Master of Arts Philosophy Specialization in Feminist and Gender Studies

The Department of Philosophy offers MA (with or without thesis) and PhD programs in Philosophy. The programs are offered in English and French. According to the University's policy, students may pursue their studies in the official language of their choice.

The Department participates in the collaborative programs in Feminist and Gender Studies (at the MA level), in Medieval and Renaissance Studies (at the MA level) and in Canadian Studies (at the PhD level). For more information on these programs, see Admission Requirements.”

The Collaborative program in Feminist and Gender Studies at the master's level is designed for students from selected disciplines in arts, education, health sciences, law, social sciences, and counselling and spirituality (Saint Paul University), who have an interest in Feminist and Gender Studies. These students have the opportunity to combine advanced studies in their primary program with analyses from a Feminist and Gender Studies perspective. The degree awarded is a master's degree in the primary program with a .

The programs are governed by the academic regulations in effect for graduate studies.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

To be admitted to the MA program a candidate must have an honours BA in Philosophy (or the equivalent) with a minimum average. The Department reserves the right to impose a preliminary examination.

Candidates lacking the necessary background may be admitted to a qualifying program.

An application dossier must include official transcripts and two letters of recommendation. For the master's with thesis, the dossier must also include a description of the intended field of research, and a sample of written work in philosophy (15-25 pp.).

Collaborative Programs

The Department of Philosophy is a participating unit in the collaborative programs in Feminist and Gender Studies (master's level only) and in Medieval and Renaissance Studies (master's level only).

The collaborative program Feminist and Gender Studies has been established for students wishing to enrich their training in philosophy by including an interdisciplinary component in Feminist and Gender Studies. The specific requirements of the collaborative program include two core courses and a thesis on a topic related to Feminist and Gender Studies. Only one of the core courses will be counted for unit towards the requirements of the master's in philosophy.

Students should indicate in their initial application for admission to the master's program in Philosophy that they wish to be accepted into the collaborative program. For the collaborative program in Feminist and Gender Studies, requests submitted following admission will be considered on an exceptional basis. 

To be accepted in the collaborative program in Feminist and Gender Studies at the master's level, applicants must first be accepted to the master's program in a participating program. Successful applicants will normally hold an honours degree or the equivalent and have a minimum average of 70 per cent (B). They must also have a background in Feminist and Gender Studies, that is, a minimum of two undergraduate level courses or one graduate level course on women, gender, feminism or sexualities. Students who do not have an adequate background may be eligible to our Special Policy for Admissions.

The letter of intention submitted with the application should include a clear account of the “Feminist and Gender Studies” dimension in the proposed topic of research.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both French and English is strongly encouraged so that students may take advantage of the full range of activities — lectures, personal contacts, and courses — available in the Department (graduate courses are normally not duplicated in the two languages).

In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students have a right to produce their work, their thesis, and to answer examination questions in French or in English.

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), by completing form 105.
• Declare all your current and previous postsecondary studies, completed or not, even if they are not related to your application. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your application or the withdrawal of your offer of admission at any time.
• Enter your email address, making sure it is accurate. We will use this address to communicate with you for all matters. Also, check your inbox (and junk mail folder) regularly for messages from the University of Ottawa.
• Pay the application fees for all your admission applications. Applications are forwarded to the University of Ottawa only after fees are paid in full and the payment has cleared. Learn more about application fees.
• Note that OUAC is not part of the University of Ottawa. It handles applications to all Ontario universities and is responsible for transferring your application to our admission office.