Philosophy

Calgary's philosophy department is a vibrant philosophical community. In addition to graduate seminars, our students benefit from an activevisiting scholars series and regular research group meetings. Our thriving graduate philosophy society hosts regular graduate colloquia and organizes an annual graduate student conference. We have a strong placement record for both MA and PhD recipients.

All full-time students have office space in the department and access to computer facilities. The Department is an active and welcoming philosophical community and encourages diversity. An attractive departmental layout, with offices around a central lounge area, enhances the department's open character. 

• Moral and Reason Internalism 
• Explanation 
• Philosophical Topics in the Sciences: Issues in the Historical Sciences
• Philosophy and Neuroscience 
• Biotechnology and the Law: Legal, Ethical and Metaphysical Issues in Emerging Biotechnology
• Graduate Proseminar
• Aquinas 
• Naturalistic Metaphysics
• The Problem of Evil in Early Modern Philosophy 
• Fundamentality and the Laws of Nature
• Reasons, Rationality, and Morality 
• Distributive Justice 
• Philosophy of Language: Counting
• Graduate Proseminar 
• Feminist Philosophy in Medieval Paris 
• Free Will and Semi-Compatibilism
• Epistemology of Scientific Practice
• Hume on Religion 
• Topics in Metaphysics: Identity and Time
• Reasons, Rationality & Morality
• The Norms of Assertion
• Topics in Philosophy of Science: Reductionism
• Application of Logic in Philosophy
• Graduate Proseminar 

Requirements

• Students applying for admission to the MA with Thesis program normally hold an undergraduate baccalaureate degree in philosophy; however, applications are considered from students with less exposure to philosophy but a strong record in a related academic field. Generally, the Department admits students with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on the University of Calgary's 4.0 scale.
• An online application for admission.
• A non-refundable application fee for each application to a graduate degree program. The application fee is CDN $125 for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and CDN $145 for international students who will be attending on a Study Permit. Cheques or money orders must be made payable to the University of Calgary. Applications will be processed only if the fee has been paid.
• Two official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, signed and sealed from the issuing institution. The Department can print University of Calgary transcripts from the InfoNet.
• Three appropriate letters of reference (uploaded into the online application).
• Official TOEFL scores for international applicants. TOEFL score of 86 with no section less than 20 (Internet-based) or 560 (paper-based). Our institution code is 0813.
• A sample of written work. Limit your paper to a maximum of fifteen double spaced typed pages including notes and bibliography (uploaded into the online application).
• An online Graduate Award Competition application for PhD and MA applicants.
• MA applicants not submitting a Graduate Award application must submit a scholarship package to the Department which includes: a letter of intent requesting consideration for scholarship, two letters of reference (students applying for admission can designate two of their three letters to be considered for use in the fellowship application); a 1-page research proposal; a bibliography; and, if applicable, a letter outlining any special circumstances to be considered in your scholarship application.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Scholarships 

• Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GATs): Teaching and instruc­tional service to an instructor in an under­graduate course. Stipends in 2015-16 amount to $8,633.47 per term (four months), funded and awarded by the Department of Philosophy. No more than an average of 12 hours per week of service (including preparation) may be required of teaching assistants.
• Faculty of Graduate Studies Research Scholarships (FGSs): Awarded for research tasks directly related to the student's own research. Stipends range from $1000 to $10,000 per term (four months), funded by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and awarded by the Department of Philosophy. No teaching or service duties are required of research assistants.