Graduate Degrees and Requirements

Introduction

1. Degrees Offered
   The Department of Classics offers the following graduate degrees:
   • Master of Arts in Classics, with concentration in Greek, Latin, Classical Art and Archaeology, Classical Antiquity, or the Teaching of Latin (M.A.T.)
   • Doctor of Philosophy in Classics
     
     
2. Entrance Requirements
   

   A Baccalaureate Degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (=B) is required for admission to the M.A. program.

   A Master's Degree (or its equivalent) in Classics or a related field from an accredited university is required for admission to the Ph.D. program.   Students who have obtained an M.A. from this Department and wish to proceed toward the Ph.D. must re-apply for admission to the Ph.D. program.
   
   
3. Residence Requirements
   At least two semesters or three summer sessions in residence are required for the M.A.   At least six semesters in residence beyond the attainment of a Baccalaureate Degree are required for the Ph.D., though two semesters of residence credit may be allowed for a Master's Degree from another institution.
   
   
4. Transfer of Credit
   Up to 9 semester hours of credit toward the M.A. may be transferred from another institution or from the University of Colorado's ACCESS program; under certain circumstances, students having obtained a Baccalaureate Degree from this University may transfer up to 9 hours of residence credit at the 5000-level toward the M.A.   No more than 21 semester hours of coursework from another institution may be transferred toward the Ph.D. Credit will not be transferred until the student has established a satisfactory record of at least one semester of graduate study in residence.
   
   
5. Graduate Proseminar
   All incoming graduate students in Classics are required to take a one-semester non-credit proseminar in the fall semester of their first year. This proseminar meets once a week and is organized by the Graduate Administrative Assistant and the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies. Each faculty member who is present that semester holds one meeting; topics to be covered will include various aspects of the field and of the profession, as well as particular research skills.

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Program Requirements

1. M.A. in Classics, with Concentration in Greek or Latin
2. M.A. in Classics, with Concentration in Classical Art and Archaeology
3. M.A. in Classics, with Concentration in Classical Antiquity
4. M.A. in Classics, with Concentration in the Teaching of Latin
5. M.A. Thesis and Examination Requirements
6. Ph.D. in Classics
7. Ph.D. Examination and Dissertation Requirements
8. General Rules and Requirements

I. M.A. in Classics, with Concentration in Greek or Latin

Plan I

• A minimum of 30 hours of 5000-level credit or above (including thesis), to be distributed as follows:
  • 18 hours in Greek or Latin.
  • 6-9 hours of student's choice.
  • 3-6 hours of thesis credit.

Note: Accelerated courses (5803/5813 Greek, 5804/5814 Latin) may not be used to meet these requirements.

• Students intending to pursue the Ph.D. in Classics are strongly encouraged to acquire a reading knowledge of either German, Italian, or French and to attempt an examination in one of these languages.
• Thesis (to be completed during 4th semester of graduate study)
• Comprehensive Examination  (upon submission of thesis): 3 hours written examination in translation of the major language and 1 hour oral examination based upon the thesis.   The translation examination will consist of two out of three prose passages and two out of three verse passages for a total of c. 120 lines taken from the Department Reading List.

Plan II

• The Department encourages students to apply to the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies for the required permission to follow Plan II.   The requirements differ from Plan I in substituting 3-6 additional hours of Greek or Latin (5000-level or above) for the 3-6 thesis hours of Plan I.   The written portion of the Comprehensive Examination is the same as in Plan I; the oral comprehensive exam is described below (V 2 b).

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II. M.A. in Classics, with Concentration in Classical Art and Archaeology

This new track in the Classics department affords a comprehensive and rigorous training in the art, architecture, and archaeology of the ancient and classical worlds. Emphasis is placed both on learning the material culture and aesthetics of Egypt, the Near East, Greece, and Rome, and on becoming conversant with modern historiographic and theoretical approaches to the ancient world. We are committed to interdisciplinary approaches and encourage work in related departments such as Art History, History, Anthropology, Museum Studies, and Comparative Literature. Courses in the ancient languages are required as a major component of working as an archaeologist in these historical eras. This track will prepare students for further work in many fields, including Museum Studies and doctoral work in Classical Art & Archaeology.

