Faculty
Learn about faculty in the Department of Philosophy. Contact the program for more information.
Program overview
Students accepted into the competitive Master of Arts program will join one of Canada's most respected philosophy departments, with a strong placement record for both MA and PhD recipients.
Students may choose to deepen their understanding of the history and philosophy of science through a specialization offered in collaboration with the History department; a second specialization in philosophy of religion provides advanced inquiry into the connections between philosophical and religious thought.
Students will engage with an active philosophical community that hosts a visiting speaker series and convenes regular research group meetings. All full-time students have office space in the department and access to computer facilities.
Completing this program
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Core Course: Graduate Proseminar, usually taken in the first year.
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Thesis: Students are required to submit and defend an original thesis.
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Additional Courses: Topics may include philosophy of science, metaphysics, ethics, philosophy of language, epistemology, logic, philosophy of mind and more.
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Professional skills: Students take the required Research and Professional Development seminar in their second year.
Specializations
- History and Philosophy of Science
- Philosophy of Religion
For students in these specializations courses taken in History or Religious Studies, respectively, may, with departmental approval, count as fulfilling course requirements for the degree.
Outcomes
Academia, law, public policy, research analysis, consulting, publishing.
A master’s degree in philosophy will give you the pre-requisite for a PhD.
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Admission Requirements
GPA
A minimum of 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.
Minimum education
A four-year undergraduate degree with honours or a major in philosophy. Applicants with a degree in a related academic field will be considered.
Work samples
A sample of written work, such as a recent essay, written in English.
The sample should be 10-15 pages including bibliography, prepared for anonymous review.
Documents
None
Reference letters
Three
Test scores
None
English language proficiency
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) score of 97.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0.
- Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 (no less than 70 in each section).
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 68, or higher (Academic version).
- Duolingo English Test and obtaining a minimum score of 135* (with no sub-score below 115*).
- Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency minimum score of 191.
- Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of A- in writing and oral communication courses/B+ in other courses.
Deadlines
For Admission September 1:
January 6
Canadians and permanent residents are strongly urged to apply for SSHRC scholarships in the Fall prior to application.
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements
Learn more about this program
Related programs
If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.