Master of Arts in Classics
Why study classics?
Knowledge of ancient Greek and Roman culture is fundamental to understanding both history and the modern world. The Department of Classics offers advanced course work and research in the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome. Students study the classical languages (ancient Greek and Latin) and literatures, as well as the art and archaeology of the Greek and Roman worlds. A Master's degree serves as preparation for a doctorate in classics and related fields, such as ancient history and archaeology. The degree also offers valuable training for students pursuing teaching careers at the secondary level.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships
Financial support is available in the form of teaching assistantships in Latin, Greek, or courses on ancient Greek and Roman culture taught in translation. Contact the department for information.
Visit the Graduate Studies website for information about funding opportunities for graduate students at KU.
Financial Aid and Scholarships administers grants, loans, and need-based financial aid.
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.
Graduate Admission
The B.A. in classics or another field in the humanities is required. For admission to the graduate program, the entering student should have 15 junior/senior hours in Latin and/or Greek. Well-qualified candidates with fewer hours in ancient languages are considered for admission and may be offered positions as graduate teaching assistants in non-language courses. Financial support is available in the form of teaching assistantships in Latin, Greek, or courses on ancient Greek and Roman culture taught in translation. The Graduate Record Examination is no longer required but applicants are encourages to include scores if appropriate.
Application Materials
- A current resume or C.V. (suggested one page in length)
- Writing Sample (25 page maximum)
- Statement of Purpose
- Three letters of reference
- Official GRE scores (not required, but strongly recommended)
- Scanned copies of official transcripts with application. Official degree-conferred transcripts directly from the conferring institution will be required upon admission.
Submit your graduate application online.
Scholarships and Awards
The department offers several scholarships and awards. For information, please see our website or contact the department.
All graduate students who wish to be considered for KU scholarships and financial aid must complete applications with Financial Aid and Scholarships.
M.A. Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Greek/Latin courses requirement | 18 | |
| Students with a Classical Languages focus take 6 courses at the 700 level or above in GRK or LAT | ||
| Students with a Classical Art & Archaeology focus take 5 courses at the 700 level or above in GRK or LAT and one addition CLSX course 500 level or above from the list below | ||
| Archaic Poetry | ||
| Drama | ||
| Prose Authors | ||
| Philosophy | ||
| Readings in Classical Greek | ||
| Independent Study in: _____ | ||
| Hexameter Poetry | ||
| Lyric and Elegy Poetry | ||
| History, Oratory, Philosophy | ||
| Drama, Satire, and Novel | ||
| Readings in Classical Latin | ||
| Independent Study in: _____ | ||
| 2 courses at the 500 level or above in CLSX or from other depts as approved by DGS | 6 | |
| 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 | ||
| Capstone in Classics | ||
| Study Abroad Topics in Greek and Roman Culture: _____ | ||
| Topics in: _____ | ||
| Topics in the Archaeology and Art of the Ancient Mediterranean: _____ | ||
| Studies in: _____ | ||
| Completion Option | 6 | |
| Students select one of the following degree completion options for a total of 6 hours: | ||
| Master's Thesis (6 hours) | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| OR | ||
| Course work Only: Students select two additional courses at the 500 level or above from the list of courses above in which they prepare research papers that meet the approval of the appropriate instructors and their graduate advisor (6 hours total) | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
At least 50% of coursework must be taken at the 700 level or above.
- The student may stress either Latin or Greek or a combination of both. Students who take only one of the ancient languages at the graduate level must present at least 10 hours of elementary course work in the other; this requirement may also be satisfied by passing a departmental examination.
- Students may select their 30 hours from graduate courses in Greek, Latin, classics, and certain courses in related fields as approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. A maximum of 12 hours may be taken in non-language courses.
- In consultation with the graduate advisor, each student selects a thesis committee of 3 members.
- Elective courses should be chosen in consultation with a student's faculty advisor.
Language Requirement
Incoming graduate students take a diagnostic reading examination in Greek or Latin or both if they plan to take graduate-level courses in both languages. Students who take only one of the ancient languages at the graduate level must demonstrate a basic knowledge of the other. By the end of graduate study, the student must also demonstrate a reading knowledge of German, Italian, or French as specified in the Research Skills section of the Department of Classics Graduate Handbook.
Diagnostic Reading Exam
Upon the recommendation of the Admissions Committee, incoming graduate students may be required to complete a diagnostic reading examination in Greek and/or Latin. Students planning to take graduate-level courses in both languages may be tested in both languages. Students with no undergraduate preparation in Greek History/Culture, Roman History/Culture, or Greek/Roman Art and Archaeology will have the option of either completing appropriate coursework at the graduate or undergraduate level, or passing an examination prepared by a member of the Classics Department, to demonstrate competence in these areas.
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
The list must be approved by the candidate's chair and by the Director of Graduate Studies at least five weeks before the date scheduled for the examination. The first three sections of the exam will consist of material drawn from this list. On the fourth section, students will have a choice of one from two sight passages: one Greek and one Latin, taken from a list of standard authors as determined by the department. Students are allowed three hours to complete a written translation; there is no oral component.
The exam is normally taken in the second year of enrollment in the program and is administered in the week before classes begin of the fall and winter terms. 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.
Degree Completion Options:
Thesis
Students who elect to write an M.A. thesis shall 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 end of the second semester in the program, and begin research during the following summer. 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 fourth semester.
Course work/Research Papers
Students select two additional courses at the 500 level or above in which they prepare research papers that meet the approval of the appropriate instructors and their graduate advisor.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- 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.