Plan I

• A minimum of 30 hours of 5000-level credit or above (including thesis), to be distributed as follows:
  • 6 hours of Greek and/or Latin
  • 15 credit hours of ancient, classical, and/or medieval art and archaeology. At least 3 credit hours must be at the 5000-level or above (not 4000/5000), and at least 3 credit hours must be a pre-approved non-classical graduate-level course.
  • 3-6 hours of student's choice
  • 3-6 hours of thesis credit

Note: Accelerated courses (5803/5813 Greek, 5804/5814 Latin) may not be used to meet these requirements.

• Thesis (to be completed during 4th semester of graduate study)
• Comprehensive Examination (upon submission of thesis):   Candidates must pass written and oral examinations in the fields of Greek art and archaeology and Roman art and archaeology. The written exam will consist of two parts: a 1-hour slide identification exam, to be given on the morning of the exam day, and a 3-hour essay exam, to be given in the afternoon. The written exam will be based on candidates' course work and the reading lists. The oral exam will explore further aspects of candidates' understanding of theories, methods, and material culture, based primarily on the thesis.

Plan II

• The Department encourages students to apply to the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies for the required permission to follow Plan II.   The requirements differ from Plan I in substituting 3-6 additional hours of ancient, classical, and/or medieval art and archaeology or graduate-level language for the 3-6 thesis hours of Plan I.   The Comprehensive Examinations are the same as in Plan I (as above), except that the oral examination focuses on coursework and the reading lists rather than a thesis.

The faculty strongly recommend that students planning to apply for PhD programs in Classical Archaeology attain graduate-level proficiency in both Greek and Latin. Language courses may, in consultation with the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, be substituted for other courses in fulfilling the requirements for this degree.

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III. M.A. in Classics, with Concentration in Classical Antiquity

Plan I

• A minimum of 30 hours of 5000-level credit or above (including thesis), to be distributed as follows:

  • 9 hours of Ancient History and Classical Archaeology
  • 6 hours of Greek and/or Latin
  • 9-12 hours of student's choice
  • 3-6 hours of thesis credit

Note: Accelerated courses (5803/5813 Greek, 5804/5814 Latin) may not be used to meet these requirements.

• Thesis (to be completed during 4th semester of graduate study)
• Comprehensive Examination (upon submission of thesis): 3 hours of written examination on two of the following special fields: a) History, b) Art and Archaeology, c) Religion and Mythology, d) Philosophy and Political Theory, e) Greek or Latin translation, and 1 hour oral examination based upon the thesis.   Reading lists, which may be customized within limits determined by an appropriate faculty advisor and approved by the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, are posted on the Department's web site under "Graduate Information."

Plan II

• The Department encourages students to apply to the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies for the required permission to follow Plan II.   The requirements differ from Plan I in substituting 3-6 additional hours of Ancient History or Classical Archaeology for the 3-6 thesis hours of Plan I.   The written portion of the Comprehensive Examination is the same as in Plan I (as above); the oral exam will focus on coursework and the reading lists.

Language courses may, in consultation with the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, be substituted for other courses in fulfilling the requirements for this degree.

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IV. M.A. in Classics, with Concentration in the Teaching of Latin

Plan II only

Note: Students entering the M.A. in the Teaching of Latin program who have not yet received teaching certification at the secondary level are encouraged to do so through the School of Education.   The M.A.T. degree alone does not satisfy the state's requirements for certification.

Requirements

• A minimum of 30 hours of 5000-level credit or above, to be distributed as follows:
  • 12 hours of Latin
  • 3 hours of workshop in Latin Teaching Methods.
  • 3 hours of Roman History
  • 9 hours of student's choice
  • 3 hours of Special Teaching Project covering the planning, teaching, and evaluation of a sequence of approximately 10 to 15 lessons.

Note: Accelerated courses (5803/5813 Greek, 5804/5814 Latin) may not be used to meet these requirements.

• Special Teaching Project (to be completed during the 4th semester of graduate study).
• Comprehensive Examination (upon submission of Special Project): 3 hours of written examination on translation of Latin, and 1 hour oral examination on teaching methods and special project.

