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PhD Program in Philosophy

McMaster’s PhD Program in Philosophy enables students to develop their own research while building a foundation of comprehensive knowledge. The program culminates in the preparation and defence of a doctoral dissertation: an original piece of research prepared under the guidance of a supervisory committee. See below for information about the program.

I found the passion amongst individual professors for their discipline and area of study the most beneficial to me.

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Honours Philosophy and Art History Double Major

About the Program

The PhD Program is designed to be completed in four years. It begins with coursework and culminates in a dissertation: an original piece of research prepared under the guidance of a supervisory committee. Students are encouraged to participate in the life of the department by attending talks, meetings, conferences, workshops, reading groups, and social events. We regularly offer workshops on such topics as: publishing, presentations, the academic job market, careers beyond academia, developing as a teacher, writing a thesis, and work-life balance. Students have access to the resources of McMaster’s MacPherson Institute for Teaching and Learning and can teach their own course as a PhD Teaching Fellow. A Placement Coordinator supports students in their pursuit of both academic and non-academic careers.

Further information can be found below and in our Program Handbook (available below).

Admission Requirements

Admission to the PhD program requires an MA in Philosophy or an equivalent degree. An equivalent degree here normally means an MA or other graduate degree in a related subject and at least some background in Philosophy.

There is a possibility for students enrolled in McMaster’s MA program in Philosophy to be accepted into the PhD program without completing the MA degree, subject to their satisfying certain conditions for excellent progress in their first year.

Selection is made by the PhD Program Committee of the Department of Philosophy, and any student admitted comes under the general regulations of McMaster University.

Any applicant whose first language is not English and who has not completed a degree within an accredited university in a program whose primary language of instruction is English must submit evidence of proficiency in English. Please see  https://gs.mcmaster.ca/academic-services/how-apply  under the Language Requirements tab for an enumeration of the exams and minimum scores that constitute sufficient evidence.

Application Process

Deadline: February 1, 2024, if you wish to receive full consideration for all applicable funding opportunities.

If you encounter any difficulties with your application, please contact us at  [email protected] .

To complete an online application to our PhD program, please go  here . If you have questions regarding our program, please feel free to email the department’s  PhD Advisor .

A completed application will include the following documents. Please ensure that you upload all of your documents to the online portal before finalizing your application submission.

• If the final transcript does not show that all degree requirements have been met or the degree is conferred, an official copy of your diploma is also required.
• Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified literal translation.
• If your application is accepted for admission to the program, you will be required to submit original transcripts in order to remain enrolled in the program
• Two Letters of Reference  from instructors most familiar with your academic work. Your referees will automatically be sent an e-Reference request on your behalf, once you enter their email address through the online application.
• English Language Proficiency:  For applicants who do not hold a post-secondary degree from a program whose language of instruction was English, you will be required to provide an official record of your proficiency in English. Please see https://gs.mcmaster.ca/how-to-apply/ under the Language Requirements tab for an enumeration of the exams and minimum scores that constitute sufficient evidence.
• Statement of Interest:  A brief statement (1-2 pages) explaining your research interests, how your background prepares you for the program, and your reasons for seeking to pursue your research interests as a graduate student with the McMaster University Philosophy Program.
• Sample of Work : Please submit a sample of your philosophical writing in English to the  online application system . Your writing sample should be indicative of your ability to engage in advanced philosophical research. It need not fall within the area of your proposed research. To ensure full consideration, your writing sample should not exceed 7000 words.
• C.V.:  Please include on your CV any research, publications, academic awards, teaching, or work experience relevant to philosophy.

Application Fee

You will require a valid credit card or Interac card (domestic applicants) for the application fee ($110 CAD) and a valid email address. Your application will not be considered for admission until your application fee has been received and you submit your application.

Please note that there are no admission fee waivers at the present time.

Program Timelines

The PhD Program is designed to be completed in four years. We summarize here the structure of the program and normal progression through it. For a more detailed timeline, please see the Program Handbook (available below).

In year 1 , students typically complete five graduate courses, and, in consultation with the Department’s PhD Advisor, form their supervisory committee (consisting of a supervisor and two other faculty members). They also apply for any external scholarships for which they are eligible.

In year 2 , students complete the PhD Seminar (a full year course required for all second-year PhD students, and open only to them) and prepare their thesis proposal. In May of year 2, they complete their qualifying exam, which consists of an oral defence of a written thesis proposal. Students whose research requires competence in logic or a language other than English must demonstrate that competence (typically by an exam) before taking the qualifying exam.

In years 3 and 4 , students work on their thesis in collaboration with their supervisor and committee. They also have opportunities to teach their own course as a PhD Teaching Fellow.

Throughout the program, students are encouraged to engage with the life of the department, university, profession, and broader community. This includes giving talks and guest lectures, helping organize events, and submitting their work to conferences and for publication.

Tuition & Program Fees

Visit Graduate Studies to learn more about tuition, supplementary fees and everything you need to know about being paid as a Teaching or Research Assistant. Tuition fees are assessed on a term by term basis, depending on the number of courses a student takes or if they are paying by term.

