Philosophy
| Degree Awarded: | Bachelor of Arts (Honours) |
| Administered by: | Department of Philosophy |
| Program Format: | Full-time, four-year program. Full-time, five-year co-op program. |
O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses, including Grade 12 U English.
Notes:- ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
- A grade of 70 percent or higher will be required in Grade 12 U English.
- Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.
Spanning much of the period of recorded culture, courses in this program offer students a well-rounded understanding of philosophy's central debates. The program focuses on the history of philosophical ideas and develops students' critical argumentation skills. It also provides students with the chance to examine the practical applications of philosophical theories and methods.
By studying the great ideas of the past and present, along with their applications to the real world, students in this unique program acquire the analytical skills that will help prepare them for exciting careers in the future.
The core goals of the program are to:
- Develop students' analytical reasoning skills;
- Develop students' understanding of the broad intellectual contours and social relevance of our shared philosophical heritage;
- Develop oral and written and communication skills;
- Develop a sophisticated understanding of how philosophical theories and methods are applicable to contemporary political and social issues
Career Opportunities
The critical thinking, oral and written communication skills, and analytical reasoning competencies that students of philosophy amass during their studies make them ideal candidates for a variety of positions in a diverse range of fields. They go on to pursue opportunities with employers in the public, private and nonprofit sectors that value critical analysis and problem-solving skills. They can also choose to further their studies by pursuing a Master of Arts in Philosophy, a two-year program that offers a thesis stream and a major research paper stream. Popular choices for further studies among philosophy graduates include law school and teachers college.
Curriculum Information
The discipline of Philosophy draws on the theories, methods, and practices of a broad range of humanities and social sciences. Therefore, the Philosophy program builds on a common first-year platform shared with other programs in the Faculty of Arts, with specialization in Philosophy occurring in years two through four of the degree.
Semesters One and Two: In the first year, which is shared with the programs in Criminology, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Language and Intercultural Relations, Politics and Governance, Psychology, and Sociology, students take their first two university-level Philosophy courses from a number of options that explore the subject across a range of themes, time periods, and geographical contexts. In addition to taking further electives in a broad range of areas, students will also acquire skills and knowledge in two foundational courses: Academic Writing and Research and Critical Thinking.
Semesters Three through Six: In second year, students take their third foundational course, Research Design and Qualitative Methods, as well as two required historical philosophy courses: Ancient Greek Philosophy and Early Modern Philosophy. Students have the opportunity to choose between Introduction to Ethics or Introduction to Political Philosophy, and take one course from each of the three core elective groups. A wide variety of other Philosophy electives are on offer, as well as electives from outside the discipline.
Semesters Seven and Eight: In the last year of the program, as students consider the opportunities they will pursue after graduation, they solidify their philosophical expertise and sharpen their professional competence by taking a number of senior seminars of their choice. Other Philosophy and non- Philosophy electives are also taken to complete the 40 courses of the degree (of which 20 are in Philosophy).
Transferability Guidelines
Students admitted to the Bachelor of Arts programs in Criminology, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Language and Intercultural Relations, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology or Sociology may transfer to any one of the other nine programs or to any one of the approved double major programs for the Fall term of their second year of studies. Applications are provided via Google Form and must be submitted by February 2nd. Transfer applications are considered on a competitive basis subject to program capacity, and therefore, program choice cannot be guaranteed.
In order to transfer to Philosophy from any of Criminology, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, Language and Intercultural Relations, Politics and Governance, Psychology, or Sociology, students must:
Co-operative Program Overview
The Philosophy Program is part of the Faculty of Arts Co-operative Education program. This program provides students with the opportunity to integrate three career-relevant paid employment experiences in various terms throughout their program of study. Students must also complete an academic course prior to their first work term, which will provide a foundational understanding of the labour market context, while also facilitating skill development related to job searching and successful employment.
Applications for this program are submitted in the winter term of a student’s first year. Visit the Career and Co-op website to learn more.
Liberal Studies
Students must take two lower level liberal studies courses and four upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.
Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .
Table A - Lower Level Restrictions
Philosophy courses are not available for credit.
Table B - Upper Level Restrictions
Philosophy courses are not available for credit.
Minors
Students may pursue any Minor offered by Toronto Met (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.
The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates
Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window) for complete details.
1st & 2nd Semester
REQUIRED GROUP 1: One course from the following:
- PHL 101 Plato and the Roots of Western Philosophy
- PHL 110 Philosophy of Religion I
- PHL 187 Classical Philosophy
- PHL 201 Problems in Philosophy
- PHL 212 Introductory Logic
- PHL 306 Freedom, Equality, Limits of Authority
- PHL 333 Philosophy of Human Nature
- PHL 365 Philosophy of Beauty
- PHL 366 Existentialism and Art and Culture
- PHL 406 Issues of Life, Death and Poverty
REQUIRED GROUP 2: Four courses from Table I.
