Graduate Programs: MA in Classical Archaeology

Classical Archaeology PhD Requirements | Classical Archaeology Advising and Reviews | Appeals Procedures

Goals of the Program.

Study leading through the M.A. to the Ph.D. in Classical Archaeology is intended to ensure that students are fully competent in Greek and Latin and have a good understanding of historical method, as well as a thorough training, including experience in fieldwork, in Greek and Roman archaeology. Degree recipients should be qualified either for a major museum post, or for university teaching up to senior undergraduate level in the ancient languages and in ancient history, and at all levels including graduate instruction in large areas of ancient archaeology and art history.

M.A. in Classical Archaeology: Requirements

Prerequisites.

An undergraduate major in Classical Languages or its equivalent is pre-requisite to the M.A.; if an actual Classics B.A. is not in hand, then the equivalent amount of Greek and Latin must have been read. At the time of entrance into the program, strength in one ancient language may be allowed to compensate for some deficiency in the other.

Requirements for the M.A.

The M.A. in Classical Archaeology is offered under Plan I (20 units of coursework and a thesis).

Course requirements. 20 semester units of upper-division coursework (courses numbered 100 or above) or graduate research seminars (courses numbered in the 200's). Of these 20 units at least 8 units must be in graduate research seminars (in Classics, 200-level courses with the exception of 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 245, 250, 260). Although there are no specific courses required for the M.A., courses should be taken with an eye to ultimately using them to meet more specific course requirements of the Ph.D. program (for which, see below).

Master's Thesis requirement. A short dissertation of around 100-150 pages on a topic in Classical Archaeology must be approved by the student's Advisory Committee (for which, see p. 22 below); the thesis committee, however, may include faculty members outside the Advisory Committee. The topic should be selected in consultation with the Advisory Committee no later than the start of the second year of study.

Modern Language Examination requirement. A student must pass a reading examination in German and either French or Italian. It is a one-hour-fifteen-minute exam of 300 words without a dictionary or 500 words with a dictionary; the passage will be subject matter relevant to Classical Archaeology. The exam is set and graded by the student's Advisory Committee.

Progress toward the degree.

Students should normally take two years to reach the M.A. and will be expected during that time to continue to develop their knowledge of Greek and Latin besides studying archaeology, art history and ancient history.

Advancement to the Ph.D. Program.

Applicants are normally admitted to the M.A. program with the expectation that they will proceed to the Ph.D. in due course; however, permission to proceed into the Ph.D. program is not automatically given. Shortly before or upon completion of the M.A., the student will be reviewed by a committee composed of the faculty in Classical Archaeology, the Graduate Advisor in Classics, and the student's Personal Advisor (who may be one of the aforementioned). The student's course work, written evaluations by instructors, and general promise will be evaluated. Admittance into the Ph.D. program is automatic upon unanimous recommendation of this committee. Should the committee be split or deny admission to the Ph.D. program, and the student wish to appeal its decision, he/she should follow the appeal procedures outlined in the Appeals Procedure document.

Classical Archaeology PhD Requirements | Classical Archaeology Advising and Reviews | Appeals Procedures