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College of Liberal Arts
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    Welcome to the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. As the largest and most multidisciplinary college at UTRGV, we offer 12 academic departments, 42 degree programs, and a wide range of courses essential for all students. With nearly 7,000 students and more than 300 faculty members, we provide a dynamic and comprehensive educational experience.

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    Explore the degrees within the College of Liberal Arts at UTRGV. Our college offers a diverse array of academic options for students, we hope you find your academic home with CLA

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      • Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program
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    Welcome to the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. As the largest and most multidisciplinary college at UTRGV, we offer 12 academic departments, over 50 undergraduate and graduate programs, and a wide range of courses essential for all students. With nearly 7,000 students and more than 300 faculty members, we provide a dynamic and comprehensive educational experience

    • Schools and Departments
      • Department of Anthropology
      • Department of Communication
      • Department of Criminal Justice
      • Department of History
      • Department of Literatures and Cultural Studies
      • Department of Military Science (ROTC)
      • Department of Philosophy
      • Department of Political Science
      • Department of Psychological Science
      • School of Interdisciplinary Programs & Community Engagement
      • Department of Sociology
      • Department of Spanish
      • Department of Writing & Language Studies
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    College of Liberal Arts at UTRGV Centers, Research and Labs

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    Explore comprehensive faculty resources in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) at UTRGV, including bylaws, faculty review guidelines, funding opportunities, syllabus templates, grant writing support, and career development. Engage with community projects like CHAPS and the Rio Grande Valley Civil War Trail while discovering the value of a liberal arts education.

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    Newsrooms articles highlighting College of Liberal Arts events, achievements and more regarding CLA faculty, students, programs, and more. You can also read LA Network- the CLA Newsletter here.

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Department of Philosophy

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Dr. Gregory Gilson
Professor, Chair of Philosophy
Department of Philosophy
ELABS 342
gregory.gilson@utrgv.edu
(956) 665-3562

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Mission

The Philosophy Department at UTRGV seeks to develop a philosophically engaged life in our students, our colleagues, the Rio Grande Valley, and the world. We aim to help students, faculty, and our various communities make better sense of the world and decide how to better live in it.

As professional teacher-scholars, our faculty provides the core of a liberal arts education by teaching students to read carefully, think critically, write clearly, reason systematically, and wrestle with some of the most difficult and important questions of human existence. Philosophy contributes to UTRGV’s core curriculum by offering courses that develop critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and social and personal responsibility. We do this by introducing students to the ethical, political, epistemic, and religious philosophies that have shaped history; by training students in logical, critical, and evaluative methods of reflection; and by applying these methods to discuss and practice personal growth, the betterment of their communities, and the transformation of the world. The Philosophy Department also provides an indispensable service to other programs and majors, including Biology, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Engineering, Mathematics, Social Work, Physics, Mexican American Studies, and Computer Science. Advanced courses in philosophy systematically and critically address questions about the human condition, aesthetics, ethics, society, politics, and the foundations of history, law, medicine, science, and mathematics.

Expected student learning outcomes include improved abilities to: critically evaluate basic assumptions, evaluate theories and worldviews, see the world from the perspectives of other individuals and cultures, construct philosophical arguments, analyze and solve problems, communicate complex thoughts clearly, and write effectively about timeless questions and current problems. By developing a clearer sense of their personal values and social responsibilities, students will also become better prepared to assume positions of leadership. In fact, completion of the BA program in Philosophy prepares students for any job or profession that requires critical thinking and responsible decision making, helping students to succeed in any venture, enterprise, field, or course of further study that they choose. Philosophy majors and double majors from UTRGV have gone on to enjoy successful careers in medicine, engineering, entrepreneurship, criminal justice, business, law, ministry, scientific research, art, publishing, sales, management, and public service. As a department located on the U.S.-Mexico border, we seek to promote more diversity within the profession of philosophy itself, where the underrepresentation of Latinos and Latinas is a serious problem.

Our department is pluralistic in terms of philosophical approach, with faculty representing Analytic, Continental, American, Latin American, Asian, and Feminist traditions. We have particular strengths in Latin American philosophy, the philosophy of science, and applied ethics.

Academic Programs

Bachelor's

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Bachelor's Degree

Philosophy (BA)

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy is designed to help students think more clearly, more perceptively, and more effectively. The program introduces students to the ethical, political, epistemic, and religious philosophies that have shaped history, provides training in logical, critical, and evaluative methods of reflection, and prepares students to apply these methods to discuss and practice personal growth, the betterment of their communities, and the transformation of the world.

The study of philosophy uniquely helps students to better understand and appreciate themselves and the world outside, and how the two are related.

Concentration: 

  • Pre-law 

Master's

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Master's Degree

Bioethics (MS)

Master of Science in Bioethics

Program Modality: Online

The Master’s degree in Bioethics prepares leaders in bioethics, social justice, and health equity to create opportunities and manage resources for ethical and complex challenges in social, political, and economic climates. The program prepares students to develop a theoretical framework for understanding bioethical issues, examine how bioethical issues impact health care decisions, and understand the unique challenges faced by vulnerable populations in achieving health equity.

Contact College of Liberal Arts


Brownsville

BMAIN 1.534 
956- 882-7818

Edinburg

ELABN 234
956-665-3551

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