LIBERAL STUDIES, RELIGIOUS STUDIES AND PHILOSOPHY
Bachelor's Degree Programs
The liberal arts and humanities can unlock innovation, challenge viewpoints, build emotional intelligence and encourage collaboration.
With a major in liberal studies, and emphases or minors in philosophy and world religions and a range of electives, the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at UW-Whitewater offers you the flexibility to build a course of study that fits your interests and career goals — and gives you a foundation for a future in nearly any field.
In addition to our on-campus program, we offer the same high-quality curriculum and instruction in an online format.
CAN WE BRAG A LITTLE?
Students from UW-Whitewater’s liberal studies major secured a job in their field or pursued an advanced degree within six months of graduation. (2020-21 research report respondents)
Why major in Liberal Studies at UW-Whitewater?
If you’re looking for answers to life’s biggest questions, you might find them at UW-Whitewater:
Liberal Studies Bachelor’s Degree: An in-depth exploration of the human condition, this interdisciplinary major will prepare you for a breadth of opportunities. Liberal Studies is also available as a minor.
Minor in World Religions: Whatever subject you choose to major in, religious studies courses can enrich your academic experience.
Minor in Philosophy: No matter what you choose to earn a degree in, philosophy courses will develop high-level analytical thinking and reasoning skills that are invaluable for leadership positions.
And you don’t need to major in philosophy or earn a degree in religious studies to build an appreciation for reasoning, knowledge, reality, meaning, ethics and traditions: Warhawks of all majors explore courses from our programs to fulfill general education requirements.
Changing your major?
Liberal Studies is one of the most popular options for students looking to change their major, due to our flexible and well-rounded program. Our faculty will work with you to help transfer course credits easily into the liberal studies major.
What our students do
Make discoveries through undergraduate research
Experience the world while studying abroad
Participate in campus clubs and activities
Personalize your degree: Liberal Studies courses
Choose the path your Liberal Studies degree will take, based on your personal and professional interests, from hundreds of courses across four main areas. Just a sample of the offerings at UW-Whitewater, include:
Personal and Social Responsibility areas
- Business Ethics
- Technology and Social Responsibility
- Evil and Religion
- Contemporary Moral Issues
- Bioethics
- Intro to Peace and Social Justice
Writing, Intellectual, Practical and Expressive Skills areas
- Writing in the Sciences
- Legal Research and Writing
- Basic Social Statistics
- Computer Applications
- Cross Cultural Communication
- Writing for the Web
- Theatre Practicum (acting, sound, directing, etc.)
- Dance or Music (many available)
Content areas
- North American/European Cultural Heritages (at least 3 credits)
- Society and Identity (at least 3 credits)
- Global Studies (at least 3 credits)
- Physical and Natural Sciences (optional)
Experience areas
- Internship
- Travel study/study abroad
Campus and community involvement
Student organizations that might appeal to our majors and minors include:
- Law Society
- Forensics (debate team)
- Japanese Anime Cultural Society
- Southeast Asian Organization
- International Student Association
- Peace, Education, Activism Through Creative Engagement (PEACE)
UW-Whitewater is also home to several faith-based student organizations that are active on campus and within the community.
What our graduates do
Government agencies and community-based organizations
Media, education and the arts
Graduate and professional school
Liberal Studies, Religious Studies and Philosophy career opportunities
UW-Whitewater students with a major or minor from our department find a wide range of opportunities after graduation.
Our liberal studies majors found positions such as:
- Combat photojournalist, U.S. Air Force
- Study abroad coordinator, State University of New York at Albany
- Dermatology sales representative, Foamix Pharmaceuticals
- Development and outreach manager, Central Asia Institute
- Senior QA analyst, Amazon Web Services
- Recruiter, Manpower
- Assistant professor, Boston Conservatory at Berklee
- Student Information System specialist, Verona Area School District
For graduates who majored in philosophy or religious studies, career opportunities include:
- Pastor/youth pastor
- Elementary coordinator at a community church
- Communications director for a church
- Probation agent for the state of Wisconsin
- Philosophy instructor
- Product marketing specialist
- Program associate for county corrections department
- Public defender
- eBusiness manager
- Assistant director of student life
- Content writer
Graduate and professional school
Many of our majors and minors attend graduate school and pursue advanced degrees such as:
- Juris Doctorate
- Master of Arts in Higher Education
- Master of Arts in the New Testament
- Master of Divinity
- Master of Fine Arts in Dance
- Master of Science in Counseling (marital therapy)
- Master of Science in Cybersecurity
And they attend schools such as:
- DePaul University
- Marquette Law School
- Moravian Theological Seminary
- The Ohio State University
- University of Denver
Julie Wilson, from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, earned a B.A. in communication and liberal studies and was hired as an AmeriCorps Recovery Corps service member with the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
"My proudest achievements are winning the Lucy Baker Involvement Award, and earning the Dr. Ernella S. Hunziker Scholarship. I'd like to acknowledge Molly Goecks for easing my anxiety about finding and scheduling my classes and Anne Mancl for demonstrating great care for her students."
Our faculty
We have a diverse faculty with a range of teaching and research interests including:
- Asian religions
- Bioethics
- Social philosophy
- Philosophy of gender and race
- Philosophy of physics
- German philosophy
- Peace-building
- Death and dying
- Memory studies
- Hebrew Bible criticism
Want to learn more about majoring in liberal studies, religious studies or philosophy?
262-472-4775 | prsdept@uww.edu
UW-Whitewater’s Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies offers the following undergraduate programs:
- Bachelor of Arts — Liberal Studies (with minor)
- Bachelor of Science — Liberal Studies (with minor)
- Bachelor of Arts — Liberal Studies (no minor)
- Bachelor of Science — Liberal Studies (no minor)
- Bachelor of Arts — Liberal Studies (Honors)
- Bachelor of Science — Liberal Studies (Honors)
- Bachelor of Arts — Liberal Studies, Philosophy emphasis
- Bachelor of Science — Liberal Studies, Philosophy emphasis
- Bachelor of Arts — Liberal Studies, Religious Studies emphasis
- Bachelor of Science — Liberal Studies, Religious Studies emphasis
Minors:
Certificates:
In addition to UW-Whitewater’s general education requirements, as a liberal studies major, you’ll take Introduction to Liberal Studies and choose your remaining courses from electives and advanced classes from departments across the university. Students in the Honors emphasis are required to choose an area of focus and complete 12-15 credits on classes related to that theme.
Minor in Philosophy: Degree Requirements
A minor in philosophy requires two core courses: Logic and Intro to Ethics or Contemporary Moral Issues. In addition to one required history of philosophy class (choose from several options), you will customize the rest of your minor with electives such as Bioethics, Truth and the Media, Knowledge and Reality, Feminist Theory and Philosophy of Science.
Minor in World Religions: Degree Requirements
A minor in philosophy requires two core courses: Logic and Intro to Ethics or Contemporary Moral Issues. In addition to one required history of philosophy class (choose from several options), you will customize the rest of your minor with electives such as Bioethics, Truth and the Media, Knowledge and Reality, Feminist Theory and Philosophy of Science.
The UW-Whitewater religious studies program requires two core courses: Introduction to Asian Religions and Introduction to Western Religions.
You’ll have the flexibility to customize the rest of your World Religions minor with approved electives in religious studies, as well as in history, English, and sociology. Options include:
- Buddhism: The Middle Way
- Religion, Sexuality and Gender
- Religion in American Culture
- Introduction to Islamic Civilizations
- The Bible as Literature
To apply, you’ll complete the UW-Whitewater standard application for admission and indicate your major or minor of interest.
