Application

Masters

Students contemplating studying for a Masters degree should count on spending at least a full year to complete their courses and thesis. It typically takes two full years.

Eighteen credit hours in Classics at the graduate level are required, among which are normally at least 6 credit hours in Latin and 6 credit hours in Ancient Greek. The supervisor or graduate coordinator may suggest auditing additional courses, especially in ancient and/or modern languages.

It may be possible to substitute a reading and research course for a seminar. Students are expected to attend graduate seminars related to their thesis throughout their period of full-time study. A thesis, usually between 100 and 150 pages, is required.

 

PhD

All students are expected to have a broad understanding of all aspects of Classical culture. Within the general area of Hellenic-Hellenistic Studies, each student is expected to concentrate, with the guidance of a supervising committee, in one of three fields: History, Literature, and Philosophy.

The supervisory committee will oversee the student’s progress through all stages of the program. Upon acceptance in the PhD program, students will work with the potential doctoral supervisor and graduate coordinator to form a supervisory committee. The committee will consist of the supervisor and two or three additional faculty members. Membership must conform with FGS regulations. The current graduate coordinator will act as an advisor to the supervisory committee.

The minimum residence requirement for such students is two years, during which time they must satisfy the general requirements of the Faculty and, in addition, must demonstrate competence in the languages (ancient and modern) necessary for research in their particular fields of study.

PhD students will take coursework as determined appropriate preparation by the supervising committee in consultation with the Departmental Guidelines for Doctoral Study. The required coursework is normally around 24 credit hours in Classics at the graduate level, among which at least 6 credit hours in Latin and 6 credit hours in Ancient Greek are recommended.  The supervising committee may advise auditing additional courses, especially in ancient and/or modern languages.

Before advancing to the thesis, the student must pass a comprehensive examination course (PHDP 8000)  the content and form of which will be determined by the committee in consultation with the Departmental Guidelines for Doctoral Study. Typically, this will include written and/or oral examination of the students’ preparation in ancient languages and special field(s) of study. This will normally be taken towards the end of the second or beginning of the third year of study.

PhD students are required to submit and defend a doctoral dissertation in accordance with FGS regulations. It is highly recommended that PhD students submit and defend a dissertation prospectus within a year of successfully completing the comprehensive examination course (PHDP 8000), as advised in the Departmental Guidelines for Doctoral Study.

PhD students should consult the Department's Graduate Studies Handbook, the Graduate Calendar, and obtain a copy of the Departmental Guidelines for Doctoral Study for further information.