The world needs flexible thinkers who confront complex situations and help resolve problems in positive ways that are neither narrowly political nor purely profit-driven. Drexel University’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics program starts from the idea that the economy is fundamentally political, politics is fundamentally economic, and both are shaped by philosophical inquiry.

Drexel’s BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree exemplifies the university’s commitment to a comprehensive education at the intersection of thought and practice. Offered jointly by the School of Economics, the Department of Politics, and the Department of English and Philosophy, this major provides an interdisciplinary engagement with the complex and connected challenges of contemporary life. Each discipline enhances the others through complementary and critical perspectives that foster deeper understanding of social and political institutions and processes. Students develop superior reasoning, clear communication, and practical analytical skills among others.

Drexel’s Philosophy, Politics and Economics program emphasizes experiential learning that positions undergraduates at the forefront of a wide range of potential vocations and careers including governmental, legal, and business settings. Student organizations such as the Drexel Philosophy Club, and the Drexel Undergraduate Mock Trial Association allow students to sharpen their organizational and dialogical skills while building peer networks. Through the renowned Drexel Co-op program, Philosophy, Politics, and Economics majors can explore meaningful careers across diverse sectors such as government, law, public policy, business, science, journalism, arts administration, activism, advocacy, and other fields.

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Program Overview

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics is an interdisciplinary program that combines insights and skills from both economics and political science, aiming to foster a deep understanding of organized life in society. Students in this program are curious about how the world operates and seek to improve it. Philosophy, Politics, and Economics majors develop analytical, dialogical, critical, and communication skills that empower them to make a meaningful difference.

These skills position students for success on graduate, law, business, and medical school entrance examinations such as the GRE and LSAT. Because the program covers legal and political subjects such as public policy, government, civil rights, and corporate responsibility, it is ideally suited for pre-law students or those interested in government and public and private administration careers.

Historically, the fields of political science and economics emerged from the concept of “political economy,” which involved applying philosophical reflection and criticism to issues in markets and politics. This approach examined how societies determined which goods to produce, the conditions of production, and how these goods would be distributed and enjoyed. The Philosophy, Politics, and Economics degree today recognizes the valuable insights lost when politics and economics are separated. The program promotes the idea that re-engaging these disciplines will inspire and empower students to create a lasting impact on the world.

Real-World Impact

In our program, students cultivate the skills and mindsets necessary for meaningful and impactful careers. These careers include all areas of government and public administration, urban planning, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, business management, public policy analysis and development, journalism, public relations, activism, advocacy, political campaign organization and consultancy, market research, academic research, higher education, educational administration, and more.

Drexel’s Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree helps students forge a powerful entry point for career sectors or advanced study that engages with the complexities of life across diverse cultures and communities. By promoting interdisciplinary approaches, our majors find inspiration to think independently and creatively, rather than merely following established norms within a single discipline. Since the world does not separate economic processes from political ones, understanding and influencing the world requires recognizing how these processes are interconnected., non-profit and non-governmental organizations, business management, public policy analysis and development, journalism, public relations, activism, advocacy, political campaign organization and consultancy, market research, academic research, higher education, educational administration, and more.

Integrated Knowledge

With an emphasis on experiential and interdisciplinary learning, majors in the program develop a clear understanding of the “Philosophy, Politics, and Economics perspective.” More importantly, they learn to apply this integrated knowledge to address global, national, and local issues such as poverty, inequality, media freedom, war, patriarchy, racism, and human rights.

Our collaborative curriculum leverages the expertise of scholars from all three fields, who craft courses that provide the best learning experience for students. Students begin with the gateway course PPE101, which introduces the interdisciplinary major in two ways: it examines ways of thinking, speaking and researching in each of the three component disciplines, and it applies these overlapping approaches to a set of complex real-world problems.

Majors are encouraged to pursue minor areas of study that align with their unique interests and career aspirations. In the interactive seminar capstone course, students collaborate with a faculty mentor as they evaluate public policy proposals, research, or theoretical perspectives using tools, arguments, and methods that integrate knowledge from across the three disciplines. In the interactive seminar capstone course, students collaborate with a faculty mentor as they evaluate public policy proposals, research, or theoretical perspectives using tools, arguments, and methods that integrate knowledge from across the three disciplines.

The courses and electives that make up the program support a multi-disciplinary focus:

Philosophy Courses

Philosophy courses focus on establishing a powerful set of logical reasoning, writing and dialogical skills oriented toward questions in ethics, logic, philosophy of law, and social and political philosophy. Students take two upper-level philosophy seminars and may take more as electives. Recent seminars include Objectivity in Science, Rawls and Political Liberalism, The Dialogues of Plato, Marx’s Philosophy, and Theories of Sustainability.

Politics Courses

Politics courses constitute a solid foundation in political science, covering topics across comparative politics, history of political thought, qualitative or quantitative research methods, theories of justice, American foreign policy, social protest movements, and more.

Economics Courses

Economics courses offer students profound analysis and insight. Majors explore topics such as microeconomics, macroeconomics, economic ideas, and public finance. In addition, they are encouraged to enhance their program of study with electives like Game Theory and Applications, Economics of Small Business, Labor Economics, Comparative Economic Systems, Resource and Environmental Economics, and more.

Elective Courses

Based on their unique interests, our Philosophy, Politics, and Economics majors often take elective courses from a wide range of disciplines such as Race, Ethnicity and Social Inequality, Wealth and Power, Gender and Society, Development and Underdevelopment in the Global South, and Environmental Justice – to name a few.

Experiential Learning

Drexel University and the College of Arts and Sciences offer many opportunities for motivated undergraduates to engage in research, scholarship, and creative experiences beginning as early as their first year. Philosophy, Politics, and Economics students can apply to the STAR (Students Tackling Advanced Research) Scholars program offered by the Pennoni Honors College. STAR offers students a stipend and matches them with faculty mentors across disciplines to work on a student-designed, student-driven research project during their first summer on campus. The College of Arts and Sciences' DrexLab program promotes hands-on involvement in research and scholarly activities for any undergraduate student enrolled in a College of Arts and Sciences major or minor.

After the first year, Drexel's Office of Undergraduate Research and Enrichment Programs provides students with guidance and support in finding and gaining access to research experiences throughout their academic journey. These include attending and presenting at conferences, writing papers and submitting them to journals for publication, and identifying opportunities to apply for national and international fellowships.

Drexel Co-op

Through the renowned Drexel Co-op program, Philosophy, Politics, and Economics students can fully explore potential career paths, strengthen their résumés, and build a professional network in the process. Philosophy, Politics, and Economics majors have access to a wide range of co-op positions, such as those related to public service, government, international and domestic business, law, community organizing, education, publishing, journalism, academic research and more.

Careers

Drexel’s BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics majors are prepared for in-demand careers and advanced degrees that require thoughtful analysis and creative fusion across disciplines. Our graduates go on to meaningful and successful careers in areas such as: