The BA/MA program is designed to allow undergraduates concentrating in Ancient Greek, Latin, or both to achieve advanced skills in language and critical methods by satisfying, in addition to undergraduate requirements, all requirements for the MA in Classics. The program prepares students either for the teaching of Latin or ancient Greek language, literature, and culture at the secondary level; or, if both ancient languages are studied, for the pursuit of a PhD in classics; or for advanced study in related humanistic fields.
For information on application and admission consult the Boston University College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences admissions website.
Requirements
To fulfill the BA requirements, students must choose one of the following eligible undergraduate majors:
- Ancient Greek (1120)
- Latin (1119)
- Ancient Greek and Latin (1121)
On the MA level, students concentrate in Classical Studies (1504), which has a minimum requirement of eight courses (32 credits):
- CAS CL 530 or CAS CL 563
- seven additional courses at or above the 500 level offered within the Department of Classical Studies or related departments.
Students typically major in either Latin or Greek. One course in Greek or Roman art or classical archaeology and one course in ancient history are recommended. Students who wish to take more than two related courses must receive department approval.
Students must satisfy an area requirement in either Greek or Roman history. This may be fulfilled in the following ways:
- taking one graduate-level course in Greek or Roman history
- taking an undergraduate history course as a graduate directed study (2 credits)
- receiving a grade of Pass on an exam set by two evaluators appointed by the Director of Graduate Studies
Master’s students are also required to demonstrate, by written examination, proficiency in the following:
- the translation of passages from either Greek or Latin
- the history of either Greek or Latin literature
- German or French (with consent of the department, another language may be substituted)
Requirements for both the BA and MA can be completed with a minimum of 36 courses and a maximum of 40 courses. Graduate classes can be utilized to meet the CAS graduation requirement of a minimum of 32 courses. Advanced placement and/or prior fulfillment of college requirements on the undergraduate level may result in the completion of the BA/MA requirements in fewer than 40 courses. The usual completion time is five years. Approved course overloads, summer study, advanced placement, and/or exemption from college requirements may allow students to complete the program in less than five years. Please refer to the BA/MA Guidelines on the College of Arts and Sciences Web site. Students interested in enrolling in the BA/MA program should contact the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Classical Studies.