Degree Requirements
Master of Arts
Course requirements are 33 semester hours of coursework. For students in the language and literature program this may, and for students who concentrate in archaeology it typically does, include the report course, a one semester course of supervised research. No more than nine hours of upper-division coursework may be included in the program. The program of coursework is planned individually by the student in consultation with the graduate adviser. At least 18 semester hours must be in Greek, Latin, or both. At least six semester hours of supporting work is required, either in classics or in related fields such as anthropology, art history, comparative literature, geography, history, linguistics, and philosophy. The master’s degree student has no formal qualifying examinations before beginning the report as such, but the program requires the completion of certain PhD qualifying exams during the period of work on the Master's.
Doctor of Philosophy
Admission to the doctoral program is subject to the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee and normally requires a Master of Arts degree with a major in classics or a closely related field. The department awards the PhD in classics, and all students must demonstrate competence in both Greek and Latin. Students with a special interest in classical archaeology or ancient philosophy may pursue a concentration in either area.
Course requirements. Students who concentrate in language and literature must complete one seminar in each of the following categories: Latin, Greek, prose literature, verse literature, material culture, as well as two historical courses and one upper division or graduate course offered outside the department. A broad and changing menu of seminars provides training in many areas of study and methods of research. Students who concentrate in classical archaeology or ancient philosophy have special course requirements, which are described on the department’s website.
Examination requirements. To be admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree, students must pass the following written examinations: translation in Greek; translation in Latin; ancient history; separate exams on Greek and Latin literature followed by an oral examination covering both; translation in German; and translation in a second modern language. A timetable with the recommended schedule for completion of the PhD requirements is available on the department's website.
Students who concentrate in ancient philosophy must pass an examination in ancient philosophy and take additional coursework in Philosophy.
Students who concentrate in classical archaeology must pass the following written examinations: translation in Greek or in Latin; Greek archaeology; Roman archaeology; ancient history; translation in German; and translation in a second modern language.
Other requirements. Students concentrating in language and literature or in classical archaeology must also submit a portfolio of research papers. For the precise requirements (which vary between the two programs), see the department's website.