A four-year bachelor's degree from a recognized university. Normally this will include at least a major in philosophy, although the program is also open to students who may not have had a substantial number of philosophy undergraduate courses but who provide evidence of philosophical ability. In all cases, in order to be considered for admission to the MA program, the department requires that the average grade over the last 10.00 credits of studies (i.e., a normal two years of full-time studies on the University of Guelph system) be at least 75%. All applicants are required to submit a sample of writing. Further details can be found on the Philosophy Department website.

Students enrol in one of two study options: 1) course work and major research paper, or 2) thesis.

Regardless of the option chosen, the MA in Philosophy at Guelph is a research degree, in which the responsibility for study begins to shift from the faculty to the student. Students in both streams are expected to develop their own topic for research.