Faculty Scholarship Adjustments Guidelines

The McMaster Graduate Scholarship (MGS) is the most common form of scholarship support available to graduate students in our program. The MGS ensures that students receive a guaranteed minimum level of scholarship support. Adjustments to the MGS will depend on other available scholarships.

The Faculty of Humanities Adjustments guidelines policy is available for review.

REVIEW THE POLICY

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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PhD students take six graduate courses in total: five regular (usually single-semester) courses, plus the PhD Seminar in year 2. With permission of the PhD Advisor, one of the five regular graduate courses may be taken outside Philosophy. Students’ coursework must also satisfy the department’s area requirements (for details, see the Program Handbook, available below). The minimum grade for passing a graduate course at McMaster is B-. Graduate students may also select from Philosophy graduate courses at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Guelph.

Learn more about specific courses by reading our graduate course descriptions. Archived descriptions from previous years are also available. Graduate course descriptions

Archived course descriptions

The Qualifying Exam (QE) is an oral examination based on a written thesis proposal. It is normally completed in May of year 2. It can be retaken, but, absent an extension, must be passed before the end of the student’s 24th month in the program (normally the end of August in year 2). The purpose of the QE is to ensure the candidate has a viable thesis proposal and the background to carry it through successfully. To be eligible to take the QE, the student must have achieved (by the end of the 20th month in the program) a GPA on courses taken towards the PhD of at least 9.5. Students whose research requires competence in logic or a language other than English must also demonstrate that competence (typically by an exam) before taking the QE.

Doctoral students prepare their thesis in consultation with their supervisor and other members of their supervisory committee. With the approval of the supervisory committee, the finished work is submitted to an external examiner. Upon approval by the external examiner, the thesis is defended before members of the supervisory committee and the external examiner. General information about the doctoral thesis and thesis defence process at McMaster can be found here .

All students in the PhD Program are guaranteed funding for four years. This funding takes two main forms: a Teaching Assistantship (TA) and a graduate scholarship. Funding of both kinds may be possible beyond the end of year 4, but is not guaranteed.

Teaching Assistantships

The value of the TA is fixed by the Collective Agreement between the University and Local 3906, Unit 1 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. In 2023-24, the stipend for a full-year TA is $12,906.32. To hold a TA, students must be enrolled full-time and have paid full-time fees. Under the agreement between Local 3906 and the University, the position of TA requires an average of 10 working hours of work per week over a full academic session (Fall and Winter only), for a maximum of 266 hours a year, or 133 hours each academic term.

Typical duties for a Teaching Assistant include conducting two tutorials each week when classes are in session, with up to 20 students in each; grading student work; and consultation with students. Teaching Assistants carry out their duties under the supervision of the instructor in charge of the relevant course.

Graduate Scholarships

In addition to the TA, all PhD students who do not have an external scholarship receive a McMaster Graduate Scholarship (MGS) for four years. The value of the scholarship will be specified in the offer of admission. If a student wins an external award such as an OGS or SSHRC award, their initial offer of an MGS is rescinded and replaced by this external scholarship, assuming it is of higher value. Limited MGS support may be possible beyond year 4, but is not guaranteed.

PhD students are expected to apply for all external awards for which they are eligible. The Department makes its students aware of all funding opportunities and guides them in their applications.

The Department adheres to the Faculty of Humanities guidelines on scholarship adjustments for students winning major, merit-based internal or external awards. These can be found here.

Academic Travel Support

Any graduate student who has a paper accepted at a peer-reviewed philosophy conference is eligible for funding up to $750, once a year, to enable attendance. To apply for this funding, students should complete the  Department of Philosophy Travel Funds application , including confirmation of their paper’s acceptance and an estimate of anticipated expenses.

Limited funds for conference travel purposes may also be available to eligible students who apply to the  Graduate Students Association .

• Program Handbook
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Department Life

The McMaster department regularly hosts conferences and workshops. Graduate students are heavily involved in these events, as both presenters and organizers. There is also a weekly visiting speaker series during the teaching term. The speaker series is preceded and followed by social events, in which the whole department community can come together. There are always reading groups in progress. For further information, see “ Our Community ” and “ Events .”

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The Finance specialization is designed for highly-motivated and academically strong students with a solid Master’s level training in finance, economics, mathematics, physics, engineering, or related subjects. It’s suited for students who wish to pursue academic careers or research-related opportunities in the financial industry or the public sector.

Strong quantitative skills are required.

During the first two years, students undertake course work, take comprehensive exams (in two parts), and develop a research proposal. Following years are devoted to completing a thesis.

The experienced research faculty within DeGroote’s Finance area are well-equipped to supervise students working in a variety of specialties, including corporate finance, capital markets, and derivatives.

Required Courses

• B790  – Seminar on Management Theory
• F770  – Financial Economics and Quantitative Methods
• F771  – Financial Economics I
• F772  – Financial Economics II
• F773  – Empirical Methods in Finance
• F774  – Seminar in Finance
• 721 – Microeconomic theory I
• 722 – Microeconomic theory II
• 723 – Macroeconomic Theory I
• 761 – Econometrics I
• 762 – Econometrics II
• Students are also required to take one additional 700-level course in business, economics or mathematics. The specific course will be determined in consultation with your supervisor.

Other Areas of Study

• Health Policy and Management
• Human Resources and Management
• Information Systems
• Management Science
• Strategic Management

Faculty of Science

Department of mathematics & statistics, ph.d. program in mathematics.

The main thrust of the Ph.D. program is original research done under the supervision of a faculty member. Students choose a supervisor some time during their first year of study. Until then, the mathematics graduate advisor serves as an interim supervisor. The criteria for choosing a supervisor vary, but shared research interests play the decisive role. Students come into contact with faculty members in the academic setting of graduate courses, research seminars, and advanced workshops. Students can become more acquainted with faculty in less formal settings of weekly teas (before Colloquium talks) and social gatherings at the University Club (after Colloquium talks), and other departmental get togethers.

Once a supervisor has been chosen, a supervisory committee is formed. This committee consists of two or three additional faculty members. The committee meets with the student annually to chart progress toward the degree.

The course requirement for Ph.D. students is a minimum of two one-term graduate courses beyond the Master’s degree. This requirement is normally completed in the first year of study. Courses are chosen in consultation with the mathematics graduate advisor and/or the supervisory committee.

All Ph.D. students must pass the comprehensive exam requirement, which consists of a preliminary exam and an oral exam.

More information on Ph.D. requirements can be found in the Guidelines for Ph.D. Math Students .

PhD Degrees Awarded 1960-present

PhD in Economics

McMaster’s community of scholars includes faculty, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, and graduate students. Through this program, students will become independent, professional economists using state-of-the-art methods to analyze economic phenomena. Areas of specialization include Econometrics, Growth and Monetary, Health, International, Labour, Population, and Public Economics.

We admit 5-8 PhD students each year, which results in small classes and intensive interaction between students and faculty. PhD students may choose a co-op option (formally called Work Integrated Learning) associated with this program after passing the comprehensive exams.

A Pathway to Success

Graduates of the PhD program in economics become professional and independent economists able to analyze economic phenomena using state-of-the-art techniques. Graduates primarily pursue one of two career tracks. One is to become an economics professor. We regularly place our graduates in academic positions, both in departments of economics and in interdisciplinary settings with a strong economics focus, such as schools of public policy.

A second option is a career in the public or private sector. We place our graduates in high-quality research positions within government ministries and agencies, such as the Department of Finance and the Bank of Canada, in international organizations, and, less frequently, in the private sector. Faculty members of the department are affiliated with or lead a number of research facilities and centers at McMaster. These centers and facilities support economics research by graduate students.

Secure Empirical Analysis Lab (SEAL) houses a wide range of confidential micro-data that can be used to conduct research in the areas of education, charities, and public services, with data holding expanding on a continuous basis.

Statistics Canada Research Data Centre (RDC) (Mike Veall, Director), houses the master files of a large variety of Statistics Canada survey data plus an increasing array of public-sector administrative microdata (e.g., census data, vital statistics, employment data, justice system data) that support economic research.

McMaster Decision Science Laboratory (McDSL) , Canada’s first computer-mediated experimental economics laboratory, provides the capability for conducting controlled economic experiments across a wide range of economic fields (Bradley Ruffle, Director). The Faculty of Social Science is committed to developing state-of-the-art facilities for empirical research, including expanded microdata analysis and economic experiments in the L.R. Wilson Hall.

Apply to the PhD in Economics

Ready to join us? Submit your application today!

Program Information

Requirements and timelines.

The first phase is passing the comprehensive macroeconomic and microeconomic theory exams. To accomplish this, students must complete the following coursework:

• two microeconomics theory courses (ECON 721** and ECON 722)
• two macroeconomic theory courses (ECON 723** and ECON 724)
• two econometrics courses (ECON 761* and ECON 762)
• ECON 765 (as it is a required course)
• elective courses must be passed prior to writing comprehensive examinations in any area (see phase 2)

Students entering the PhD program from our MA in Economics program will already have completed the required courses and two electives; these students would require approximately six more electives. The Economics waiver exam may allow PhD students who enter the PhD program from another university to receive credit for ECON 761. Electives must be chosen so that the student satisfies the coursework requirements of his or her chosen fields for comprehensive exams (see the list below). Most electives are taken from courses offered by the economics department, but a student may also take up to two courses from other departments, with the approval of the graduate chair (economics) and the course instructor. Students in recent years, for example, have taken finance courses offered by the DeGroote School of Business, health-related courses offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences, and statistics courses offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

After the successful completion of the first year of coursework, comprehensive exams in micro and macro theory are typically given in May or June.

The second phase involves passing comprehensive exams in two areas of specialization and writing a research paper. The field examination committee may require that candidates complete specific courses before taking these exams. Below are the typical areas of specialization and the typical courses required for each. A graduate chair may, however, permit additional specializations in areas where the department has a research strength provided they are based on courses offered by the department.

The fields currently available are:

• Econometrics
• Experimental Economics
• Growth and Monetary Economics
• Health Economics
• International Economics
• Labour Economics
• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• Population Economics
• Public Economics

Field exams are normally written after the second year of coursework has been successfully completed. Candidates have two chances to pass each comprehensive exam. Within 18 months of starting the program, students must pass the micro and macro theory comprehensive exams. The exams must be completed within 24 months of beginning the program. Within 27 months of entering the doctoral program, the student must complete a research paper. The research paper will be presented in the Fall term during the PhD workshop discussed below. The research paper must be accepted by the supervisory committee.

The thesis is the third phase. At this point, students may choose to enroll in additional courses if they are relevant to their proposed research. With the approval of the Graduate Chair, up to four half courses may be taken outside of the department. In addition to writing a thesis and taking courses, students must achieve the Active Researcher Milestone which involves participating in the department’s research activities (for example, by attending seminars, PhD workshops and meeting with visiting speakers) and regularly presenting their research. The Active Researcher Milestone must be achieved annually until graduation.

At this stage, students are required to complete the following seminar courses. Students who have passed all their comprehensive examinations should register for ECON 798 in the Fall term that immediately follows and present the research paper. Doctoral students typically take a total of 12-14 graduate courses at this university.

ECON 798: Workshops in Economics I

ECON 799: Workshops in Economics II

Co-op Option

Students in the PhD program who have successfully completed the comprehensive examinations may apply for the co-op option associated with this degree program. The number of students who will be accepted will be small and will depend on available placements. To complete the PhD co-op option, the student must work a total of eight months in either one or two placements and successfully complete both ECON 796 Economics Co-op Work Term I and ECON 797 Economics Co-op Work Term II.

*A student who has a particularly strong background in econometrics can elect to write the econometrics waiver exam. Students who pass the waiver exam are allowed to replace ECON 761 (term 1 of econometrics) with an elective course. These students take ECON 762 in term 2 and complete the econometrics project. Credit for ECON 761 will appear on their transcripts.

**All students registering in ECON 721 (Micro Theory 1) or ECON 723 (Macro Theory 1) are encouraged to take the mathematics preparation course ECON 765, an intensive ten-day refresher course in mathematics (MATH CAMP). Math camp is given in August, prior to the start of regular graduate courses for the fall term. After the completion of this course, students are tested regarding their mathematics preparation. The course has two parts. Part I covers topics related to ECON 721-Micro Theory I and part II covers topics related to ECON 723-Macro Theory I and matrix algebra. Each part has its own final exam. Students registered in ECON 721(ECON 723) must write the exam related to part I (part II). A student’s score on the part I (part II) exam counts as 10% of the student’s final grade in ECON 721-Micro Theory I (ECON 723-Macro Theory I).

***Incoming students are strongly encouraged to enroll in ECON 4T03 so they are well prepared for first term micro.

Admissions and Applications

The application portal opens on november 15th and closes on january 14th..

Learn more about the graduate studies application process and how to apply.

As a minimum, a standard Canadian entrant into our PhD program will have a Master’s degree in economics from a recognized university and will have maintained B+ average in their master’s study. We emphasize that these are minimum standards; those admitted typically have stronger academic records.

Students from foreign universities are expected to have equivalent backgrounds. Although equivalency is difficult to determine, here are some guidelines for a few countries from which we commonly receive inquiries:

• India: First-class standing for the Bachelor’s degree and upper-second-class standing for the Master’s degree.
• Bangladesh and Pakistan: First-class standing in both the bachelors and master’s degrees.
• China: A four-year degree with an average of at least 85%. The subject area must be ECONOMICS, not business. Strong skills in mathematics and statistics/econometrics are expected.

A student whose native language is not English, and who has not completed an English-language degree in a predominantly English-speaking country, must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score for the Dept of Economics is 580 (237 on the computerized exam; 92 iBT); the minimum acceptable IELTS score is 7.5 . Please note, the minimum requirement for the Dept of Economics is higher than the School of Graduate Studies minimum of 6.5.

If you have any questions email them to [email protected] . Please be patient all emails will be answered.

**If your transcript states the medium of instruction was English or you submit a letter with your application from the University stating your medium of instruction was English then that will waive your ELP requirement and a test result will not be required**

Please note if you submit a score lower than 7.5, your application will not be reviewed. It is imperative that you meet the testing requirements noted above.

Required Document Checklist

• Application Form and Fee
• Two letters of reference
• Academic transcripts
• Statement of interest
• Writing Sample (Paper or Essay – there is no minimum words and it must be single author)

As reference links are sent after your application is submitted, it is highly recommended that you apply at least one week before the January 15th deadline, as this will allow for references and other documents be received in time.

Financial Information, Scholarships and Awards

Information on Graduate Program fees can be found on the Office of the Registrar website.

Financial Aid

Students to whom we offer admission are automatically considered for financial assistance – no special forms need be filled out. Funding is awarded on academic excellence and the availability of funds. Funding is open to all domestic and international students.

All students admitted to the PhD program are offered two forms of financial assistance. The first is a Teaching Assistant (TA) position, which normally requires the student to perform 130 hours of marking or tutoring in each of the fall and winter terms. The second is scholarship support. In addition, many upper-year PhD students receive support in the form of a Research Assistantship (RA) in lieu of a TA, in which they work on a research project with a faculty member.

The minimum annual financial assistance provided to a PhD student is $17,500 during each of first four years of doctoral study. If a student’s study extends beyond four years, financial assistance as a TA or RA may be available, but it is not guaranteed.

Finally, in addition to the financial assistance provided in a letter of offer, students are eligible for TA and RA positions during the spring and summer terms, which provides support above that available during the Fall and Winter terms.

