About PhD Program,
Philosophy scholars pursue questions of truth at the root of virtually all academic investigation in science and the humanities. Our philosophy graduate program is one of Canada’s finest, garnering international recognition. Through their dedication to academic excellence, our doctoral supervisors and students maintain a PhD program that is one of Canada’s top five.
The program has a strong placement record for graduates of both the PhD and MA. While many graduates pursue academic careers, the PhD in philosophy can lead to careers in consulting, public policy and research. Students accepted into this highly competitive PhD program will engage with a vibrant philosophical community supplemented with a visiting speaker series and regular research group meetings.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
A minimum of 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.
Core Course: Graduate Proseminar, usually taken in the first year.
Logic: Students must show competence in logic.
Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
Additional Courses: Topics may include philosophy of science, history of philosophy, metaphysics, ethics, philosophy of language, epistemology, logic and more.
Candidacy: Students will complete both oral and written candidacy exams.
Professional skills: Students take the required Research and Professional Development seminar after they have advanced to candidacy.
PhD Funding Coverage,
PhD students and thesis-based MA students are admitted with a guarantee of departmental funding. Departmental financial support comes in the form of teaching assistantships and scholarship payments. Advanced PhD students may be hired to teach their own courses. Supervisors with research grants may also provide support to students in the form of scholarships or research assistantships.
Teaching assistantships are typically held in the Fall term (September–December) and Winter term (January–April). There is no separate application form for departmental financial support; you will be automatically considered if admitted. Duties of teaching assistants include attending and preparing for lectures, holding tutorial sections with small groups of students, holding office hours, and grading student work. On average, a full-time teaching assistantship requires 12 hours of work per term. It is covered by the collective agreement with the Graduate Labour Union.
Thesis-based MA students are guaranteed financial support for the first two years of at least $15,000 per year. PhD students are guaranteed at least $22,000 for the first four years ($24,000 for international students). These are minimum amounts, and actual financial support is often higher. Course-based MA students are not funded.
Departmental financial support is contingent on availability of funding, student satisfactory progress. Students must also apply for all awards they are eligible for. Note that all students are responsible for paying tuition and feeds; there are no tuition waivers. The Department has no funding commitments to any student re-admitted into any one of its graduate programs or with deferred admission.
Awards
Financial support also comes in the form of major awards students must apply for. Canadian applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for the Canada Graduate Scholarships offered by SSHRC in the Fall term prior to applying. The deadlines are in October for the SSHRC doctoral awards and December 1 for the master’s awards. International applicants may also be eligible for awards from their home country. All applicants for admission to the PhD program are strongly encouraged to submit an application for the University of Calgary Graduate Awards Competition by January 15.
Department of Philosophy Graduate Funding Policy
Fee information
For more details and the most accurate information about graduate tuition and fees, see the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.
Application Requirement,
Unofficial transcripts
Official transcripts
Self-Calculated GPA
Curriculum vitae
Reference letters
Study proposal
Writing sample
Application Deadline,
Jan 15, 2025
Application Fee,
A non-refundable application fee for each application to a graduate degree program. $125 for Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents, $145 for international students with a study permit.
