Philosophy was one of the earliest academic programs being offered since the University was founded in 1611. Bachelor, Licentiate and Doctorate degrees in Philosophy, by that time, were given only to those who are entering for priesthood, through the Faculty of Philosophy. The study was finally opened to the laity, through the establishment of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters on 1896, 285 years after the University’s foundation.

Presently, the Royal, Pontifical and Catholic University of Santo Tomas offers different degrees in Philosophy through three Faculties: Bachelor (Ph.B.), Licentiate (Ph.L.) and Doctorate (Ph.D.) degrees for young men who are pursuing ecclesiastical career in the Faculty of Philosophy, which is part of the University’s Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies (with Sacred Theology and Canon Law); Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) major in Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Letters; and postgraduate degrees: Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctorate (Ph.D.) at the Graduate School. All of these Faculties give well-rounded academic formation through the Thomasian philosophy curricula that deal with the field both systematically and historically. Branches of philosophy (epistemology, metaphysics, cosmology, aesthetics, logic, ethics, theodicy) are primarily taught under the Aristotelian-Thomistic inspiration. Focus is also given in the teaching of different philosophies in the East and West, and of different ages: from the Classical, Medieval, Modern up to the Postmodern period.

All of these Faculties are Centers of Excellence in Philosophy, as declared by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on AD 2000.