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V. M.A. Thesis and Examination Requirements

1. The M.A. Thesis
   The thesis will usually grow out of the student's work in graduate courses and may be the revised and expanded version of a term or seminar paper.   Its topic should be of such a scope (c. 12,000 words) that the work can be completed within one semester.   The student will ask the faculty member with whom the student wishes to work to act as Thesis Advisor.   With the advice and approval of the Graduate Committee, the Thesis Advisor will select a Second and a Third Reader to complete the Thesis Advisory Committee.   The thesis topic must be approved by the Advisory Committee and the Graduate Committee by the Drop/Add deadline of the semester in which the student intends to defend the thesis. The student should ordinarily submit the completed thesis to the Advisory Committee at least 45 days before the commencement at which the degree is to be conferred.   An earlier deadline may be set by the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.   The Department will accept the thesis upon approval by the Thesis Advisor and at least one of the other Readers.   The Graduate School requires that such approval be received at least 30 days before the commencement at which the degree is to be conferred.   Two weeks prior to that commencement date, two formally approved copies of the thesis, complete with abstracts and signed by the Thesis Advisor and one other member of the Advisory Committee, must be filed with the Graduate School.
   
   
2. Oral Comprehensive Examination:
   1. Plan I. After the thesis has been accepted by the Department and the written examination has been passed, the student is required to take an Oral Comprehensive Examination of no more than one hour that will focus on the thesis. The examination is open to members of the Faculty and will be given by a Committee consisting of the Thesis Advisor as Chair, the Second Reader, and a Third Examiner appointed by the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.  
      
   2. Plan II . The Associate Chair for Graduate Studies will select three examiners for a student pursuing Plan II from those faculty involved in the composition and marking of the written exams. The Oral Comprehensive Examination of no more than one hour will cover work done in formal courses and seminars in the major field, as well as the reading list read for the exam. The Examination is open to members of the Faculty and will be given by the Committee as constituted above.  
      
      A Comprehensive Examination may be postponed for one semester with the approval of the Graduate Committee and the Chair of the Department. Postponement of the examination for a second time will require the approval of the Faculty. Under Graduate School Rules, a failed M.A. Comprehensive Examination cannot be retaken until at least 3 months have elapsed. M.A. Comprehensive Examinations may only be retaken once.

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VI. Ph.D. in Classics

1. A minimum of 42 hours of coursework at the 5000-level or above (excluding thesis and accelerated courses).   Course work completed in the M.A. program at the University of Colorado, or up to 21 hours of graduate credit transferred from another institution, may be applied toward this requirement.   Courses should be distributed as follows:
   1. 4 7000-level graduate seminars (at least one each in Greek and Latin).
   2. 2 courses in Ancient History or Classical Archaeology.
   3. 1 course in either Greek or Latin Prose Composition.
   4. 2 courses in special fields such as Epigraphy, Law, Linguistics, Literary Theory, Medieval Studies, Palaeography, Papyrology, Philosophy, or Religion, as approved by the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.
2. A minimum of 30 hours of doctoral dissertation credit with no more than 10 of these hours in any one semester.   No more than 10 dissertation hours may be taken preceding the semester of taking the Oral Comprehensive Examination.   Up to 10 hours may be taken during the semester in which the student passes the comprehensive examination.
3. A reading knowledge of German and one other modern foreign language (normally Italian or French) is required. Proficiency is tested by a one-hour written translation test using a dictionary. Students may take a Foreign Language Exam at any time by arrangement with the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies. Students are encouraged to pass both modern language exams by the end of the third semester and required to do so before the end of the fourth semester in the Ph.D. program.
4. Greek and Latin Translation Exams. Two examinations of 3 hours of written translation in Greek and Latin. Each examination will consist of 2 out of 3 prose passages and 2 out of 3 verse passages for a total of c. 120 lines. There will be two administrations of each exam per year, in the fall and spring. Students are encouraged to pass both exams by the end of the second semester and required to pass them before the end of the second year in the Ph.D. program.
5. Special Author Exams. Two oral examinations of 1.5 hours each on two ancient authors, one Greek and one Latin.   Students are encouraged to complete these exams by the end of the fourth semester and must complete them by the end of the fifth semester in the Ph.D. program.
6. Oral Comprehensive Examination: A 2-hour oral exam on Greek and Latin Literature. Students are encouraged to complete this exam early in the fifth semester and must have completed it by the end of the sixth semester in the Ph.D. program.
7. Dissertation Prospectus: To be circulated to the Dissertation Advisory Committee for approval.   Students are encouraged to complete the Prospectus during the fifth semester and must complete it during the seventh semester in the Ph.D. program.
8. Dissertation: To be completed by the end of the tenth semester in the Ph.D. program.
9. Final Examination (upon submission of dissertation): 2 hours of oral defense of the Dissertation.