OPEN ELECTIVES: Two Open Electives.
3rd & 4th Semester
Revised curriculum begins 2024-2025 for students admitted Fall 2023 and after.
CORE ELECTIVES: Three courses from Table II.
CORE ELECTIVES/OPEN ELECTIVE: One course from Table I* or one Open Elective.
LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.
*Students in the Co-op Program should take SSH104 (Table I) to fulfill this requirement.
5th & 6th Semester
Last offered 2024-2025 to students admitted Fall 2022 (or Winter 2023). Students admitted Fall 2023 and after see revised curriculum below.
CORE ELECTIVE: Five courses from Table II.
OPEN ELECTIVE: Two Open Electives.
LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
5th & 6th Semester
Revised curriculum begins 2025-2026 for students admitted Fall 2023 and after.
CORE ELECTIVE: Three courses from Table II.
OPEN ELECTIVE: Two Open Electives.
LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
7th & 8th Semester
Last offered 2025-2026 to students admitted Fall 2022 (or Winter 2023). Students admitted Fall 2023 and after see revised curriculum below.
CORE ELECTIVE: Four courses from Table II.
OPEN ELECTIVE: Two Open Electives.
LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
7th & 8th Semester
Revised curriculum begins 2026-2027 for students admitted Fall 2023 and after.
CORE ELECTIVE: Six courses from Table II.
OPEN ELECTIVE: Two Open Electives.
LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
1st & 2nd Semester
REQUIRED GROUP 1: One course from the following:
- PHL 101 Plato and the Roots of Western Philosophy
- PHL 110 Philosophy of Religion I
- PHL 187 Classical Philosophy
- PHL 201 Problems in Philosophy
- PHL 212 Introductory Logic
- PHL 306 Freedom, Equality, Limits of Authority
- PHL 333 Philosophy of Human Nature
- PHL 365 Philosophy of Beauty
- PHL 366 Existentialism and Art and Culture
- PHL 406 Issues of Life, Death and Poverty
REQUIRED GROUP 2: Four courses from Table I.
OPEN ELECTIVES: Two Open Electives.
3rd & 4th Semester
3rd Semester
Begins Fall 2024 for students admitted Fall 2023 and after.
CORE ELECTIVES/OPEN ELECTIVE: One course from Table I* or one Open Elective.
LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.
*Students in the Co-op Program should take SSH104 (Table I) to fulfill this requirement.
4th Semester
Last offered Winter 2025 to students admitted Fall 2022 (or Winter 2023). Students admitted Fall 2023 and after see revised 4th Semester below.
REQUIRED:
- PHL 503 Ancient and Modern Ethics
CORE ELECTIVE: Three courses from Table II.
LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.
4th Semester
Begins Winter 2026 for students admitted Fall 2023 and after.
REQUIRED:
- PHL 403 Early Modern Philosophy
CORE ELECTIVE: Three courses from Table II.
LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.
5th & 6th Semester
Last offered 2025-2026 to students admitted Fall 2022 (or Winter 2023). Students admitted Fall 2023 and after see revised curriculum below.
CORE ELECTIVE: Five courses from Table II.
OPEN ELECTIVE: Two Open Electives.
LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
5th & 6th Semester
Revised curriculum begins 2026-2027 for students admitted Fall 2023 and after.
CORE ELECTIVE: Three courses from Table II.
OPEN ELECTIVE: Two Open Electives.
LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
7th & 8th Semester
Last offered 2026-2027 to students admitted Fall 2022 (or Winter 2023). Students admitted Fall 2023 and after see revised curriculum below.
CORE ELECTIVE: Four courses from Table II.
OPEN ELECTIVE: Two Open Electives.
LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
7th & 8th Semester
Revised curriculum begins 2027-2028 for students admitted Fall 2023 and after.
CORE ELECTIVE: Six courses from Table II.
OPEN ELECTIVE: Two Open Electives.
LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
The sequencing of academic and work terms is shown below:
Students must successfully complete a minimum of three work terms in order to graduate from the co-op program.
In most cases the co-op program requires five years to complete the degree in Philosophy. Students will have the option to fast track if they choose to take electives during the Spring/Summer. The regular program can be completed in four years.
All co-op placements must be approved by the Career & Co-op Centre and the Faculty Advisor for the Philosophy co-op program.
A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).
Dwayne Ford
Admissions & Liaison Officer
Toronto Metropolitan University
Joseph Longo
Secondary School Teacher, Toronto
Anthony Miller
Analyst
Innovation and Policy Services Branch Canada
School of Public Service/Government of Canada