Online Degrees & Certificates
AA Transfer Philosophy
Program Description
Philosophy is one of the oldest academic subjects in the world and its concerns have given rise to nearly all other specialized academic disciplines. The primary motivation of philosophy is the desire for knowledge and understanding. Philosophy is an attempt to understand the nature of our reality, our attempts at knowledge, our quest for good and meaningful lives, and, most ambitiously, our construction of a society that might make these lives possible. Logic and critical thinking courses will explore the methodology of philosophic discourse and academic discourse in general. The student will explore the epistemological, metaphysical, ethical, and political dimensions of philosophy, the history of philosophy from its beginnings in the ancient world through contemporary philosophy, and the philosophic concerns manifested in the world's religions. Throughout these studies, attention will be given to diverse cultural perspectives.
Students who complete the Associate in Arts in Philosophy for Transfer degree will be ensured preferential transfer status to CSUs for Philosophy majors and/or majors in related disciplines. The Associate in Arts in Philosophy for Transfer degree will fulfill the lower division major requirements at many CSUs. Students are advised, however, to meet with a counselor to assess the course requirements for specific local CSUs and to validate which CSUs are considered local.
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.
Units Required
Major: 29-36
Associate Degree Requirements
Associate in Arts in Philosophy for Transfer requires completion of a minimum of 90 units, including:
Core and support courses for the major (29-36 units)*
Summer Session 2025 only–CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth) or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)** (49-58 units) (full certification is required)
Beginning Fall Quarter 2025–California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)*** (45 units) (full certification is required)
Transferable electives necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement
*Some units from the core and support courses may be used to satisfy the GE requirement. Please see a counselor for more information.
**Summer Session 2025 is the final term during which CSU GE Breadth and IGETC may be used. Please see a counselor for more information. Important Note: Although it is possible to fulfill the requirements for the Associate Degree for Transfer by completing the IGETC for UC pattern, admission to CSU requires completion of an Oral Communication course (IGETC Area 1C; CSU GE Area A-1); therefore, students who plan to transfer to CSU should complete this course as part of their GE or elective units.
***Cal-GETC begins in Fall Quarter 2025. Please see a counselor for more information.
NOTE: All courses pertaining to the major must be completed with a grade of "C" (or "P") or better. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Online Courses for Philosophy AAT
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.
Core and Support Courses
Core Courses
| ONLINE COURSE | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 7 | Introduction to Symbolic Logic | 5 |
| PHIL 4 | Introduction to Philosophy | 4 |
| or PHIL 8 | Ethics | 5 |
Support Courses
| ONLINE COURSE | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| List A: Complete TWO courses from List A Any course not used from the Core Courses, or any of the following: |
8-9 | |
| PHIL 4 * | Introduction to Philosophy | 4 |
| PHIL 8 * | Ethics | 5 |
| PHIL 20A | History of Western Philosophy from Socrates through St. Thomas | 4 |
| PHIL 20B | History of Western Philosophy from the Renaissance through Kant | 4 |
| List B: And complete two items from List B: Any course not used in List A |
8-13 | |
| ETHN 1 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 4 |
| HIST 4A | History of Western Civilization to 800 CE | 4 |
| and ** HIST 4B | History of Western Civilization: 700-1800 | 4 |
| HIST 4B | History of Western Civilization: 700-1800 | 4 |
| and ** HIST 4C | History of Western Civilization 1789-Present | 4 |
| PHIL 1 | Critical Thinking & Writing | 5 |
| PHIL 2 | Introduction to Social & Political Philosophy | 4 |
| POLI 1 renumbering to POLS C1000 effective Fall 2025 | American Government and Politics | 5 |
| List C: And complete one course from List C: Any course not used in List A or List B |
4-5 | |
| ENGL 16 | Introduction to Literature | 4 |
| ENGL 22 | Women Writers | 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 |
| HUMN 3 | World Myths in Literature Arts & Film | 4 |
| or HUMN 3H | Honors Myths in Literature Arts & Film | 4 |
| PHIL 24 | Comparative World Religions: East | 4 |
| PHIL 25 | Comparative World Religions: West | 4 |
| Total Units |
29-36 | |
* If not used to fulfill the core requirement.
** Both courses must be completed to fulfill the requirement.
Note that this is a list of fully online courses that satisfy degree requirements.
For a list of on-campus courses that satisfy degree requirements, please visit Associate Degree for Transfer-Philosophy 2025-2026.
Based on the 2025 - 2026 degree program.