Program Description
The undergraduate certificate program in the history and philosophy of science is designed to give students an understanding of the traditional philosophical issues surrounding science and the historical development of concrete scientific theories and ideas.
Philosophical questions about how nature is understood through science and how scientific claims gain authority are enriched when they are considered in a historical context. Such philosophical and historical study also often includes the examination of contemporary sciences and their place within the larger society, including the study of bioethics, policy and law.
This certificate is a valuable addition for students in the sciences or humanities. It crosses disciplines to help students engage in unfamiliar and familiar paths of inquiry in new and interesting ways.
The program is offered by the School of Life Sciences.
Program Requirements
The certificate requires 18 credit hours from the HPS and PHI subjects. At least 12 credit hours must be completed at the upper-division level and all courses counting toward the certificate must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or higher.
Required Course -- 3 credit hours
Electives (choose five) -- 15 credit hours
At least nine credit hours must be taken in upper-division HPS courses. Any upper-division HPS course may be used toward the certificate.
Other elective options may be applied with the approval of an academic advisor in the School of Life Sciences.
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
Enrollment Requirements
Requests to declare this certificate are reviewed by the academic advisor in the academic unit offering the certificate. Students may be contacted to discuss the certificate prior to the addition of the certificate to the student record.
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Career Outlook
Graduates who have combined the certificate in the history and philosophy of science with their major program of study may become more marketable to employers. They often decide to pursue employment in biology, medicine, law or ethics.
Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic, governmental or clinical positions.
Example Careers
Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
Archivists
- Growth: 8.2%
- Median Salary*: 58640
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
- Growth: 3.9%
- Median Salary*: 80910
Historians
- Growth: 3.1%
- Median Salary*: 64540
History Teachers, Postsecondary
- Growth: 1.3%
- Median Salary*: 79400
Lawyers
- Growth: 7.5%
- Median Salary*: 135740
Museum Technicians and Conservators
- Growth: 9.9%
- Median Salary*: 47270
News Analysts, Reporters and Journalists
- Growth: -3.3%
- Median Salary*: 55960
Political Scientists
- Growth: 6.6%
- Median Salary*: 128020
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
- Growth: 2.7%
- Median Salary*: 78780
Sociologists
- Growth: 4.5%
- Median Salary*: 98590
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly.
For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor’s degree in 2.5 or 3 years.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master’s degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.
Accelerated bachelor’s degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
To add a minor, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
To add a certificate, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
