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.

M.A. Degree Requirements

Course Requirements

1. The degree program consists of 30 hours, whether one chooses the thesis or coursework option.
   1. At least 50% of coursework must be taken at the 700 level or above. 
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. The student selecting the coursework 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.

Elective courses should be chosen in consultation with a student's faculty advisor. More information on our course offerings can be found on the department's website. 

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) 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 and/or Roman history may take a diagnostic exam in whichever area(s) they are deficient. Alternatively, students 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.

(b) All students must write a final translation examination prepared by a committee of three members of the graduate faculty, at least two of whom, including the committee chair, must be members of the Classics Department. The members of the examination committee will be selected by the student, with the approval of the graduate faculty of the Department, and the examination will be prepared by the committee in consultation with the student.

One portion of this examination will be drawn from material read in graduate classes and/or as selected by the candidate. The student will present a reading list of no less than 300 pages, according to pagination in the Oxford Classical Text or its equivalent. This list will consist of 25-150 pages from at least three of the following four categories:

1. Greek Prose
2. Greek Verse
3. Latin Prose
4. 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 either in the week before classes begin, or in approximately the tenth week, 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.