Philosophy (MA)
Master of Arts (MA)
Offered by:
Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts and Science
Why pursue a Master's in Philosophy?
The central focus of philosophy is developing rigorous conceptual frameworks and methods of conceptual analysis adequate to addressing fundamental questions about reality and human life, including questions about the direction we’re headed in as humans. By cultivating your philosophical ability at the MA level you’ll be in a position to wrestle with some of our most significant concerns: the basis of ethical action, human rights, global justice or our relationship with the environment.
At Concordia, we specialize in and encompass both Anglo-American and Continental-European approaches, as well as the history of philosophy.
Our MA students are looking at topics such as: Global justice, Kant’s metaphysics, Merleau-Ponty and traumatic memory, as well as Levinas’s ethics.
We offer a personalized learning environment, supported by a community of committed professors.
Our students are well-placed to continue in the field by pursuing doctoral studies and many are now working at universities around the world. Whatever your path, clarity of thought and careful reasoning, along with familiarity with the history of ideas, will prove invaluable assets.
An honours degree in philosophy, or its equivalent. Qualified applicants requiring prerequisite courses may be required to take up to 12 undergraduate credits in addition to and as a part of the regular graduate program. Applicants with deficiencies in their undergraduate preparation may be required to take a qualifying program.
Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the Graduate Admission page for further information on the Language Proficiency requirements and exemptions.
- Credits. A fully-qualified candidate is required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.
- Options. Students may enter one of the two options, A or B, outlined below.
- Cross-registration. Graduate students in philosophy at Concordia University may take for credit the equivalent of 6 credits at the Université de Montréal, McGill University, or the Université du Québec à Montréal. Courses taken elsewhere may be accepted as credit for one graduate-level course in the Department of Philosophy. Permission for such a substitution must be granted by the Graduate Program Director in the Department of Philosophy, and approval from the other university or department involved must be obtained.
Master of/Magisteriate in Arts with Research Paper (Option A)
Candidates are required to take the following:
- Courses. 18 course credits, with the following distribution requirement: (a) at least three credits in history of philosophy; (b) at least three credits in aesthetics, moral philosophy, or social and political philosophy; (c) at least three credits in metaphysics, epistemology or philosophy of science.
- Research Paper. Students write one major research paper (PHIL 693) on a topic to be determined in consultation with a faculty member, who serves as the supervisor. The student's proposal for the research paper is vetted by the Philosophy Graduate Studies Committee, and should be submitted before May 1 of the first year of full-time study, or the second year in the case of part-time study. A research paper is expected to consider all of the relevant scholarship pertaining to its argument and to make an original contribution to knowledge. An oral defence of the research paper is required before an examining committee consisting of the supervisor and one other professor chosen by the Graduate Program Director in consultation with the supervisor. The Research Paper is graded Accepted or Rejected.
Master of/Magisteriate in Arts with Thesis (Option B)
Candidates are required to take the following:
- Courses: 18 course credits, with the following distribution requirement: (a) at least three credits in history of philosophy; (b) at least three credits in aesthetics, moral philosophy, or social and political philosophy; (c) at least three credits in metaphysics, epistemology or philosophy of science.
- Thesis. Students write a thesis (PHIL 696) on a topic to be determined in consultation with a faculty member. The thesis is written under the guidance of a member of the Department. The student's research proposal is vetted by the Philosophy Graduate Studies Committee, and should be submitted before May 1 of the first year of full-time study, or the second year in the case of part-time study. A master's thesis in philosophy is expected to make an original contribution to knowledge. An oral defence of the thesis is required before an examining committee consisting of the supervisor and two other professors chosen by the Graduate Program Director in consultation with the thesis supervisor. The thesis is graded Accepted or Rejected.
You may choose one of two options.
- Option A: MA with research paper
- Option B: MA with thesis
We encourage students who plan to continue their studies at the doctoral level to write a research paper (option A). You’ll finish with a strong writing sample to submit with your application to a PhD program, and you may also submit the paper for graduate and professional conferences or journals.
If you have a Bachelor's degree in another discipline, with at least 24 credits in Philosophy, you may be eligible to undertake a qualifying year program. Please get in touch with our Graduate Program Director to discuss your options.
Your completed application will include:
- Application form and Fee
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form
- Statement of Purpose (maximum 1,250 words) should include a description of the research you would like to undertake
- Sample(s) of your writing, around 2,500 to 3,750 words
- Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores, unless exempted.
Please apply online. Read the how-to guide for application procedures.
Courses typically offered include:
- Ancient philosophy
- Kant and post-Kantian German philosophy
- Environmental philosophy
- Moral and political philosophy
- Feminist philosophy
- Philosophy of science
- Cognitive science
- Phenomenology
Consult the graduate calendar for a list of courses and our department site for current courses offered.
We’re committed to providing students the support they need to focus on their studies. Top students benefit from scholarships and teaching assistantships, and all students are eligible for conference awards and other funding.
Please also consult the Philosophy Department’s funding page and Financial Aid and Awards.
Choose your supervisor from amongst leading researchers. Speak to the graduate program director to discuss the process of selecting a supervisor.
Review an inspiring list of Major Research Papers and thesis topics.
Our graduates have gone onto universities around the world, including the University of Oxford, McGill University, University of Southern California, Université de Montréal, University of Toronto, LMU Munich, and others.
An MA in Philosophy also positions you to teach in Quebec’s Cegep system.
We believe that clarity of thought and careful reasoning, along with familiarity with the history of ideas, will prove to be invaluable skills, whatever your career path. Read more about philosophy and the job market.
