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Prof. James Hamilton
For several decades there
has been a little known degree
offered at Penn State called the
Bachelor of Philosophy
Degree. It has been attempted
by few and completed by even
fewer. I have been asked to shed
some light on this degree
program so, here goes.
First, let me tell you what
the program is not. It is not a
Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Philosophy. Like a Doctor of
Philosophy Degree, it is a
degree in a specific area of study
rather than a degree that studies
primarily philosophy. The
name comes from the notion
that, like a PhD, the student
designs the degree to fit his or
her particular and unique
interests. The subsequent
studies are in depth. It is not a
degree for students who do not
know what they want to do
and are looking for a way to
find some sort of focus. It is not
a degree for students who just
want to sample a little from
here and a little from there in a
superficial and unconnected
way with the hope that they
can accumulate enough credits
to qualify for a diploma some
day. It is not for students who
could get the degree they want
somewhere at Penn State but
are location-bound (cannot or
will not move) and simply
want to stay at their present
location. It is most definitely
not a degree for students who
are academically weak and
think that if they could just take
only the kinds of courses they
like, they would get better
grades.
In contrast to the above, the
Bachelor of Philosophy Degree
has some specific requirements
and intents. It is a degree for
students who very much know
what they want to study and
have found that there is no
degree currently at Penn State
that will enable them to do so.
It is a degree that requires
students to be self-motivated,
highly organized, and
academically sound. And it is
a degree that enables students
to choose from among the
wide variety of Penn State
programs for the purpose of
focusing on a particular subject
in a deeply meaningful
(philosophical) rather than
superficial way.
The process by which one
enters into the Bachelor of
Philosophy degree program is
a fairly complex one. Because
the student is creating her or his
program from scratch, much
thought must go into its
construction. Since, to my
knowledge, this is the first time
the degree will be offered at a
campus other than University
Park, the exact order of events
is still to be determined.
However, the process would go
something like this. Students
who have an interest in a
particular area of study should
first determine that Penn State
does not already offer a degree
program that suits their needs.
If there is no appropriate
program, they should then seek
out a faculty member to be a
preceptor (advisor) for their
intended program or, if they are
unsure of who might be
appropriate, they should go to
Dr. Francis Achampong (the
Director of Academic Affairs)
for help in selecting a preceptor.
The students, along with their
preceptors, should then put
together the degree program in
as much detail as they can,
including all of the courses,
faculty, ‘and timetables
involved. It should be noted
that all general education
requirements must be met,
though there is, perhaps a bit
more flexibility than normal.
At this point each student, the
preceptor, and Dr. Achampong
would get together to assemble
a Bachelor of Philosophy
Degree Committee from
among the population of
faculty designated as B-Phil
faculty. The committee would
generally consist of 3-5 faculty,
though the exact number is not
specified. Each student would
then present his or her program
to the committee for approval
in much the same way that a
masters or doctoral student
presents a research design. The
following section is verbatum
from the B-Phil web page.
Requirements for Admission
1. An entry interview with the
candidate, the preceptor, and
the members of the Bachelor of
Philosophy Degree Committee
is required prior to admission
to the program. This
preliminary interview provides
an opportunity for the
candidate to discuss and justify
the intended use of the
Bachelor or Philosophy degree
program, and the unique
circumstances that surround
the applicant.
2. Second-, third-, and fourth-
semester students may apply;
those selected will begin their
programs the following
semester. Exceptions may be
approved by the committee.
3. Evidence of successful
completion of course work
requiring independent research
is required. In addition, the
committee will consider the
applicant’s cumulative grade-
point average as an index of
academic performance and
responsibility. Applicants must
possess the capability of
performing at a 3.0 minimum
level.
4. Approval of the student’s
program by the committee is
required.
Requirements for Graduation
1. Satisfactory completion of
General Education.
2. Satisfactory completion of a
program approved by the
committee: (a) a minimum of
120 credits to include at least
18 credits at the 400 or 500
level; (b) certification by the
faculty preceptor; (c) and
approval of a thesis, or thesis
equivalent, by the faculty
preceptor.
3. Approval by the committee
for graduation.
I am aware of students who
have done studies in linguistics,
environmental ethics, and
textile manufacturing
(specifically weaving
technologies) in the past. This
is a rigorous degree and not for
the faint of heart. That said it
may be just the thing if you are
a motivated student with a
strong idea of what you would
like to study but cannot find in
the current Penn State system.
Pool Table from page 1
would offer an alternative and
“discourage drinking,
especially at the gates.”
Krueger says that housing
and food gives money to the
Residence Hall Council so they
can plan activities for students.
Krueger questions whether or
not a third pool table on
campus is necessary and if it
would even be used. She says,
“We want to build
community... but would rather
see that room used as a study
space.”
Current Student
Government Association Vice
President Nolan Fontaine is
lobbying for a pool table on
behalf of the student body. He
says, “The Senate for ’04-’05
school year tried to no avail ...
to get a Game/Community
Room last year in the Penn
Gate Complex. Since the Penn
Gates have a handicap suite
and not as much community
sociability as Mont Alto Hall,
we thought it would be
advantageous for them to have
the extra space. This could
build Mont Alto’s recruitment
and retention numbers for the
next year and as of now, Senate
’05-’06 is making the Penn
Gate Pool Room one of its
goals to accomplish for the
year.”
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