About Master’s Program,
Washington University in St. Louis offers a terminal Master of Arts in Classics (two years full-time study) and Doctor of Philosophy in Classics (six years full-time study). Graduate students benefit from a strong faculty in Classics and related fields both in the Department of Classics and beyond, an institutional openness to interdisciplinary study, resources including significant collections of ancient coins and papyri, and opportunities for a wide range of experiences in both research and teaching.
It is hoped that students in the graduate programs will find their work and the achievement of a graduate degree exciting and fulfilling in their own right, even as they prepare for life after graduation. The department supports students’ exploration of both academic and nonacademic careers and strives to make the rigorous MA and PhD programs meaningful preparation for a variety of professional paths. There are many opportunities to discuss career paths from the very first years of the program, both in and out of the classroom. MA and PhD students may also practice presentation of their research, meet professionals from outside the department, and explore career-planning resources offered at Washington University and beyond.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
The Department of Classics at Washington University in St. Louis invites applications to its PhD program from individuals with a strong undergraduate foundation in Latin and Greek and a proven aptitude for research and teaching in Classics. The PhD degree requires completion of coursework, exams, a master’s thesis, and a PhD dissertation. Students may pursue their own areas of special interest or choose from one of four specialized tracks in ancient history, music, performance, or philosophy. To learn more about the Doctor of Philosophy in Classics requirements, please select the link below to the Department of Classics Graduate Student Handbook.
Department of Classics Graduate Student Handbook
Students in the MA program work toward increased language proficiency, a deeper knowledge of Greek and Roman culture, literature, and history, and research experience. They are mentored by faculty with diverse specialties within the field and have opportunities to take courses in affiliated fields such as Comparative Literature, Philosophy, and Art History & Archaeology. Finally, they gain valuable teaching experience through mentored teaching experiences. To learn more about the Master of Arts in Classics requirements, please select the link below to the Department of Classics Graduate Student Handbook.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
PhD Student Funding
PhD students receive full tuition remission plus a University Fellowship (UF) from the Office of Graduate Studies in Arts & Sciences, guaranteed for six years at the time of admission as long as the student makes satisfactory academic progress. The Office of Graduate Studies in Arts & Sciences also typically awards an additional summer stipend to each student, to be used to help the student with academic travel or living expenses.
MA Student Funding
M.A. students in Classics at Washington University in St. Louis receive the following support for up to two years, contingent on maintaining full-time enrollment and making satisfactory academic progress in accordance with degree program requirements: • 100% full tuition scholarship • $10,000 annual stipend • 90% health fee subsidy (includes health, dental and wellness fees) In addition, our students have opportunities to assist in teaching, research and/or departmental administration, for which they can earn up to $10,200 per academic year and an additional $2500 during the summer after their first year of study. Funds for M.A. students are provided from various sources, including the Penelope Biggs Fellowship, the Cordelia M. Birch Fund, and the Irma C. Schopp Fund.
Application Requirement,
- Application: The completed application form.
- Language Background: Please be sure to include your years of Greek and Latin study,in addition to any other languages you have studied, in the section on language preparation. The Classics Admissions Committee looks for MA applicants to have the equivalent of (minimum) two years each of college-level Greek and Latin. PhD applicants with (minimum) three years in each language will have an advantage.
- Transcripts: For the purposes of initial review of applications, the Classics Admissions Committee accepts unofficial transcripts (inclusive of all undergraduate and postgraduate coursework) be uploaded to the application system. If transcripts do not reflect all your work during the year of application, please be sure to indicate elsewhere on the application what your remaining coursework entails. Official Transcripts will only be required if you are admitted to our program and accept the offer, at which point you should have them sent to Washington University (instructions on the OGS website).
- NB: The university requires all transscripts to be in English.
- Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation from current or past instructors acquainted with your accomplishments to date. These are extremely important for the Classics Admissions Committee; aim to assemble a combination of recommenders who can, between them, describe your work in both ancient languages and in research in Classics or a related field.
- Personal Statement: A personal statement expressing your goals in seeking a graduate degree in Classics, describing the background that qualifies you to do so and the particular advantages you see in the program at Washington University. Reference to specific faculty members can help, but is not essential. The Admissions Committee is interested in applicants who (besides looking like a good fit for our program) show an understanding of what is entailed in graduate work and an ability to articulate their goals. We therefore recommend that you seek advice from instructors on crafting the personal statement.
- Writing Sample: A scholarly writing sample of ca. 15 pages, representing your work on a topic in Classics or a related field. The ideal submission makes use of both secondary sources and ancient text(s) in the original. If you do not have a single piece of writing that meets all these criteria, you may submit two shorter papers that meet individual criteria. Longer writing samples are acceptable, but applicants are also welcome to supply excerpts from longer works such as theses.
- English Competency: For applicants whose native language is not English, the university requires test scores for one of their authorized tests (TOEFL, IELTS, or GATEWAY) scores. These scores must be no older than two years, and must arrive by the application deadline. See the OGS Admissions page (under “Test Scores”) for minimum scores. Waivers for applicants who have earned degrees at English-speaking institutions may be requested through the Director of Graduate Studies in advance of the deadline.
- GRE: Please note that the application no longer requires Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores for the Department of Classics.
- Application fee ($45): Applicants who wish to request a fee waiver should contact the Office of Graduate Studies at artscigrads@wustl.edufor information. The Department of Classics cannot grant fee waivers.
Application Deadline,
Jan 15, 2025
Application Fee,
Application fee $45
