The M.A. degree offered by the Philosophy Department of Carleton University is a five-credit program, normally requiring four terms of study. 

Either three or four of these credits are gained through coursework, depending on whether a student chooses to do a thesis (two credits) or a research essay (one credit). 

One credit is earned in a pair of required courses: the proseminar and the research seminar. 

The remaining credits are earned by a combination of seminars and tutorials (the latter consist of small group instruction on topics selected by the students). 

The Department at Carleton University offers tutorial courses in most major areas of philosophy. Some seminars may be taken at the University of Ottawa.

Capital Advantage

As home to the Government, Parliament and Supreme Court of Canada, a world-class array of museums, galleries, and cultural festivals, multiple post-secondary educational institutions and many non-governmental organizations of academic interest, Ottawa provides students of philosophy with unique opportunities for the expansion of the mind. 

In collaboration with Carleton, the nation’s capital also regularly hosts visits and public lectures from such intellectual luminaries as Martha Nussbaum, Noam Chomsky, Margaret Atwood, Peter Singer, Michael Walzer, John Perry, Angela Davis and Daniel Dennett.

Fields of Specialization

• Moral, Social, or Political Philosophy
• Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Language

• Academic/Official Transcripts
• Language Proficiency (If Applicable)
• Passport or Visa Documents
• Letters of Reference (2 required)
• Statement of Intent (1 required)
• Writing Sample (2 required)

• The minimum requirement for admission to the master's program is a B.A. Honours degree (or the equivalent) in Philosophy, with at least B+ standing (or the equivalent).
• Students who have not successfully completed an introductory logic course in philosophy at the time of their application will be required to complete the course (or an equivalent) successfully prior to registration or as part of their first year of study. If required, completion of a logic course is extra to the degree requirements.
• Qualifying-year and M.A. applicants from an institution other than Carleton University must submit two papers.

Qualifying Year:

• Applicants who do not hold an Honours degree (or the equivalent) will be required to register in a qualifying-year program before proceeding to the master's program.