Trudeau Scholarship: Students in the 1st or 2nd year of the doctoral program or those applying to the doctoral program are eligible. View more information regarding eligibility and the application process.

Additional information on external scholarship support can be found at the following sites:

• Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
• SSHRC Doctoral Scholarships and Fellowships
• School of Graduate Studies Scholarship Information
• Commonwealth Scholarships

More Questions? Check out our FAQ

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Office Location

Department of Economics Kenneth Taylor Hall , 426 1280 Main Street West Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4M4

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Labour Studies

PhD in Labour Studies

Phd labour studies.

The only Labour Studies PhD degree in North America. Our program engages closely and critically with the issues of work and labour in contemporary and historical perspective. We aim to develop a new generation of scholars who are prepared to contribute to research leadership in the academy, the community, policy arenas and organizations representing working people.

We are a small, tight-knit interdisciplinary program. Students will enjoy active mentorship from leading scholars in the field and benefit from the strong union and community connections of faculty. This program is offered in-person at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

Apply to a PhD in Labour Studies

Ready to join us? Submit your application today!

Program Information

Requirements and timelines.

The program, which normally takes four years of full-time study, consists of course work, comprehensive examinations and a Dissertation. Students are required to take four courses, of which Methods and Advanced Labour Studies Theory are required. Additional courses are chosen from a list of core Labour Studies courses as well as from disciplines such as Sociology, Political Science, Geography, Social Work, History, etc.

Course Requirements

Normally, candidates for the PhD will complete 12 units (4 courses) of course work at the graduate level which include:

• LABRST 715 or an equivalent methods course approved by the program; Students entering the PhD program who have already taken LABRST 715 are exempt from this requirement and may take another elective.
• LABRST 793 Advanced Labour Studies Theory.
• Two elective courses offered by the School of Labour Studies or by another department or academic unit.

Supervisors and Supervisory Committees

Successful applicants will be assigned a temporary supervisor of studies upon admission. Not later than eight months following arrival, a supervisory committee for each PhD student will be appointed by the Graduate Committee, on the recommendation of the student and their dissertation supervisor.

This committee will consist of at least three members: a dissertation supervisor, normally a full-time faculty member in the School of Labour Studies, and two other members, at least one of whom is a faculty member from outside of the School of Labour Studies, whose scholarly interests include the area of the student’s main interest.

Comprehensive Examination

After finishing their course work, normally in Term 1 of their second year in the program, students will complete a comprehensive exam. The purpose of the exam is to ensure that the student has sufficient knowledge of the relevant scholarly literature in the field of Labour Studies and that they are able to synthesize and communicate this literature in a critically insightful way. The comprehensive exam will consist of a written and an oral component. The examination committee for the comprehensive exam shall normally consist of the members of the supervisory committee.

Dissertation Proposal

Following the completion of the comprehensive exam requirement, students will publicly present their dissertation proposal outlining their research question, methodology and how their project will contribute to academic knowledge.

Dissertation

Candidates for the PhD degree are required to write a dissertation with a maximum length of 300 double spaced pages that demonstrates competence in original research following School of Graduate Studies guidelines. Students will be required to defend their dissertation in an oral examination.

This program is offered in-person at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Detailed program information is available in the PhD Handbook .

Admissions and Applications

Admission requirements for phd degree.

• Master’s degree or equivalent in any discipline with a minimum A- average from an accredited university.
• A demonstrated interest in studying work, employment or worker organizations from a Labour Studies perspective.
• Select candidates may be admitted with a B+ average from a Master’s degree if they have a minimum of five years of work or volunteer experience in labour or work-related community organizations and can provide evidence that they have strong writing and critical thinking skills.
• Applicants are evaluated based on their qualifications and the alignment of their interests with the research interests and faculty availability.
• While supervisors are not appointed before successful admission, applicants are encouraged to contact faculty members in the Department regarding potential PhD supervision and the PhD program. You have the opportunity to list three potential supervisors in your application. If admission is offered, a supervisor is then assigned

Applications for 2024 entry will open in Fall 2024. Priority given to applications received on or before January 8; however, applicants will be accepted on an ongoing basis until programs have filled.

Applications will be reviewed after the January deadline. Admission decisions will be communicated in March. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Required Application Documents:

Graduate studies online application.

• Each applicant must complete the Graduate Studies Online Application, which opens in October each year.
• In addition to the online application, applicants must also submit the required documents listed below. Note that some required application documents must be submitted through your online application.

Academic Transcripts

• Scanned/unofficial/student-generated transcripts for ALL post-secondary studies completed or in-progress are required at the time of application.
• Transcripts from institutions where you completed courses on Letter of Permission and/or as part of Student Exchange Programs must also be included.
• Official transcripts must be submitted if an offer of admission is made:

Electronic:

• Select this option instead of paper if the issuing institution produces official, electronic transcripts sent directly to other institutions.
• The issuing institution must send the official, electronic transcript to [email protected] .
• This official, electronic transcript from the institution does NOT replace the scanned, electronic transcripts that the applicant must upload through their online application.
• Official transcripts in a sealed envelope signed/stamped by the issuing institution and sent from the issuing institution directly to the School of Labour Studies (mailing address below).

