Welcome to the graduate section of the Department of Greek and Latin! We offer four graduate degree programs: the M.A. in Greek and Latin, M.A. in Greek, and M.A. in Latin; and the Ph.D. in Greek and Latin.

The strong foundations that we provide in the ancient languages — and their literatures, from Homer to the Middle Ages — form the background to all that we do. In our doctoral program there is a special focus on the late antique period and on postclassical Greek and Latin, and a requirement that Ph.D. dissertations focus on a late antique or medieval Latin topic. This is in contrast to the M.A. programs, whose emphases are centrally classical.

  • Greek and Latin (M.A.)

    The M.A. in Greek and Latin requires ten graduate-level courses divided between the two languages, along with comprehensive and modern language exams. This is the program that the department recommends for students who already know that they are planning professional careers in classics, whether in the university world, in archaeology, or in museum work; it provides the strongest preparation for a future Ph.D.

    Learn More
  • Greek (M.A.)

    The M.A. in Greek requires ten graduate-level courses, along with comprehensive and modern language exams. This is the program that the department recommends for students who plan to pursue future work in areas such as Byzantine studies or the history of eastern Christianity. Although the study of Latin is not required in this program, the department permits that it be incorporated if it pertains to a student's individual academic goals.

    Learn More
  • Latin (M.A.)

    The M.A. in Latin requires ten graduate-level courses, along with comprehensive and modern language exams. This is the M.A. program that the department recommends for students who plan to pursue teaching at the secondary level. Although the study of Greek is not required in this program, many students elect it nevertheless, and the department encourages this choice.

    Learn More
  • Greek and Latin (Ph.D.)

    The Ph.D. in Greek and Latin includes a total of 18 graduate-level courses. Students pursuing this doctorate first complete the M.A. in Greek and Latin (10 courses + exams) or substitute an approved M.A. in this field from another institution. For the Ph.D., they then take 8 further courses and complete a second modern language exam, a three-part doctoral comprehensive examination, and a dissertation.

    Learn More
  • Graduate and Certificate Handbook

    Our Graduate and Certificate Handbook gathers into one place most of the departmental information that our students will need throughout their careers at Catholic University.

    Learn More