COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Philosophy at Queen’s University is designed to provide students with advanced training in critical thinking, philosophical analysis, and research, preparing them for scholarly and professional pursuits. The program requires the completion of six one-term graduate-level courses or their equivalent, ensuring that students gain a broad foundation in philosophical inquiry. Of these courses, at least one must focus on epistemology and metaphysics, while at least one must cover value theory, reflecting the department’s commitment to both theoretical and ethical dimensions of philosophy. Graduate courses are classified annually according to these subject areas, and in special circumstances, the course distribution requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Coordinator of Graduate Studies. Alongside coursework, students are expected to complete a Master’s Research Thesis (PHIL 899) of approximately fifty pages, allowing them to engage deeply with a specific philosophical topic under the guidance of a faculty supervisor. This combination of structured coursework and independent research fosters the development of advanced reasoning, analytical skills, and the ability to construct and evaluate complex arguments. The program emphasizes both intellectual rigor and originality, equipping graduates to contribute meaningfully to philosophical scholarship or pursue careers in academia, research, policy, or other fields that value critical and reflective thinking.