Global Philosophical Traditions Certificate

The Certificate in Global Philosophical Traditions enables SJSU undergraduate students with diverse backgrounds to gain intermediate knowledge of the methods in comparative philosophy as well as to engage deeply with at least two world philosophies and one western philosophical tradition which broadens the analytic perspective of the Anglo-American philosophical canon. In doing so, they simultaneously acquire skills in cultural understanding which are increasingly valued on the global job market.

The Philosophy Undergraduate Advisor serves as supervisor for the certificate program and will review student programs of study to ensure that students take at least one 3-unit course to fulfill the comparative philosophical thinking and continental philosophy and pragmatism degree requirements, and two 3-unit courses to fulfill the world philosophies degree requirement.

University Basic Certificate Requirements

Basic certificate programs provide opportunities for students to pursue specialized, often pre-professional, focused educational objectives that may be separate from a degree program. At least 6 units must be completed at SJSU. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in basic certificate coursework in order to be awarded a certificate. Generally, a maximum of 33% of basic certificate units (e.g., 3 units for a 9-unit certificate) can be completed in non-matriculated status at SJSU with approval from the department or school. In some cases, a basic certificate may be completed entirely through Open University if the student has completed a Bachelor’s degree and received approval from the department or school (University Policy S16-17 A). If a student has completed a Bachelor’s degree and received approval from the department or school, a basic certificate may be completed entirely through Open University.

The advisor/director of the program is responsible for verifying a student’s satisfactory completion of the academic requirements established for the program and for forwarding a copy of the certificate completion form to the Office of the Registrar. The Office of the Registrar records the completion of the program on the student’s transcript.

To receive the Certificate in Global Philosophical Traditions, students must complete the following twelve units of required coursework:

Certificate Requirements (12 units)

Comparative Philosophical Thinking (3 units)

PHIL 120 - Comparative Philosophy Theory & Practice 3 unit(s)

World Philosophies (6 units)

Complete two courses from:

PHIL 104 - Asian Philosophy 3 unit(s)
PHIL 118 - Latin American Philosophy 3 unit(s)
PHIL 119 - Africana Philosophy and Culture 3 unit(s)

Continental Philosophies & Pragmatism (3 units)

Complete one course from:

PHIL 112 - American Philosophy 3 unit(s)
PHIL 113 - Existentialism and Phenomenology 3 unit(s)
PHIL 121 - Philosophy and Feminism 3 unit(s)

Total Units Required (12 units)

All of SJSU’s matriculated student population will be eligible for this certificate. Students who are interested in completing, are currently completing or have completed the requirements for the certificate will meet with the Undergraduate Advisor to verify their satisfactory completion. The Undergraduate Advisor will also help students complete the SJSU’s Basic Undergraduate Certificate Form, and will forward a copy of it to the Office of the Registrar.