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
An applicant seeking to pursue graduate study in the College may be admitted as either a degree-seeking or non-degree seeking student. Policies and procedures of Graduate Studies govern the process of Graduate admission. These may be found in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.
Please consult the Departments & Programs section of the online catalog for information regarding program-specific admissions criteria and requirements. Special admissions requirements pertain to Interdisciplinary Studies degrees, which may be found in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.
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 not required but is necessary if the applicant wishes to be considered for university-level scholarships.
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
- The degree program consists of 30 hours, whether one chooses the thesis or non-thesis option.
- 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 philosophy, history, history of art, and linguistics. A maximum of 12 hours may be taken in non-language courses.
- Students who elect to write an M.A. thesis must complete at least 24 hours on the graduate level, in addition to 6 hours of Thesis (LAT 899 or GRK 899 or CLSX 899). In consultation with the graduate advisor, each student selects a thesis committee of 3 members.
- The student selecting the non-thesis option must complete 30 hours of courses on the graduate level. In 2 of these courses, students must prepare research papers that meet the approval of the appropriate instructors and the graduate advisor. These papers are placed on file in the department office.
Language Requirements
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.
Examinations
A written general examination is required of all M.A. students. For further information, see the Department of Classics Graduate Handbook.
