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Location: Social Sciences Building, Room 1248
Program number: 403.220.5533
Fax: 403.289.5698
Email address: philgrad@ucalgary.ca
Web page URL:

The course-based Master of Arts degree may be completed on a full-time or a part-time basis.

Specializations*:

• History and Philosophy of Science (MA only)
• Philosophy of Religion (MA only)

*These two specializations are offered in cooperation with the Departments of History and Religious Studies respectively. Selecting a specialization is not mandatory.

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Department requires:

a) Applicants hold a four-year undergraduate degree with honours or a major in philosophy; however, applicants with a degree in a related academic field will be considered.

b) Three letters of reference, and a sample of written work, such as a recent essay, written in English. Applications will not be considered without a sample of written work.

c) A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher on a four-point scale over the last 60 units (10 full-course equivalents) and/or the last two years of study in their degree.

d) For applicants required to prove proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (written test), 100 (Internet-based test), a MELAB score of 84 or an IELTS score of 7.0 must be submitted.

The deadline for submitting complete applications is January 15 for September admission.

Candidates applying for financial assistance should ensure that all documents relevant to their scholarship application reach the Department by January 15. The Department makes its first round of decisions for financial support by the end of March. Although most applications are for September admission, January admission is also possible.

The Department does not normally give advanced credit for courses taken previously. However, in special circumstances, a request for advanced credit may be considered if it is made as part of the admission process. Credit will not be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to raise the grade point average to a level required for admission. Normally, advanced credit may be given for a maximum of 9 units (1.5 full-course equivalents).

Note: Normally, in both master's and doctoral programs, no more than 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) of Directed Reading can be taken to satisfy the minimum course requirement.

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Department requires:

Master of Arts (thesis-based)

a) A minimum of 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents). Philosophy 603 is a required course and is normally taken the first year in program.

b) In the specializations History and Philosophy of Science or Philosophy of Religion, courses taken in History or Religious Studies, may, with departmental approval, count as fulfilling course requirements for the degree.

Master of Arts (thesis-based) with Specialization in the History and Philosophy of Science

a) Six units (1.0 full-course equivalent) (two terms) in the philosophy of science.

b) Six units (1.0 full-course equivalent) (two terms) in the history of science.

c) Six units (1.0 full-course equivalent) (two terms) in the history and philosophy of science.

d) Proficiency in a second language or logic, depending on the department of enrolment.

Master of Arts (course-based)

a) A minimum of 30 units (5.0 full-course equivalents), including at least 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) in the History of Philosophy and 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) in 20th Century or Contemporary Philosophy. Philosophy 603 is a required course and is normally taken the first year in program.

b) Students to remedy background deficiencies, if any, in a certain area or areas of philosophy by taking course work below the 500-level.

c) Students must complete at least 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) in each annual registration period.

Doctor of Philosophy

a) Normally, a minimum of 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) for students with a Master of Arts degree.

b) Normally, a minimum of 36 units (6.0 full-course equivalents) for students entering directly from an honours undergraduate program.

c) Students to show competence in logic, which may be done by achieving a grade of "B" or better in Philosophy 379.

d) Philosophy 603 is a required course and is normally taken the first year in program.

None.

Normally, undergraduate courses will not be credited towards completion of course requirements in a graduate program. Philosophy 379 may be taken to show proficiency in logic and is considered over and above the required number of graduate courses for completion of a degree.

Expected completion time for full-time students is two years in a master’s thesis program, three years in a master’s course-based program, and four years in a doctoral program. Maximum completion time is four years for a master’s thesis program, and six years for a master’s course-based or doctoral program.

Students are assigned an interim advisor until they have an opportunity to become acquainted with members of the faculty. Each student must have an assignedĚýsupervisor by the end of the second regular academic session after first registration (April for September registrants and December for January registrants). The choice of supervisor must be by mutual arrangement between the student and faculty member concerned, and approved by the Department.

