205
Graduate Programs
205.58
Philosophy
205.58 Philosophy
Department of Philosophy
2-40 Assiniboia Hall
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E7
E-mail: philgrad@ualberta.ca
205.58.1 General Information
The Department offers programs leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
The fields in which advanced study may be pursued include ethics; social and political philosophy; aesthetics; feminist philosophy; logic; decision theory; philosophy of science, including philosophy of physics, biology, and cognitive science; epistemology; philosophy of language; philosophy of mind; metaphysics; ancient philosophy; modern philosophy from the 17th to the 20th century; and contemporary European and Anglo-American philosophy. Inquiries concerning possible subjects for research should be directed to the Graduate Coordinator.
Entrance Requirements
The Department's minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an average of 3.3 in the last two years of undergraduate work (or graduate work) at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution, and a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) or 88 (internet-based) where applicable (see §203.2.4).
Financial Assistance
Graduate students in the Department are eligible to compete for the general graduate awards listed at www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca and are encouraged to do so. Graduate assistantships are available within the Department; inquiries should be addressed to the Graduate Coordinator.
205.58.2 The Degree of MA
Program Requirements
Required courses depend on the area of specialization and the undergraduate background of the student; however, the MA program normally consists of 
18 and a thesis.
There is no language requirement for the degree of MA.
There is no residency requirement for the degree of MA.
Length of Program
Candidates who have completed training equivalent to that of graduation with Honors in philosophy from this Department will normally require four terms to complete the master's program. Other candidates for the MA degree may take up to two years to complete the requirements for the degree. Students with very little background in philosophy may be required to enrol in a qualifying year, or as a special student before being considered eligible for admission to a graduate degree program.
205.58.3 The Degree of PhD
Program Requirements
The PhD program normally consists of 27 and the preparation and defence of a thesis on an approved topic.
Before taking the oral candidacy examination a student in the PhD program must have passed comprehensive examinations in three areas of the student's choice.
Students whose field of research involves primary-source material in a language other than English shall in addition be required to pass an appropriate language examination.
There is a residency requirement of one year of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta for the PhD program.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the program will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; however, a minimum of three and a half years is normally required.
205.58.4 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the subject heading Philosophy (PHIL).
