Why study this program?
The Department offers programs leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
The fields in which advanced study may be pursued include ethics; social and political philosophy; aesthetics; feminist philosophy; logic; decision theory; philosophy of science, including biology, and cognitive science; epistemology; philosophy of language; philosophy of mind; metaphysics; ancient philosophy; modern philosophy from the 17th to the 20th century; and contemporary European and Anglo-American philosophy. Inquiries concerning possible subjects for research should be directed to the Graduate Coordinator.
Entrance Requirements
The Department’s minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.3 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.
Where applicable, applicants must meet the minimum English Language Requirement .
Applicants must also provide the following:
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- 3 letters of reference
- Statement of interest which describes the research questions and issues that interest the applicant (and why), and explains why the applicant would like to pursue a philosophy degree at the University of Alberta.
- Writing sample - should be a piece of academic work, preferably in philosophy, and should not be more than 30 pages.
Students with very little background in philosophy may be required to enroll as a qualifying student or as a non-degree program graduate student , before being considered eligible for admission to a graduate degree program.
The application deadline is January 15 for Fall admission.
The MA in Philosophy can be completed as a thesis-based degree or as a course-based degree.
Course-based MA
Students are required to complete a minimum of 24 units in coursework, including a 3-unit capstone project.
Coursework
- Six 3-unit graduate-level courses taken in the first two semesters of study
- One 3-unit graduate-level Directed Reading course which may be taken in the Fall, Winter or Spring semester
- Required coursework depends on the area of specialization and the undergraduate background of the student.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the MA will vary with the degree-track selected and the preparation of the candidate for graduate course work.
Many candidates for the thesis-based MA take 20 months to complete the requirements for the degree.
The maximum time to complete the thesis-based MA program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is four years.
Course-based MA degree candidates will require at least 10 months to complete the requirements for the degree, and many will need a full year.
The maximum time to complete the course-based MA program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is six years.
Courses
Graduate courses can be found in Course Listings , under the subject heading Philosophy (PHIL).
Graduate students in the Department are eligible to compete for the general graduate awards listed at www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca and are encouraged to do so. Graduate assistantships are available within the Department; inquiries should be addressed to the Graduate Coordinator.
For general information, please visit the Tuition and Fees page on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research site.The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research administers over $29 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for graduate students, as well as financial and loan advising. Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.
Please refer to the detailed program information or email deptphil@ualberta.ca.
General inquiriesPlease check out some of our most frequently asked questions (FAQS) to see if your question has been answered, or contact the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) during our office hours.
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR)
Killam Centre for Advanced Studies
2-29 Triffo Hall
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E1