaissance through Kant | 4 |
| PHIL 24 | Comparative World Religions: East | 4 |
| PHIL 25 | Comparative World Religions: West | 4 |
| And 8 units * from the following: | ||
| ANTH 2A | Cultural Anthropology | 4 |
| or ANTH 2AH | Honors Cultural Anthropology | 4 |
| ART 2A | History of Art: History of Western Art from Prehistory through Early Christianity | 4.5 |
| or ART 2AH | Honors History of Art: History of Western Art from Prehistory through Early Christianity | 4.5 |
| ART 2B | History of Western Art from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance | 4.5 |
| or ART 2BH | Honors History of Western Art from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance | 4.5 |
| ART 2C | History of Western Art from the Baroque to Impressionism | 4.5 |
| ART 2F | Introduction to Asian Art | 4.5 |
| BUSI 70 | Business & Professional Ethics | 4 |
| HIST 4A | History of Western Civilization to 800 CE | 4 |
| HIST 4B | History of Western Civilization: 700-1800 | 4 |
| HIST 4C | History of Western Civilization 1789-Present | 4 |
| HIST 18 | Introduction to Middle Eastern Civilization | 4 |
| HUMN 1 | Cultures, Civilizations & Ideas: The Ancient World | 4 |
| or HUMN 1H | Honors Cultures, Civilizations & Ideas: The Ancient World | 4 |
| HUMN 2 | Cultures, Civilizations & Ideas: Of Empires & Conflict | 4 |
| or HUMN 2H | Honors Cultures, Civilizations & Ideas: Of Empires & Conflict | 4 |
| HUMN 5 | Cultures, Civilizations & Ideas: The Modern World | 4 |
| HUMN 6 | The Shock of the New: From the Modern to the Contemporary | 4 |
| or HUMN 6H | Honors The Shock of the New: From the Modern to the Contemporary | 4 |
| POLI 3 | Introduction to Political Philosophy/Political Theory | 5 |
| or POLI 3H | Honors Introduction to Political Philosophy/Political Theory | 5 |
| POLI 9 | International Political Economy | 4 |
| or POLI 9H | Honors International Political Economy | 4 |
| PSYC 1 renumbering to PSYC C1000 effective Fall 2025 | Introduction to Psychology | 5 |
| or PSYC 1H renumbering to PSYC C1000H effective Fall 2025 | Introduction to Psychology - Honors | 5 |
| PSYC 4 | Introduction to Biopsychology | 5 |
| SOC 1 | Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| or SOC 1H | Honors Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| Total Units |
34 | |
* Students may also use additional philosophy courses from the first section of support courses to fulfill the requirement for the second section of support courses.
For a list of on-campus courses that satisfy degree requirements, please visit Associate Degree for Philosophy 2025-2026.
Based on the 2025 - 2026 degree program.