在UCSB，有两个途径可以提高哲学学士学位。核心哲学专栏使学生接触到广泛的哲学问题和领域，并接触传统的主要哲学家。《道德与公共政策步伐》是为那些打算从事法律，政府和医学职业的学生而设计的，通常是针对那些对社区所面临的道德和法律问题以及各种职业的责任感兴趣的学生。
Philosophy deals with the kinds of questions that engage all reflective people, but which seemingly cannot be dealt with by any of the empirical sciences: Is everything material Is human behavior determined or is free choice possible Are there objective standards for deciding what is right and wrong, or is morality merely a subjective matter, a matter of individuals feelings Is there a moral obligation to obey the law Can we justify our claims to know anything Can we objectively distinguish rational from irrational beliefs How does language relate to the world<br><br>The study of philosophy encourages rigorous and disciplined habits of mind. Because the major in philosophy emphasizes and enhances analytical skills, it is useful for the large number of careers that require these skills or as general humanistic training at the undergraduate level. Two concentrations within the major accommodate differences in student needs and interests and reflect the two central concerns of philosophy. (1) The Core Philosophy concentration is designed for students who seek thorough training in philosophy, either as a way of acquiring reasoning and analytical skills and mastering a discipline at the undergraduate level or as preparation for graduate study. (2) The Ethics and Public Policy concentration focuses on moral and legal problems confronting the community and on the responsibilities of various professions. It is intended for a wide variety of students, including those who plan careers in law, the public sector, or medicine.