PhD in Classics

The Department offers the PhD in Classics, with programs in Classics (ancient history, philology, literary criticism) and in Classical Archaeology. Students holding the BA who wish to do doctoral level work in the Department may apply directly to the PhD program or may apply from the MA program.

The PhD requires thirty (30) semester hours of coursework beyond the MA, at least twelve (12) semester hours of which must be at the 6000 level. Each program requires a series of comprehensive examinations.

Requirements: Classics

The program in Classics requires:

  • reading list examinations in Greek and Latin;
  • demonstration of proficiency, by exam or through coursework, in Greek and Roman history;
  • detailed examinations in Greek and Latin literature;
  • a special author examination;
  • a special field or topic examination;
  • an examination in an interdisciplinary topic.
  • Doctoral students must complete and successfully defend a dissertation that makes an original contribution to scholarship.

Requirements: Classical Archaeology

The program in Classical archaeology requires:

  • a reading list examination in either Greek or Latin;
  • demonstration of proficiency, by exam or through coursework, in Greek and Roman history;
  • examination on a topic in Bronze Age or Greek archaeology;
  • examination on a topic in Etruscan or Roman archaeology;
  • a special field or topic examination; an examination in an interdisciplinary topic.
  • Doctoral students must complete and successfully defend a dissertation that makes an original contribution to scholarship.

Comprehensive and translation exams will ordinarily be given during one week of each term: in the fall term, it will be the second week in November; in the spring term, it will be the week following the spring break.

All Ph.D. students must demonstrate competency in German and either French or Italian. This requirement may be satisfied by completing 12 undergraduate credit hours at any institution with a grade of B or better in one of these languages, or by passing the appropriate Graduate Reading Knowledge exam administered by the Department of Modern Languages.