A supervisory committee at the master’s level is not normally appointed. When such a committee is deemed necessary, the Dean’s approval must be obtained.

A doctoral student shall be under the general supervision of a supervisory committee. After consultation with the student, the supervisor will submit a list of possible members of the supervisory committee to the Graduate Studies Committee for approval. The supervisory committee should be established as soon as possible and no later than three months after the supervisor’s appointment.

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations for candidacy and thesis examinations, the program requires:

Doctor of Philosophy

Departmental Preliminary Examinations

Students will be required to show competence in three of the following four areas:

Area I – metaphysics and epistemology
Area II – history of philosophy
Area III – philosophy of language and logic
Area IV – moral and political philosophy

The student chooses three areas. Competence in an area is shown by submitting a satisfactory essay or passing an examination. At least one area must be passed by either a sit-down or take-home examination. Exams are administered, and essays accepted, four times yearly. All three areas must be passed within 20 months of registration and, the student is not allowed to take an exam in a particular major area more than three times. Students who have not passed three areas within 20 months of registration will not normally receive further Departmental support.

Oral Candidacy Examination

After completion of required course work and preliminary examinations, the doctoral student must pass an oral candidacy examination prior to beginning the doctoral thesis. The candidacy exam has both a written and oral component. The student’s research proposal (approximately 20 pages) must be submitted to all members of the candidacy examining committee for review at least two weeks prior to the oral examination. TheĚýthesis proposal will serve as the basis of discussion at the examination. The purpose of the examination is to ascertain whether the student’s academic preparation and ability is adequate to pursue profitable research on the issues proposed. Questions on the research proposal will be included in the oral candidacy examination.

Thesis Examination (Master of Arts (thesis-based) and Doctor of Philosophy)
Ěý
Scheduling of the Examination

All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s research, including a relevant written sample of the materials related to the thesis, before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee

The Internal Examiner may be internal to the home program.

Master of Arts (course-based)

The course-based Master of Arts has a research component. This component is to be satisfied by passing both theĚýwritten and oral partsĚýof the Final Master's Examination.

A Final Master’s Examination of overall competency is required after completion of all course work, consisting of written and oral components. The examination policy is available in the Philosophy Graduate Handbook at .

The research proposal only applies to doctoral students and is to be submitted to the examining committee a minimum of two weeks prior to the scheduled candidacy oral exam.

Incoming students determine course work in consultation with the Graduate Director.

Most thesis students admitted to the program receive some level of financial support from the Department. Suitably qualified master’s students may be given a guarantee of financial support from September of their first year to the end of April of their second year. All doctoral students receive a guarantee of financial support for the four years of their program.

For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar.

Students applying for scholarships must submit their applications to the Department by January 15.

Satisfactory academic progress in the student’s program is required for funding.

Satisfactory Academic Progress:

Thesis-based and Full-time Course-based MA Students

a) Must complete at least 15 units (2.5 full-course equivalents) in their first two terms, and maintain a GPA of at least 3.60 in all courses taken. This GPA is computed at the end of the first week of June each year. In any case no more than one grade of "B-" or lower is acceptable during the course of their program.

b) Are expected to complete their degree by May of their second year in the program. (Equivalent requirements apply to students who register at times other than September.)

Doctoral Students

a) Must complete at least 15 units (2.5 full-course equivalents) in their first two terms, and maintain a GPA of at least 3.60. This GPA is computed at the end of the first week of June each year. In any case no more than one grade of "B-" or lower is acceptable during the course of their program.

b) Must pass all Departmental PhD Preliminary Examinations within 20 months of first registration (for those without an MA, the period will be determined by the Graduate Studies Committee).

c) Must take the Candidacy Examination within eight months of the completion of the Preliminary Examinations and pass this examination no later than twenty-eight months after the date of the student’s first registration in the program (for those without an MA, thirty-six months after first registration in graduate studies in philosophy).

None.

The faculty’s main interests and specialties can be found at: .