Accelerated Master of Arts in Classics
The combined B.A. / M.A. degree allows high-achieving undergraduate majors in Classics with a concentration in Classical Languages at the University of Kansas to move directly into the Master's degree program in Classics, completing it within one year of completing the B.A.
Students take the same courses (and the same number of courses) as those required for the two degrees under the normal sequence, but in a more flexible configuration. As with the 2-year M.A, the principal focus remains ancient Greek and/or Latin (concluding with a comprehensive exam in both languages). Students are required to submit a thesis to complete their degree.
Admission to Graduate Studies
Admission Requirements
- All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Students normally apply for the program in the junior year, and not later than their seventh semester at KU. Admission standards depend not only on academic record but also on the demonstrated ability to continue with accelerated work, as determined by the department's admissions committee (to include the Chair, Director of Graduate Studies, and Undergraduate Director).
Application to the program requires:
- A brief statement of purpose
- A writing sample
- Three letters of recommendation (two of which must be from KU Classics faculty)
- One official transcript
- A 3.5 GPA in the major (slightly lower would be acceptable with especially strong letters of recommendation).
Candidacy will be reviewed in the seventh semester. If the committee decides at that time that the candidate is not suited to continue with the accelerated program, or if the student no longer wishes to pursue the MA, the student will be eligible to earn the BA as soon as those requirements have been met. Should the student not be able to complete the MA in the fifth year, provided they are in good standing, the student may continue into a sixth year.
Combined B.A./M.A. in Classics
This program option allows high-achieving undergraduate majors in Classics with a concentration in Classical Languages at the University of Kansas to move directly into the Master's degree in Classics, completing it within one year of completing the B.A. Students take the same courses (and the same number of courses) as those required for the two degrees under the normal sequence, but in a more flexible configuration.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students choose from graduate level courses in CLSX, GRK, and LAT in consultation with their faculty advisor | 18 | |
| The Age of Heroes: Early Greece | ||
| Rise of Athens and Sparta | ||
| Roman Republic | ||
| Early Roman Empire | ||
| Late Roman Empire (284-527) | ||
| Love, Lust, and Laughter in Ancient Literature | ||
| Gender and Sexuality in Greek Culture | ||
| Gender and Sexuality in Roman Culture | ||
| Aegean Archaeology and Art | ||
| Greek Archaeology and Art | ||
| Roman Archaeology and Art | ||
| Archaeology and Art of Ancient Egypt and the Near East | ||
| Pompeii and Herculaneum | ||
| Study Abroad Topics in Greek and Roman Culture: _____ | ||
| Topics in: _____ | ||
| Topics in the Archaeology and Art of the Ancient Mediterranean: _____ | ||
| Graduate Reading in Greek | ||
| Graduate Seminar in Greek Prose | ||
| Graduate Seminar in Greek Verse | ||
| Topics in Greek: _____ | ||
| Independent Study in: _____ | ||
| Graduate Reading in Latin | ||
| Graduate Seminar in Latin Prose | ||
| Graduate Seminar in Latin Verse | ||
| Topics in Latin: _____ | ||
| Independent Study in: _____ | ||
| Master's Thesis | 6 | |
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Total Hours | 24 | |
In summary, students will successfully complete the M.A. in Classics from the University of Kansas if the following credit hour conditions are both met:
- A minimum of 24 hours at the 500+ level taken as a graduate student, at least 50% of which must be at the 700 level or above.
- A minimum of 6 hours at the 500+ level taken as an undergraduate student beyond what is required of the Classics undergraduate major
Students may be eligible for undergraduate and graduate co-enrollment in their final semester of undergraduate study. This should be discussed and planned during the junior year of undergraduate study.
The requirement that students in the program write an undergraduate honors thesis also provides preparation toward the M.A. thesis.
Degree Completion
Final Translation Examination
All students must write a final translation examination prepared by a committee, selected by the student, of three members of the graduate faculty; the committee chair and at least one other member must be from the Classics Department. The examination will be prepared by the committee in consultation with the student.
The student will present a reading list of no less than 300 pages, according to pagination in the Oxford Classical Text or its equivalent. Students are encouraged to draw from course readings to create their examination reading list. This list will consist of 25-150 pages from at least three of the following four categories:
- Greek Prose
- Greek Verse
- Latin Prose
- Latin Verse
Unsuccessful exams may be re-taken once, in whole or in part, as determined by the student's committee in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies. Under certain circumstances, a student may be allowed to retake one portion of the exam a second time.
Thesis
Students select a thesis committee of three members of the graduate faculty; the committee chair and at least one other member must be from the Classics Department. Students typically choose a chair for their thesis at the beginning of the summer between the B.A. & M.A., and begin research at the beginning of fall. The thesis advisor will develop a schedule of writing to ensure timely completion. Students are expected to file their approved thesis in the spring of their second semester.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CLSX course 500+ | 3 | CLSX course 500+ | 3 |
| LAT course 700+ | 3 | LAT course 700+ | 3 |
| GRK course 700+ | 3 | GRK course 700+ | 3 |
| LAT 899 or GRK 899 | 3 | LAT 899 or GRK 899 | 3 |
| 12 | 12 | ||
| Total Hours 24 | |||
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Engage closely with and analyze primary sources (whether text or artifact) from Greek and Roman antiquity.
- Integrate, quote, and cite primary sources (whether text or artifact).
- Integrate, quote, and cite secondary sources.
- Understand the significance of ancient texts, artifacts, and ideas in terms of their ancient cultural and social contexts and/or their later reception.
- Learn and apply important methodologies from Classics.
- Demonstrate proficiency in reading and translating ancient Greek and Latin texts.
- Communicate knowledge of the field in writing.
- Communicate knowledge of the field to other members of the field through oral presentation.
- Develop a broad understanding of the field that includes History, Material Culture, and Reception in addition to the core language seminars.
- Acquire, improve, and reflect upon skills in classics pedagogy.