McMaster University transcripts:

• If you are submitting a transcript from McMaster University, submit the transcript in Electronic format ONLY. You do NOT need to request a paper transcript to be sent to the School of Labour Studies if the transcript is from McMaster University.

Note: The status of your transcripts and application in the School of Graduate Studies McMaster University Application will not be updated to ‘complete’ until you have sent an official electronic or paper transcript. Please ensure you upload transcripts from all institutions attended at the time of application for evaluation purposes.

Academic References:

• Two (2) confidential reference reports from instructors most familiar with your academic work.
• In cases of mature applicants (more than two years since last enrolled in a post-secondary education institution), one (1) work-related reference is acceptable.
• McMaster University uses an Electronic Referencing System (e-Reference). By entering the email address of your referee through your online application, the system will automatically send an e-Reference request on your behalf

Referees may require 3-4 weeks to complete a reference report. If you are unable to use the Electronic Referencing System, you can download the Reference Form to send to your referees for completion. Downloaded reference forms must be sent by the reference directly by email to [email protected] or to the mailing address below.

Statement of Interest:

• Must be uploaded as a PDF document through your online application.
• 3-4 pages (750 – 1000 words), double-spaced.
• References page(s) should be single-spaced and do not count towards the maximum 3-4-page limit.

An effective statement includes:

• A clear research question.
• Rationale for your research question.
• A clear research plan and methodology.
• How your background (including education and work/volunteer experience) prepares you to do the research.
• Why the School of Labour Studies at McMaster is the right place for you to pursue the above research question.

English Language Proficiency (if applicable)

• If English is not your native language, an official copy of your English Language Proficiency score or other evidence of competency in English is required. Applicants whose university studies were completed at an institution where English is deemed the official language of instruction may be exempt from this requirement (an official letter from the institution is required)
• The English Language Proficiency exam must have been completed within two years of the application due date
• The most common English Language Proficiency exams:
• TOEFL: minimum score of 92 (internet-based), 237 (computer-based) or 580 (paper-based), minimum of 20 per band. Please use TOEFL department code 080 (Other Social Sciences).
• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score of 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each section
• Other English Language Proficiency exams may be accepted. Please visit the School of Graduate Studies: How to Apply website and click ‘Language Requirements’ for more information.
• Submit English Language Proficiency exam results as a scanned document uploaded through your online application.

Application Deadline:

• Priority given to applications received on or before January 8; however, applicants will be accepted on an ongoing basis until programs have filled.

Please send all (hard copy) supporting documents to:

School of Labour Studies c/o Megan Stokes Kenneth Taylor Hall 716 McMaster University 1280 Main Street West Hamilton, ON L8S 4M4 Canada

Tips for successful applications:

Review the PhD Handbook and Application Guide.

• Contact a potential supervisor in Labour Studies prior to submitting an application to ensure that they are taking students and to gauge their interest in your proposed project. Eligible supervisors include all core Labour Studies faculty members (not including associate members).
• While supervisors are not appointed before successful admission, applicants are encouraged to contact faculty members in the Department. You have the opportunity to list three potential supervisors in your application. If admission is offered, a supervisor is then assigned.
• A clear research question
• Rationale for the research question
• A clear research plan and methodology
• If you need further advice, seek advice from a mentor from your previous school/program, since they know you best.

International Applicants are encouraged to review the information on our prospective International Student site .

Financial Information, Scholarships and Awards

All full-time PhD candidates will be offered a minimum level of funding, currently set at an annual minimum value equal to full-time tuition plus $13,500.00 for 4 years, from a combination of sources that may include teaching assistantships, graduate scholarships, and external scholarships/bursaries.

For information about major scholarships and awards competitions, please visit the School of Graduate Studies website.

International applicants, please see EduCanada website for Scholarships and Awards.

Scholarships

Internal scholarships.

• Competitive scholarship funding is offered to full-time graduate students in the School of Labour Studies. Internal scholarships, which include Graduate Scholarships, are intended to help students devote their time and energy to the successful completion of their studies.

External Scholarship

• Many of our current and incoming students receive notable scholarships from external funding agencies such as OGS, SSHRC, etc. Applicants are highly encouraged to apply to external funding agencies. Once admitted, students will be required to apply for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Doctoral Fellowship annually, if not already an award recipient.

Teaching Assistant (TA)/Research Assistant (RA) in lieu Positions

Each PhD student and many Master’s students are offered a TA or RA in lieu of TA valued at approximately $12,900 for a full year and $6,450.00 for a half year for 10 hours per week.

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Natalie Poplestone Graduate Administrative Assistant Email: [email protected]

Office Location

Department of Labour Studies Kenneth Taylor Hall, 717 1280 Main Street West Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4M4

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Our office follows a hybrid model, with staff available either in person or remotely during regular office hours.

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PhD Program in Cognitive Science of Language

Join our world-class Languages & Linguistics Department to continue your study of language structure, language processing and the neural basis of language in the Cognitive Science of Language PhD Program.

Our courses are so hands-on and application based that you end up developing a unique and valuable skillset, which ends up leading into a variety of career paths that would otherwise have been difficult to grow accustomed to.

