The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.
The courses have been intentionally placed and should be prioritized in
the order
in which they appear. If you are unable to take all the courses in
a semester, you
should prioritize enrolling in the courses in the order below.
Some courses have
been noted as “Appropriate for Intersession” 
. Should you need (or want) to take
classes
in the summer and/or winter intersessions,
the program recommends these courses as appropriate for the condensed
schedule of
the intersessions.
Some pathways combine a “Certificate of Achievement” and an “Associate
Degree”. If
you are pursuing only the Certificate of Achievement, you are only
required to take
the courses marked “Program Requirement” 
.
All pathways include at least one “Gateway Course” 
which introduces you to the program and/or field of study and helps you
decide if you want to continue with this Academic and Career Path.
Most Associate degrees (though not Associate Degrees for Transfer)
require satisfying the SMC Global Citizenship requirement. If the Program
Requirements do not include a “Global Citizenship course” 
, be sure to select a General Education course that also satisfies Global Citizenship.
Programs in philosophy are designed to develop the reasoning skills needed to understand and evaluate beliefs about man, society, reality, knowledge, truth, values, etc. Skills in thinking and problem solving, research, writing, criticism, and analysis are emphasized. Philosophy programs provide a background for fields such as law, theology, journalism, business, or public service. Some students earn graduate degrees to become college philosophy teachers.
This program is intended to prepare students for transfer into the study of Philosophy and incorporates the UC transfer pathway.
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Lower division major preparation for transfer into Philosophy.
- Upon completion of the program, students will: Exhibit strong academic behaviors, evidenced by their timeliness, regular attendance, participation in class activities, adherence to the College Honor Code, and awareness of their opportunities and obligations as students. Demonstrate through oral and/or written work knowledge of various metaphysical and epistemological questions and problems in philosophy including the nature and limits of knowledge, the existence of God, the Mind-Body Problem, the Freedom vs. Determinism and the Absolutism vs. Relativism debates, and related topics in ethics. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and make compelling arguments about the validity, soundness, strength, and cogency of inductive and deductive arguments, and critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of positions/theories relative to a specific problem/issue in metaphysics or epistemology (and/or ethics), with particular attention to the underlying philosophical assumptions contained therein.
Icon Key
-
Gateway Course
-
Program Requirement
-
General Education -
Appropriate for
Intersession
-
Available Online -
Global Citizenship
NOTE: This is a general transfer map that outlines courses required by most institutions. It is highly recommended that you meet with an academic counselor for educational planning, as major requirements vary by institution.
NOTE: This transfer and/or degree program utilizes Cal-GETC as the required General Education pattern. If you started college before Fall 2025, you MAY be able to use either CSU GE or IGETC. You should meet with a counselor to discuss which general education pattern is appropriate for you.
Semester 1
15 Units
This course introduces students to the analysis of various metaphysical and epistemological questions and problems in philosophy, typically including, the nature and limits of knowledge, the existence of God, the Mind-Body Problem, the Freedom vs. Determination debate, and the Absolutism vs. Relativism debate. Related topics in ethics may also be included.
- Area 3: Arts and Humanities
- 3B: Humanities
STAT C1000 (or MATH 54) or MATH 21 recommended
See the full list: Cal-GETC Area 2 Course
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research.
- Prerequisite: Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process
- Area 1A. English Composition
- 1A: English Composition
This course provides an exploration of intellectual, psychological, social and physical factors that impact lifelong learning, well-being and success. Topics include motivation and self-efficacy; critical thinking, academic integrity and active study strategies; health issues and lifestyle choices; relating to others as a global citizen; written and oral communication; time management; career exploration; and educational planning.
COM ST 21 recommended
See the full list: Cal-GETC Area 1C Course
Semester 2
15 Units
This course provides an introduction to the nature of ethical theory (moral philosophy), an analysis of significant ethical theories, and an exploration of the problems encountered in the continuing quest for a satisfactory ethical theory for contemporary society. Some of the main topics in normative ethics and meta-ethics are covered.
- Area 3: Arts and Humanities
- 3B: Humanities
In this course, students receive instruction in critical thinking for purposes of constructing, evaluating, and composing arguments in a variety of rhetorical forms, using primarily non-fiction texts, refining writing skills and research strategies developed in ENGL C1000 Academic Reading and Writing (or C-ID ENGL 100) or similar first-year college writing course.
- Prerequisite: ENGL C1000
- Prerequisite: College-level composition (ENGL C1000/ ENGL C1000H/ ENGL C1000E/C-ID ENGL 100) or equivalent
- Area 1B. Oral Communication and Critical Thinking
- Area 3: Arts and Humanities
- 1B: Critical Thinking and Composition
- 3B: Humanities
WGS 10 recommended
See the full list: Cal-GETC Area 4 Course
ANTHRO 2 recommended
Semester 3
15 Units
This is a beginning course in modern logic covering symbolic notation and translations, and decision procedures for validity and invalidity of arguments in sentential logic and predicate logic.
- Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
This course will acquaint the student with some of the ancient Greek contributions to the Western philosophical and scientific tradition and examine a broad range of central philosophical themes concerning: nature, law, justice, knowledge, virtue, happiness, and death. There will be a strong emphasis on analyses of arguments found in the primary texts.
- Area 3: Arts and Humanities
- 3B: Humanities
POLS C1000 ( or POL SC 1) recommended for CSU graduation requirement
See the full list: Cal-GETC Area 4 Course
Cal-GETC Area 6 Course 3 units
MUSIC 33 recommended
See the full list: Cal-GETC Area 3A Course
Semester 4
15-16 Units
This study of the principal philosophical developments since the Renaissance emphasizes the relation of philosophy to the growth of science and social and cultural changes in the modern period.
- Area 3: Arts and Humanities
- 3B: Humanities
ANTHRO 5 recommended
See the full list: Cal-GETC Area 5C Course
ECON 2 recommended
US HIST course recommended for CSU graduation requirement