University of Guelph

What you'll study

The MA in Philosophy is primarily a thesis-based degree with a programme of advanced coursework and seminars to support independent research. Core components typically include supervised research leading to a substantial thesis, advanced seminars in your chosen specialisms, and training in research methods and professional skills.

• Advanced seminars: close-reading and discussion courses in areas such as epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, ethics and political philosophy, philosophy of science, logic and history of philosophy.
• Research methods: workshops on research design, academic writing, and thesis development; opportunities for methodological training relevant to your project (e.g. conceptual analysis, historical methods, formal techniques).
• Specialist topics: offerings often reflect faculty expertise and may include bioethics, environmental and animal ethics, social and political theory, philosophy of language, phenomenology and continental traditions, and applied or professional ethics.
• Thesis: an original research thesis supervised by a faculty adviser, demonstrating mastery of a narrow research question and familiarity with the relevant literature; the thesis is examined by internal and external readers.
• Teaching and professional development: opportunities to work as a teaching assistant, participate in departmental workshops, present at graduate colloquia and attend interdisciplinary seminars across the university (for example in Cognitive Science, Environmental Studies, or Bioethics).

Entry requirements

Admission is competitive and aimed at students who have already completed a good honours undergraduate degree in philosophy or a closely related discipline. Typical application components include:

• Academic record: a four-year honours degree (or equivalent) with strong grades in philosophy courses. Applicants from related disciplines are considered if they demonstrate substantial philosophical preparation.
• Writing sample: a substantial piece of philosophical writing (e.g. an honours essay or term paper) that shows analytical clarity and familiarity with primary sources.
• Statement of research interests: a concise statement outlining proposed areas of research, relevant background, and potential faculty supervisors.
• References: two or three academic references commenting on your scholarly ability and readiness for graduate research.
• English language proficiency: applicants whose first language is not English must meet the university's English language requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MA programme pursue a range of career paths. Many continue to doctoral study and academic careers, while others apply their analytical and communicative strengths in diverse sectors.

• Academia and research: progression to PhD programmes and roles in teaching and research at post-secondary institutions.
• Law, public policy and government: positions that value rigorous argumentation, policy analysis and ethical reasoning.
• Technology and ethics: roles in AI ethics, data governance, and ethical review where conceptual clarity and normative analysis are required.
• Non-profit and advocacy organisations: work on human rights, environmental and animal welfare policy, and ethical strategy.
• Publishing, communication and business: careers in editing, writing, consulting and management that draw on critical thinking and clear expression.

Why study at University of Guelph

The University of Guelph offers a philosophy programme with close faculty supervision in a collegial department that emphasises both theoretical rigour and applied ethical work. Students benefit from small cohort sizes, regular graduate colloquia and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across the university—particularly in environmental studies, animal studies and cognitive science.

Faculty members have strengths across analytic and continental traditions and in applied areas such as bioethics and environmental ethics, giving students a range of supervisory options. The department supports graduate professional development through teaching assistantships, research workshops and conference funding, preparing graduates for both academic and non-academic careers.