{"id":10116,"date":"2023-07-14T14:42:54","date_gmt":"2023-07-14T18:42:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/philosophy\/?page_id=10116"},"modified":"2026-02-10T15:50:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T20:50:59","slug":"m-a-program-requirements","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/philosophy\/m-a-program-requirements\/","title":{"rendered":"Program Options & Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Program Options & Requirements\n <\/h1>\n \n \n <\/header>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

To jump straight to program requirements, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two programs available: the normal M.A. in philosophy, and the M.A. Philosophy with Collaborative Specialization in Digital Humanities. Both programs have thesis or major research essay pathways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research Essays<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A Research Essay is a thorough review of the existing state of the art with respect to a clearly stated topic in philosophy or the history of philosophy, presenting a well-structured, well-argued, and well-written exploration of the student\u2019s own views on the topic, between 50 and 70 standard pages (formatted as required by the Faculty of Graduate and Posdoctoral Affairs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theses<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Theses can take either of two forms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/strong>. A clear statement of a philosophical problem, or, in history of philosophy, an interpretive problem, followed by analysis and argumentation, all informed by a thorough understanding of the existing state of the art with respect to the topic. A thesis must have a thesis, a claim or idea or point of view to the presentation and defence of which the entire essay is devoted. It should be roughly between 80 and 100 standard pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2<\/strong>. The second option includes both of the following: (a) A critical literature review of between 50 and 70 standard pages, including a clear statement of a philosophical problem, or, in history of philosophy, an interpretive problem, followed by a thorough review of the existing state of the art with respect to the topic, in which the student\u2019s perspective on the topic is made clear. (b) An article of between 20 and 30 standard pages, in which the problem is clearly and succinctly stated and situated in the literature, followed by analysis and argumentation for a novel solution to that problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the second option, the bound final version of the thesis will include a departmental note explaining this option, followed by the article and the literature review, each identified as such in the table of contents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Program Requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See below for all requirements for both programs, and both pathways within them. The following is an outline that does not get updated regularly. For an always up to date list of requirements, see here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n
\n

M.A. Philosophy (5.0 credits)<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Requirements – Thesis pathway (5.0 credits)<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.  1.0 credit in:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n1.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nProseminar<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nResearch Seminar<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.  2.0 credits in:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n2.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nM.A. Thesis (must be defended at an oral examination)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3.  2.0 credits in<\/strong> courses, subject to the following limitations:<\/span><\/td>\n2.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
They may include one, but not both of the following:<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nFall Colloquium<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
or<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nWinter Colloquium<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
They may include up to 1.0 credit from:<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nSpecial Topic in Philosophy<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in Philosophy of Mind or Philosophy of Language<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in Logic, Epistemology, Metaphysics or Philosophy of Science<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in Value Theory<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in Ethics or Political Philosophy<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in Contemporary Philosophy<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in the History of Philosophy<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nSemantics<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nLexical Semantics<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
or, with permission of the department other approved courses at the graduate or 4000-level at 杏吧原创 or other universities<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
They may include up to 1.0 credit in tutorials or, with permission of the department, approved graduate-only courses at the graduate level in other departments or at other universities<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
They must include at least 0.5 credit in two of the following areas of study:<\/span><\/div>\n
    \n
  • History of Philosophy<\/li>\n
  • Philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, logic, epistemology, or metaphysics<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Moral, social, or political philosophy<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total Credits<\/td>\n5.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Requirements – Research Essay pathway (5.0 credits)<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.  1.0 credit in:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n1.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nProseminar<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nResearch Seminar<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.  1.0 credit in:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n1.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nResearch Essay<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3.  1.0 credit from:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n1.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nFall Colloquium<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nWinter Colloquium<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
or, with the permission of the department, approved graduate-level courses in other departments or at other universities<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4. Up to 1.0 credit from:<\/span><\/td>\n1.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nSpecial Topic in Philosophy<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in Philosophy of Mind or Philosophy of Language<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in Logic, Epistemology, Metaphysics or Philosophy of Science<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in Value Theory<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in Ethics or Political Philosophy<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in Contemporary Philosophy<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in the History of Philosophy<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nSemantics<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nLexical Semantics<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
or, with permission of the department, approved courses at graduate or 4000-level at 杏吧原创 or other universities<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5. Up to 1.0 credit in tutorials, or, with permission of the department, approved graduate-level courses in other departments or at other universities<\/span><\/td>\n1.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Courses chosen must<\/span><\/span> include at least 0.5 credit in two of the following areas of study:

<\/p>\n

    \n
  • History of Philosophy<\/li>\n
  • Philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, logic, epistemology, or metaphysics<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Moral, social, or political philosophy
    \n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total Credits<\/td>\n5.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

M.A. Philosophy
\nwith Collaborative Specialization in Digital Humanities (5.0 credits)<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Requirements – Thesis pathway (5.0 credits)<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.  1.0 credit in:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n1.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nProseminar<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nResearch Seminar<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.  2.0 credits in:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n2.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nM.A. Thesis (in the specialization)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3.  1.0 credits in<\/strong> courses, subject to the following limitations:<\/span><\/td>\n1.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
– They may include PHIL 5701<\/a> or PHIL 5751<\/a> but not both<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
– They may include up to 0.5 credit from PHIL 5000<\/a>, PHIL 5200<\/a>, PHIL 5250<\/a>, PHIL 5300<\/a>, PHIL 5350<\/a>, PHIL 5500<\/a>, PHIL 5600<\/a>, PHIL 5650<\/a>, PHIL 5660<\/a>, or, with permission of the department, other approved courses at the graduate or 4000-level at 杏吧原创 or other universities<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
– They may include up to 0.5 credit in tutorials, or, with permission of the department, approved graduate-only courses at the graduate level in other departments or at other universities<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
– They must include at least 0.5 credit in two of the following areas of study: history of philosophy, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, logic, epistemology, or metaphysics, moral, social, or political philosophy<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4.  0.5 credit in:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n0.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nIssues in the Digital Humanities<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5.  0.5 credit in<\/strong> DIGH (DIGH 5011<\/a>, DIGH 5012<\/a>, or annually listed DIGH course)<\/span><\/td>\n0.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6.  0.0 credit in:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n0.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nDigital Humanities: Professional Development<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total Credits<\/td>\n5.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Requirements – Research essay pathway (5.0 credits)<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.  1.0 credit in:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n1.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nProseminar<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nResearch Seminar<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.  1.0 credit in:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n1.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nResearch Essay (in the specialization)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3.  1.0 credit from:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n1.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nFall Colloquium<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nWinter Colloquium<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Or, with permission of the department, approved graduate-level courses in other departments or at other universities<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4.  1.0 credit from:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n1.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nSpecial Topic in Philosophy<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in Philosophy of Mind or Philosophy of Language<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in Logic, Epistemology, Metaphysics or Philosophy of Science<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in Value Theory<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in Ethics or Political Philosophy<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in Contemporary Philosophy<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nTopics in the History of Philosophy<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nSemantics<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nLexical Semantics<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Or, with permission of the department, approved courses at graduate or 4000-level at 杏吧原创 or other universities<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5.  0.5 credit in<\/strong> DIGH 5000<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n0.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6.  0.5 credit in<\/strong> DIGH (DIGH 5011<\/a>, DIGH 5012<\/a>, or annually listed DIGH course)<\/span><\/td>\n0.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7.  0.0 credit in:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nDigital Humanities: Professional Development<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total Credits<\/td>\n5.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

To jump straight to program requirements, click here. There are two programs available: the normal M.A. in philosophy, and the M.A. Philosophy with Collaborative Specialization in Digital Humanities. Both programs have thesis or major research essay pathways. Research Essays A Research Essay is a thorough review of the existing state of the art with respect […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cu_dining_location_slug":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_page_type":[],"class_list":["post-10116","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/philosophy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10116","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/philosophy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/philosophy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/philosophy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/philosophy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10116"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/philosophy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10116\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12577,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/philosophy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10116\/revisions\/12577"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/philosophy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_page_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/philosophy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_page_type?post=10116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}