The Power of Philosophy

group of young people sitting at table reading a book

Philosophy majors...

> are top performers on the GRE, LSAT, GMAT & MCAT
> have higher starting salaries & lifetime earnings than any other humanities major
> are attorneys, activists, marketers, journalists, policy analysts, educators, psychologists & more

LSAT Results

(scores range from 120–180)

Economics         158.8
Philosophy        158.0
Engineering        157.1
History                156.0
Anthropology     156.0
English                154.3
Biology                153.8
Political Science 153.3

Ralph-Montas Osias

Ralph-Montas Osias '27

Major: Political science & philosophy
Programs: Macaulay Honors, United Nations Student Association
Internships: Bronx County Supreme Court, NYS Unified Court System
Fellowship: Watson Fellow
Career goal: Appellate judge

Theresa Kaus, faces the camera, smiling with her arms crossed.

Theresa Kaus '26

Major: B.A. in Humanities and Justice
Minors: Criminology and Philosophy 
Programs: Pre-Law Institute, Law Society Club, Model United Nations, Criminology Club, Leading Wxmen of Tomorrow, 
Internships: Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, U.S. Congressional Office, Senator Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senate Office, Bronx County Supreme Court, Judicial Intern for the Honorable Wilma Guzman ’78
Fellowship: New York State Democratic Party Fellow
Career goal: International Lawyer and Professor
Post-John Jay plans: Study in Germany with Fulbright Grant


 

 

Portrait of Mya Levis

Mya Levis '26

Student, Georgetown Law School FA '26

Major: Philosophy
Internships: NYS Attorney General, Bronx County District Attorney, NYPD
Honors: Dean's List, Research & Creativity Scholar
Certification: IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Career goal: Attorney
 

John Jay College Campus

Non-STEM Majors

Philosophy                    $84,000
Business/Economics    $82,000
Marketing                      $83,000
International Studies   $81,000
Political Science            $78,000
English                           $73,000
History                           $72,000
Communications          $71,000

Parsva Shah, class of 2024, smiling and wearing a graduation robe

Parsva Shah ’24

Student, Tulane School of Law
Majors: Philosophy, law & society
Mentors: Dr. Jodie Roure & Bettina Muenster
Programs: Rising Scholars of Justice Program, Pre-Law Pipeline Program
Internships: NYC Department of Health, Kings County Supreme Court
Honors: Magna cum laude, United Negro College Fund Social Justice Award
Career goal: Attorney

Portrait of  Randa Elsayed, ’24

Randa Elsayed ’24

Founder & Executive Director, Unframed Arts Collective
Major: Philosophy
Mentor: Dr. Catherine Kemp
Program: Macaulay Honors College
Internship: Andy Warhol Foundation
Fellowship: Moelis Social Innovation Fellow
Honors: Kenan Scholar, Dean’s List
Career goal: Civil rights attorney

Jehovahnie Saint Rose ‘22 in a pink suit

Jehovanie Saint Rose '22

2L, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Major: Philosophy
Mentors: Dr. Charles Davidson & Lynne Ross
Programs: Pre-Law Institute, Honors
Internships: Pfizer, Justice Jonah Triebwasser ’72
Fellowship: Vera Fellows Program
Honors: Outstanding Capstone Prize, Excellence in Research Award
Career goal: Healthcare attorney

A bright, sunlit photo of the Jay Walk rooftop terrace at John Jay College, featuring a wooden deck, tables, and trees, with the New York City skyline in the background.

Learn more

Michael Brownstein, Professor & Department Chair, mibrownstein@jjay.cuny.edu

Amie Macdonald, Professor & Major/Minor Advisor, amacdonald@jjay.cuny.edu