Meliha Horzum '20

Honours Cognitive Science of Language

About the Program

Based in the Department of Linguistics and Languages, the PhD program in Cognitive Science of Language is interdisciplinary and includes faculty from Humanities, Science, and Health Sciences. The program has a strong research orientation with expertise in cognitive science, corpus linguistics, neurolinguistics, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics and theoretical linguistics. The program introduces students to the issues in those fields that form the nexus of linguistics, cognitive science and cognitive neuroscience, and trains students in the research methods employed to study them.

Admission Requirements

A MSc in the Cognitive Science of Language or an equivalent Master’s degree is required for entrance into the PhD program. Some applicants may require additional courses in core areas (e.g. linguistics or cognitive science) in order to be eligible for admission. Each application will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Language Requirement

In order to ensure language diversity and breadth, the Department has a second-language requirement for the PhD degree, in addition to the general Graduate School requirement of English proficiency. Candidates should have, as a minimum, intermediate knowledge of a language other than English, defined as having passed the equivalent of two (2) full year courses. Candidates admitted without this requirement will be expected to pass the equivalent of two (2) full year courses or to pass a Qualifying Exam. The Department will evaluate each student’s language preparation at the Admission stage.

Application Process

The official electronic transcripts should be sent from the issuing institution directly to our department’s email: [email protected]

The online application portal for our graduate program in Cognitive Science of Language unlocks November 1st each year for September admission only. 

THOSE WHO SUBMIT  THEIR  COMPLETED APPLICATIONS (BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL) BY THE JANUARY 31ST DEADLINE WILL HAVE FIRST CONSIDERATION.

• Complete the online application -> McMaster University Application  
• Statement of Interest (identify the faculty member you wish to work with)
• Writing Sample (any type of academic writing i.e. term paper, thesis chapter)
• Two academic references (McMaster University uses an Electronic Referencing System. By entering the email address of your referee through the online application, the system will automatically send an e-Reference request on your behalf)
• English Language Proficiency (if English is not your native language)
• Official transcripts of all post-secondary academic work completed to date (transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to our Department, please include English translation if applicable)
• Official copy of your TOEFL or IELTS scores or any other evidence of English proficiency (TOEFL: minimum score of 92 (internet based), 237 (computer based) or 580 (paper based), minimum of 20 per band; for the Faculty of Engineering a minimum score of 88 (internet based) or 213 on the (computer based) or 550 (paper based)  IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score of 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each section)
• **NOTE** Applicants from outside of Canada should begin the application process as early as possible to allow time to obtain all necessary documents.

Program Timelines

Students entering with a MSc in the Cognitive Science of Language are required to complete three half courses plus one pass/fail module. If the following courses were not completed in the MSc program, they must be included in the PhD program of study:

• COGSCIL 730 / Language Analysis Methods: Phonology and Morphology
• COGSCIL 731 / Language Analysis Methods: Syntax and Semantics
• COGSCIL 726 / The Cognitive Science of Language Ph.D. Lecture Series must be completed in Year 1 of the PhD program
• Plus additional courses approved by the student’s supervisory committee to total three half courses

Students entering with a Master’s degree but not an MSc in the Cognitive Science of Language are required to complete seven half courses plus one pass/fail lecture series module as listed below. The Lecture series must be completed in year one of the program.  

Required courses:

• COGSCIL 721 / Fundamentals of the Cognitive Neuroscience of Language
• COGSCIL 722 / Contemporary Issues in the Cognitive Neuroscience of Language
• COGSCIL 726 / The Cognitive Science of Language Ph.D. Lecture Series  
• Plus additional courses approved by the student’s supervisory committee to total seven half courses

The Comprehensive Examination is intended to ensure that the student develops competence in a subfield of Cognitive Science of Language beyond the focus of the thesis. In consultation with the supervisory committee, the student will identify a topic for the Comprehensive that is distinct from the thesis topic.

In most cases, the Director of the Comprehensive will not be the thesis supervisor. The student and the Comprehensive Director agree in writing on the nature of the deliverable for the Comprehensive and on interim and final deadlines. At a minimum, the Comprehensive consists of a written paper and oral examination of the topic of the paper. The paper may consist of a literature review, proposal for a research project, report of a research project or report of a teaching project. The scope of the project should be such that it can reasonably be completed within one semester. The paper will usually be 20-30 pages long.

The Comprehensive Director identifies at least one other faculty member; together, the Director and these other faculty members constitute the Comprehensive Exam Committee. (Comprehensive Directors are encouraged to recruit Comprehensive Examiners from beyond the Department of Linguistics & Languages.) The Comprehensive Director advises the student on the preparation of the paper. The Comprehensive Exam Committee determines whether the paper is ready for an oral defense, and conducts the oral examination. The oral examination consists of a brief presentation by the student regarding the content of the paper followed by questions from the Committee. The Comprehensive Exam must be successfully completed within 20 months of entering the PhD program.

All students are expected to attend the talks in the Cognitive Science of Language Lecture Series, where scholars from around the world in the fields of Linguistics, Psychology, and Cognitive Neuroscience discuss their research.

Tuition & Program Fees

Visit Graduate Studies to learn more about tuition, supplementary fees and everything you need to know about being paid as a Teaching or Research Assistant. Tuition fees are assessed on a term by term basis, depending on the number of courses a student takes or if they are paying by term.

