Subject to the general regulations of the School of Graduate Studies, admission into the MA Program normally requires a BA (or comparable degree) with a minimum of “B+” standing, in Honours Philosophy or in Honours Philosophy in Combination with Another Subject. The applicant must normally also have at least a “B+” average in Philosophy courses taken in the final year of study. Applicants with an undergraduate degree in another subject are eligible for admission, provided they have a strong overall academic record and at least some background in Philosophy.

International applicants are eligible for admission to the MA program. However, please note that, while international PhD students pay the same fees as domestic PhD students, international MA students are required to pay significantly higher fees. For up-to-date information about graduate student fees at McMaster, see here.

Applicants who do not hold a post-secondary degree from a program where the language of instruction was English are required to provide an official record of their proficiency in English. Please see https://gs.mcmaster.ca/how-to-apply/ under the Language Requirements tab for an enumeration of the exams and minimum scores that constitute sufficient evidence.

Deadline: February 1, 2025, if you wish to receive full consideration for all applicable funding opportunities.

If you encounter any difficulties with your application, please contact us at phlosdep@mcmaster.ca.

To complete an online application to our MA program, please go here. If you have questions regarding our program, please feel free to email the department’s MA Advisor.

A completed application will include the following documents. Please ensure that you upload all of your documents to the online portal before finalizing your application submission.

1. Transcripts: Please upload your transcripts for all post-secondary academic work completed to date as part of your online application.
   • If the final transcript does not show that all degree requirements have been met or the degree is conferred, an official copy of your diploma is also required.
   • Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified literal translation.
   • If your application is accepted for admission to the program, you will be required to submit original transcripts in order to remain enrolled in the program
2. Two Letters of Reference from instructors most familiar with your academic work. Your referees will automatically be sent an e-Reference request on your behalf, once you enter their email address through the online application.
3. English Language Proficiency: For applicants who do not hold a post-secondary degree from a program whose language of instruction was English, you will be required to provide an official record of your proficiency in English. Please see https://gs.mcmaster.ca/how-to-apply/ under the Language Requirements tab for an enumeration of the exams and minimum scores that constitute sufficient evidence.
4. Statement of Interest: A brief statement (1-2 pages) explaining your research interests, how your background prepares you for the program, and your reasons for seeking to pursue your research interests as a graduate student with the McMaster University Philosophy Program.
5. Sample of Work: Please submit a sample of your philosophical writing in English to the online application system. Your writing sample should be indicative of your ability to engage in advanced philosophical research. It need not fall within the area of your proposed research. To ensure full consideration, your writing sample should not exceed 7000 words.
6. C.V.: Please include on your CV any research, publications, academic awards, teaching, or work experience relevant to philosophy.

Application Fee

You will require a valid credit card or Interac card (domestic applicants) for the application fee ($110 CAD) and a valid email address. Your application will not be considered for admission until your application fee has been received and you submit your application.

Please note that there are no admission fee waivers at the present time.

The program is designed to be completed in two years. The first year of the program is dedicated primarily to coursework (students are required to complete six courses in total), while the second year is dedicated primarily to writing an MA thesis under the supervision of a faculty member.

Full-time students in the MA program are guaranteed funding for two years. This consists of both Teaching Assistantship and University Graduate Scholarship funding. For further information about funding, see below, under “Scholarships and Funding.”

The expectation is that students will normally complete the MA within two years, and funding is normally available only for two years. The maximum permissible time for completion of the degree is three years (9 terms).

Visit Graduate Studies to learn more about tuition, supplementary fees and everything you need to know about being paid as a Teaching or Research Assistant. Tuition fees are assessed on a term by term basis, depending on the number of courses a student takes or if they are paying by term.

Learn More

The McMaster Graduate Scholarship (MGS) is the most common form of scholarship support available to graduate students in our program. The MGS ensures that students receive a guaranteed minimum level of scholarship support. Adjustments to the MGS will depend on other available scholarships.

The Faculty of Humanities Adjustments guidelines policy is available for review.

REVIEW THE POLICY