Master of Arts (MA) in Philosophy

The program information below was valid for the winter 2023 term (January 1, 2023 - April 30, 2023). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

• Admit term(s) 
  • Fall
• Delivery mode 
  • On-campus
• Program type 
  • Master's
  • Research
• Registration option(s) 
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
• Study option(s) 
  • Thesis
  • Coursework

• Minimum requirements 

  • The average required for admission to the Master of Arts (MA) in Philosophy program is 78%.

  • The typical background for MA students is a four-year Honours Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.

  • Applicants with a three-year general BA in Philosophy may also apply and may be accepted as “qualifying” students who will take a qualifying program that normally includes a minimum of eight specified undergraduate courses over a minimum of two terms. Completion of a qualifying program does not automatically entitle students to proceed towards the MA. Students who wish to enter the MA program after completing a qualifying program must apply again in the normal way.

  • Applicants with a 4-year Honours Bachelor’s in another field who have a philosophy minor or significant philosophy background are encouraged to apply. Applicants should keep in mind that reference letters from philosophy professors are strongly preferred. Depending on the amount of philosophy background, these applicants may be admitted either as regular students or as “transitional” students. A transitional student will normally be required to complete selected graduate or undergraduate courses, to be specified in writing at the time the student is recommended for admission, in addition to the usual requirements of the MA program. A transitional student is admitted directly into the MA program and is eligible for funding.

  • Applicants with a 4-year Honours Bachelor’s in another field who have only some philosophy background may also apply and may be accepted as “qualifying” students who will take a qualifying program that normally includes a minimum of eight specified undergraduate courses over a minimum of two terms. Completion of a qualifying program does not automatically entitle students to proceed towards the MA. Students who wish to enter the MA program after completing a qualifying program must apply again in the normal way.

• Application materials 
  • Supplementary information form
    • Statements answering the questions below (at most 250 words for each answer):
      • Question 1: Please provide a brief statement of interest that outlines the areas of philosophy you hope to pursue in the program.
      • Question 2: Please explain why the University of Waterloo’s Department of Philosophy is a good place to pursue such a project, and why your background makes you well suited to pursue it successfully.
  • Transcript(s)
    • From previous institutions.
    • At the time of applying, an unofficial transcript is fine; if and when a student is enrolled they will be asked to submit official copies.
  • Writing sample
    • A philosophy paper of around 2500 words is desirable; longer and shorter papers are acceptable too, but please don't send anything longer than 5,000 words.
• References 
  • Number of references:  3
  • Type of references: 

    academic

• English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Thesis option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Students must complete the following courses:
  • PHIL 680A/PHIL 680B Departmental Graduate Seminar.
  • 3 one-term graduate courses (0.50 unit weight per course), at least 1 of which is a PHIL 674 Graduate Courses.
  • 1 directed research course (PHIL 696 Directed Research for MA Candidates).
• The directed research course will normally be taken with the thesis supervisor, and will involve research leading to the production of the thesis. Students wishing to take this option should have decided on their topic by mid-year.
• Students must complete PHIL 680A/B and the 3 one-term courses required for the degree with a 78% average with at least one mark in the 80-100% range. The grade requirement for PHIL 696, the preparatory research course for the thesis, is a mark no lower than 78%.

Link(s) to courses

• Philosophy (PHIL) courses

Master’s Thesis

• The thesis must be accepted by a committee made up of the thesis supervisor and two other members of the department, to be selected in consultation with the Graduate Officer.

Coursework option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Students must complete the following courses:
  • PHIL 680A/PHIL 680B Departmental Graduate Seminar.
  • 3 one-term graduate courses (0.50 unit weight per course), at least 1 of which is a PHIL 674 Graduate Courses.
  • 3 directed research courses (PHIL 696 Directed Research for MA Candidates).
• The 3 directed research courses involve writing research papers under the supervision of three different members of the department. The choice of subjects is not restricted in advance, but must be agreed to by the student’s supervisor and by the Graduate Officer. Students with special interests may take 1 of these courses with a member of another department if they have received approval from the Graduate Officer.
• Students must complete 680A/B and the 3 one-term courses required for the degree with a 78% average with at least one mark in the 80-100% range. The grade requirement for the 3 PHIL 696 directed research courses in lieu of a thesis is no mark lower than 78% with at least 1 in the 80-100% range.

Link(s) to courses

• Philosophy (PHIL) courses