Faculty Scholarship Adjustments Guidelines

The McMaster Graduate Scholarship (MGS) is the most common form of scholarship support available to graduate students in our program. The MGS ensures that students receive a guaranteed minimum level of scholarship support. Adjustments to the MGS will depend on other available scholarships.

The Faculty of Humanities Adjustments guidelines policy is available for review.

REVIEW THE POLICY

Apply to an PhD Program in Linguistics & Languages

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GRADUATE SUPERVISORS

Research your passion in Linguistics & Languages with supervision from our world-class faculty.

SEE OUR CURRENT AND FORMER PhD STUDENTS

Supplemental information.

Graduate Courses in Linguistics and Languages

Course outlines 2024-2025

• Cogscil 6D03 – Computers and Linguistic Analysis
• Cogscil 6XX3 – Topics in Linguistic Theory
• Cogscil 712 – Reading Course (Linguistics)
• Cogscil 713 – Reading Course (Cognitive Science)
• Cogscil 726A – The Cognitive Science of Language M.Sc. Lecture Series
• Cogscil 749 – Lab Visual Language

Winter 2025 (the outlines will be added by the beginning of the winter term)

• Cogscil 6EL3 – Experimental Lab in Cognitive Science of Language
• Cogscil 6G03- Language, Sex and Gender
• Cogscil 6LC3 – Advanced Morphology and Syntax
• Cogscil 713 –  Reading Course (Cognitive Science)
• Cogscil 721 – Fundamentals of the Cognitive Neuroscience of Language
• Cogscil 726B– The Cognitive Science of Language M.Sc. Lecture Series
• Cogscil 730 – Language Analysis Methods: Phonology and Morphology

Course outlines 2023-2024

• Cogscil 6LB3 – Advanced Phonetics and Phonology
• Cogscil 722 – Contemporary Issues in the Cognitive Neuroscience of Language
• Cogscil 726A – The Cognitive Science of Language Ph.D. Lecture Series

Winter 2024

• Cogscil 6NN3 – Cognitive Neurolinguistics Lab
• Cogscil 726B– The Cognitive Science of Language Ph.D. Lecture Series
• Cogscil 731 – Language Analysis Methods: Syntax and Semantics
• Cogscil 734 – Issues in Syntax

Course outlines 2022-2023

Winter 2023

• Cogscil 6AS3 – Topics in Advanced Semantics
• Cogscil 726B – The Cognitive Science of Language Ph.D. Lecture Series

Domestic MSc students usually receive a funding package consisting of a teaching assistantship and scholarship. The total value of the funding package ranges from $16,000 to $19,000 per year.

Currently all domestic PhD students receive a funding package of $23,500 per year, usually including a teaching assistantship of 260 hours plus a scholarship.

McMaster Graduate Studies Scholarship Information

The School of Graduate Studies provides funding to our graduate students so they can devote their time and energy to the successful completion of their studies.

External Graduate Scholarships

All eligible students are also strongly encouraged to apply for external scholarships such as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship and Canada Graduate Scholarships.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship

Note that applications must be submitted directly to the institution(s) where you plan to pursue graduate studies. The deadline is normally in the fall, before the application deadline for graduate school. 

Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s Program

Graduate Scholarship – As with OGS, applications for the Canada Graduate Scholarship must be submitted through an eligible institution. The deadline is usually December 1, before the application deadline for graduate school.

All applicants and current students will be considered for funding support from McMaster, including TAships.

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PAST MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS

Department life.

The Department of Linguistics & Languages welcomes scholars from around the world to participate in the Cognitive Science of Language Lecture Series. The lecture series is a forum where all are welcome to attend talks by established researchers on recent innovations and current trends in Language and Cognition.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Political Science

Graduate Programs

Welcome to graduate studies in political science.

Our department is the ideal place to complete master’s and doctoral work. We offer the range of specialized seminars needed for strong graduate-level training. We pride ourselves on being a collegial department where students and faculty can experience the type of intellectual interaction, supervision, and research collaboration that make graduate work exciting.

Our programs offer:

• A diversity of theoretical perspectives;
• A research-intensive environment, seen in our excellent record of ongoing externally funded research; and
• A commitment to rigorous training in research methods to provide graduate students with an opportunity to develop outstanding analytical and research skills that are invaluable in scholarly and applied contexts.

Graduate Programs in Political Sciences

Phd political science (political theory) learn more, phd political science (canadian politics) learn more, phd political science (comparative public policy) learn more, phd political science (comparative politics) learn more, phd political science (international relations) learn more, ma global politics learn more, ma political science learn more, graduate supervisors.

Find a graduate supervisor who specializes in your field of interest.

Questions about Graduate Studies in Political Science? Contact Us:

Associate Professor, Political Science Graduate Chair, Political Science Adjunct & Associate Member, Institute on Globalization & the Human Condition Associate Professor, Master of Public Policy in Digital Society

Areas of interest: Comparative politics, Digital technology, Electoral politics, Gender & politics, Politics of representation, Qualitative methods, Race and ethnicity, Social media

Manuela Dozzi

Administrative Assistant, Political Science

Areas of interest: