Graduate Study and Careers
A student majoring in classics will be trained to understand the
nuances and subtleties of language, to read and think critically,
to analyze complex information, and to appreciate how events of
the past can still echo in the present. The field of classics is
interdisciplinary by its very nature, embracing literature, history,
art, religion, philosophy and archaeology. The experiences of our
recent graduates suggest that a degree in classics continues to
be solid preparation for a variety of careers. Some have gone on
to teach at the college or secondary levels, gain admission to
professional schools (in medicine, law, and public policy), or
enter the job market (as magazine editor, in a Washington think-tank,
or on "Sesame Street"). A degree in classics is also
a firm foundation for graduate study in a variety of fields, including
history, art history, archaeology, religion, linguistics, and philosophy.
Graduate Study in Classics
Students who are interested in graduate study in classics should
concentrate their efforts on mastering Greek and Latin. Most Ph.D.
programs require a MINIMUM of two years of language study in the
WEAKER language. More preparation is expected, of course, in the
stronger language. Additional courses in ancient history, ancient
art, archaeology, philosophy, and religion will also be helpful.
Reading knowledge of German, French, and/or Italian, while not
required for admission to most graduate programs, would enhance
your application. Most programs require students to prove their
reading proficiency in at least two of these modern languages before
the end of the second year of the program because they are essential
tools for undertaking any serious scholarship in classics. Researching
and writing an undergraduate thesis, while a useful introduction
to classical scholarship, is not a requirement for admission to
graduate programs (see further Thesis/Independent
Study Guidelines).
Some of our recent graduates have gone on to study at Oxford University,
Yale University, Ohio State University, and UCLA.
Majors who feel that their language preparation is inadequate
for admission to a Ph.D. program can choose to enroll in a post
baccalaureate program. Consult faculty in the department for more
information.
Majors who are interested in a teaching career in the public school
system can enroll in a masters program in classics or in teaching
classics. Consult faculty in the department for more information.
Majors interested in teaching should also consider licensure.
Teacher Licensure
Students interested in pursuing licensure in the fields of Latin
and classics can combine their course work in Latin and classics
with a minor in education. In some instances course work in the
major coincides with course work required for licensure; in other
cases, it does not. For specific course requirements for licensure
within the majors of Latin and classics, please consult your adviser
or the chair of the classics department. For information about
the requirements for the minor in education, please consult Teacher
Licensure in the Other Degree and Certificate Programs chapter
and Ms. Lawrence in the psychology and education department. Licensure
also requires a formal application as well as passing scores on
the Massachusetts Test of Educator Licensure (MTEL) in both the
literacy component and the subject matter component. Copies of
the test objectives for the MTEL are available in the classics
department and in the Department of Psychology and Education. Licensure
application information and materials are available in the Department
of Psychology and Education.
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