Please note:
To view the Summer 2026 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2026/summer.html.
Philosophy
Our research-based, two-year program is geared towards students who are considering pursuing a PhD in philosophy and want to strengthen their application or make a decision about alternate career paths in a supportive setting. Our requirements are structured to give students a strong foundation across sub-fields in philosophy while also ensuring that they produce high-quality, refined, original work in an area(s) in which they specialize further. We also include developing the practices of philosophical pedagogy as part of our philosophical training for students.
The department specializes in ethics and social/political philosophy, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, epistemology and metaphysics, history of early modern philosophy, and logic.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the university admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the 51社区黑料Calendar. In addition, the applicant must have either a 3.33 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) or a 3.5 CGPA in upper division philosophy courses.
English Language Competence
English is the language of instruction and communication at the university. Accordingly, an applicant whose primary language is not English must demonstrate command of English sufficient to pursue graduate studies in the chosen field. Please refer to the Graduate General Regulations (1.3.3 English Language Competence) for minimum language requirements and further information.
Note that the minimum English language test scores required for this program are higher than the minimum test scores accepted for entry into graduate studies at SFU. For details, visit the Department of Philosophy website.
Program Requirements
This program consists of coursework and a thesis for a minimum of 50 units.
Students must complete
and seven graduate philosophy courses*
and a thesis
* Other courses can be used with the approval of the graduate program chair.
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program requirements in six terms.
Other Information
Course Work
Students are required to complete Pro-Seminar; at least two courses in each of the three main area streams (value theory, metaphysics and epistemology, history of philosophy); and one elective course. Students are also required to meet a logic requirement by taking one of the following courses:*
An advanced introduction to the logical techniques and concepts required for the construction of proofs, including the fundamental principles of set theory and concepts such as set, relation, function, sequence, orderings and others. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 110, 210, 314, 315, or MACM 101; or a minimum of 12 units in MATH. Quantitative.
An examination of one or more topics such as: alethic modal logic, applied modal logic, classical metatheory, and non-classical logic. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 110, 210, 310, 315, or MACM 101, or with the approval of the instructor or department.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jennifer Wang |
Sep 9 鈥� Dec 6, 2026: Mon, 10:30鈥�11:20 a.m.
Sep 9 鈥� Dec 6, 2026: Thu, 10:30 a.m.鈥�12:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
A survey of formal methods used in philosophy. Topics will include some of the following: propositional logic, predicate logic, formal syntax, formal semantics, the probability calculus, decision theory, game theory and formal causal modeling. Prerequisite: One of: PHIL 110, 210, 310, 314, MACM 101, BUEC 232, BUS 232, or STAT 270. Students with credit for COGS 315 cannot take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
There are two other ways to meet the logic requirement. First, the student may have taken the equivalent of one of the above courses at a different institution with a final grade of B+ or better (at the discretion of the graduate chair). Second, the student may take an exam, offered once a year.
Note that a course that satisfies the logic requirement can concurrently count towards one of the streams of the distribution requirements.
* Other courses can be used with the approval of the graduate program chair.
Satisfactory Progress
The student's progress is assessed at least once per year by their supervisory committee as per Graduate General Regulations 1.8. A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 is required to maintain good standing in the program.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.