IX. Graduate Programs

Philosophy

MA Program

The Philosophy Department includes a wide range of expertise which allows students accepted into the MA program to both extend their philosophical background at the graduate level and to concentrate their research project in any of a number of different areas such as the history of philosophy, ethics, social and political philosophy, feminist philosophy, epistemology, philosophy of mind, metaphysics, philosophy of science. There is also a diversity of approaches within the department. There is faculty expertise in Analytic, Continental and other philosophical traditions and approaches. It is primarily a research degree and the program will involve either an MA thesis or the smaller Major Research Paper.

Admission Requirements

A four-year bachelor's degree from a recognized university. Normally this will include at least a major in philosophy, although the program is also open to students who may not have had a substantial number of philosophy undergraduate courses but who provide evidence of philosophical ability. In all cases, in order to be considered for admission to the MA program, the department requires that the average grade over the last 10.00 credits of studies (i.e., a normal two years of full-time studies on the University of Guelph system) be at least 75%. All applicants are required to submit a sample of writing. Further details can be found on the Philosophy Department website.

Degree Requirements

Students enrol in one of two study options: 1) course work and major research paper, or 2) thesis.

Regardless of the option chosen, the MA in Philosophy at Guelph is a research degree, in which the responsibility for study begins to shift from the faculty to the student. Students in both streams are expected to develop their own topic for research.

Course Work and Major Research Paper (MRP)
  • Total of 4 credits in graduate course work required.

  • 5 graduate courses (0.5 credits each) plus the mandatory MA Seminar (0.5 credits)

  • Major Research Paper (1.0 credit)

Thesis
  • Total of 2 credits in graduate course work required

  • At least 3 graduate courses (0.5 credits each) plus the mandatory MA Seminar (0.5 credits)

  • Completion and defence of a thesis

University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
519-824-4120