University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Philosophy and Literature

Think and Act

Leaders Made Here

The power of Philosophy when aligned with a background in Literature can open worlds of knowledge and possibility. The UPJ Philosophy and Literature program illustrates the immense power of a Humanities degree through breadth, depth, and insight.

Communication skills, leadership skills, analysis skills, and critical thinking skills are always in demand across a plurality of careers. Become an expert in each in our program.

We're passionate about seeing you succeed in your career; come expand your horizons and demonstrate your passion with us!

Photo of UPJ Students

Major Program  Minor Program Apply Now

Why Major in Philosophy and Literature at UPJ?

If you dream of a job that has you bringing together philosophical ideas, drawing inspiration from classic and contemporary sources, and analyzing strategy in everything from business to human resources to education, then this is the degree program for you!

  • Learn directly from faculty in classrooms in an intimate, diverse, and personal environment.
  • Have a classroom experience that prioritizes student thinking, creativity, and excellence.
  • Have direct access to educators to speak about career success.
  • Network with like-minded peers and working, established professionals.
  • Gain industry-specific technical skills, including working with advanced technology.
  • Connect the literary wisdom of the past with contemporary technology.

Your Future, Revealed

Careers in Philosophy and Literature are amongst the most diverse, and are always in demand. Every industry benefits from critical thinking, analytical, and classically-trained employees, like:

  • Market Research Analyst
  • Paralegal
  • Judicial Clerk
  • Ethics and Compliance Officer
  • Copywriter
  • Laboratory Research Assistant
  • Outreach Coordinator for Non-Profits
  • High School Teacher
  • Insurance Adjustor
  • Technical Editor or Writer
  • Journalist
  • Public Policy Analyst (Government Sector)
  • Public Policy Analyst (Private Sector)
  • Librarian or Archivist
  • Editorial Assistant

 

$48,000-$65,000

Average starting salary of a Philosophy and Literature Graduate (B.A.) at entry level
US Median, 2021, aggregated across multiple industries (Source: US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, bls.gov)

 

4% Job Growth

Estimated employment sector growth
US, 2021-2031 est. (Source: US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, bls.gov)


Add to Your Degree with a Minor

Want to maximize your employment flexibility? UPJ offers a huge selection of minors to pair with your Philosophy and Literature degree. Some of the most popular choices include:

  • Writing
  • English Literature
  • Marketing
  • Foreign Languages
  • Multimedia and Digital Culture

UPJ Grads Share Their Success

Photo of Dustin Updyke

Dustin Updyke
Dustin graduated from UPJ in 1994 with a BA in English Literature and a minor in Philosophy. He is a Senior Cybersecurity Researcher at the Software Engineering Institute's CERT division at Carnegie Mellon, where he develops training exercise programs to audit cybersecurity readiness. Dustin also earned a graduate degree in Logic, Computation, and Methodology from CMU, focusing on decision theory and artificial intelligence ethics.


Dedicated, Expert Faculty

Photo of UPJ Students

Meet the Philosophy Faculty Meet the Humanities Faculty

UPJ's committed faculty are expert professionals dedicated to helping you achieve your career dreams. Educated, knowledgable, accessible, and supportive, the team of faculty members at UPJ will deliver the educational results you're looking for. Join the winning team, and see your career dreams become career reality!

Humanities Division
233 Biddle Hall 
814-269-7140

Want More Info?

We'd love to welcome you to the UPJ family!

Catalog Normative Schedule of Classes Explore Majors Registrar Apply Now