Philosophy - Master of Arts (MA)

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Learn to think logically and abstractly about complex problems while honing your research and communication skills with the Master of Arts in Philosophy program.

You’ll take seminar courses and then write a thesis or three supervised independent research papers depending on if you choose the thesis or coursework study option.  

Study with faculty members who are doing cutting edge research and actively engage with research from other fields such as the natural and social sciences, history, mathematics, and engineering for an interdisciplinary and practical-oriented approach.  

You’ll be prepared to pursue further research at the PhD level or to pursue non-academic careers in healthcare, government, law, corporate sectors, and others with roles like bioethicist, policy advisor, and ethics officer.

Research field and degree options

  •   Ethics and Political Philosophy
  •    Language, Logic and Metaphysics
  •    Mind and Cognitive Science
  •    Philosophy of Science and Mathematics

Program overview

Department/School: Philosophy
Faculty: Faculty of Arts
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December)
Delivery mode: On-campus
Program type: Master's, Research
Length of program: 12 months (full-time)*
Registration option(s): Full-time, Part-time
Study option(s): Thesis, Coursework

Application deadlines

  • February 1 (for admission in September)

Key contacts

Ashley Price at adprice@uwaterloo.ca

Admission Limitations

Due to funding restrictions, the Faculty of Arts is currently limiting the number of international students we can admit. Please contact the department's Associate Chair, Graduate Studies prior to applying to discuss your interest in this program.

Supervisors

Admission 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.

Degree requirements

  • Review the degree requirements in the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, including the courses that you can anticipate taking as part of completing the degree.

Application materials

  • Supplementary information form (SIF)
    • 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.
    • Review the writing your personal statement resources  for helpful tips and tricks on completing this form
  • 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
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable.

    • TOEFL 100 (writing 26, speaking 26), IELTS 7.5 (writing 7.0, speaking 7.0)

Tuition and fees