THE M.A. IN CLASSICS  is the only masters program at Illinois that leads to the Ph.D. in Classics. If you wish to attain the Ph.D. in Classical Philology and you do not already possess a comparable masters degree, then apply for this degree program. Students who already possess an M.A. in Classics should apply directly to the doctoral program.

Admission Requirements

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Twenty-four hours of Greek and Latin in regular courses, including GRK 411 and LAT 411, with at least eight hours in each language and at least twelve hours at the 500 level.
2. CLCV 550 and four hours of an appropriate elective. Students who wish to do so may satisfy this requirement by writing a Master’s thesis; they should enroll in Greek/Latin 599 (Thesis Research). MA theses typically fall between 15,000-24,000 words. Only in exceptional cases will a thesis under the minimum be awarded credit. It is, however, permitted to exceed the maximum.
3. Passing exams in the translation of Greek and Latin (for terminal MA students, these are MA-level exams; for those intending to continue to the PhD, passing the Qualifying Translation Exams fulfills this requirement).
4. (Only for those students intending to continue to the Ph.D.) Reading knowledge of one of two ancillary languages: (a) German; and (b) French or Italian. Knowledge of one of these must be demonstrated at the time of admission to Stage II and the second by the end of the second year at Stage II.