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VII. Ph.D. Examination and Dissertation Requirements

1. Examination Schedule
   1. Language exams: Students must have passed their modern language exams and both of their ancient language translation exams by the end of their fourth semester in the Ph.D. program. Students who fail an examination in an ancient language may retake it once, as early as the following semester: the makeup exam will not include material the student passed the first time (i.e., if a student passes the prose translation but fails the verse, the makeup exam will not include prose). Students may only fail an exam in ancient language once, and must have passed all language exams by the end of the second year.
   2. No comprehensive examination may be attempted until all preliminary examinations have been successfully completed. Exceptionally well prepared students may be permitted by the Graduate Committee to take an examination at an earlier than the specified time.
   3. Under exceptional circumstances, students may petition for an additional semester to complete an exam or other requirement; such petitions will be voted on by the full Faculty.
   4. Students who fall behind this schedule will be required to leave the program, unless they petition successfully for an extension.
      
      
2. Special Author Oral Exams
   The special authors, one each in Greek and Latin, are to be selected with the approval of the Graduate Committee. Students are expected to read their special authors with ease and precision; they will be asked to translate selected passages and discuss them in detail. The examinations will cover the secondary literature on the special author as well as the manuscript and editorial traditions. Students should circulate to the Exam Committee a syllabus of their own design for a future graduate seminar on each special author at least one week before the exam.
   
   
3. Dissertation Director and Committee
   As soon as an area of specialization has been determined, the student will request the faculty member with whom the student wishes to work to act as Dissertation Director and Chair of the Advisory Committee. With the advice and approval of the Graduate Committee and the Dissertation Director, the student will select two additional Advisory Members of the Dissertation Committee, one of whom may be chosen from another Department.
   
   
4. Oral Comprehensive Examination
   A 2-hour oral exam, the Oral Comprehensive Examination will cover all of Greek and Latin Literature. Students are expected to demonstrate conversance with primary and secondary sources as well as related issues such as the manuscript tradition, social and historical context, and current theoretical trends in the field. Students should be able to discuss the critical context surrounding the authors represented on the PhD translation exam reading lists, demonstrating not only a fundamental understanding of those authors but also awareness of current critical arguments about the authors.
   
   The Examining Board shall consist of the student's Advisory Committee and additional members appointed by the Chair of the Department, to a minimum total of five with the Chair of the Advisory Committee as Chair of the Examining Board. Students should consult with their examining committee at least two months before the exam date and should plan to meet with committee members again before the exam.
   
   
5. Dissertation Prospectus
   The Dissertation Prospectus should provide a clear written outline of the dissertation, including major themes to be explored and a chapter-by-chapter outline, as well as an extensive bibliography. Students are expected to demonstrate conversance with their field, a thorough knowledge of primary and secondary sources, current trends in scholarship, and a clearly articulated sense of their novel contributions to the field. The prospectus should be roughly fifteen to twenty pages long, plus bibliography, and will be circulated to the Dissertation Advisory Committee; the Dissertation Advisory Committee will decide if a prospectus is acceptable.
   
   
6. Dissertation
   The dissertation must be finished and submitted in typewritten form at least 45 days before the date of the Final Examination. It must be formally approved by the Dissertation Advisory Committee and made available to the Faculty for inspection at least one week before the date of the Final Examination. The dissertation must meet the format requirements of the Graduate School. Students should consult the University Catalog and confer with the Graduate School for specifications and deadlines.
   
   
7. Final Examination
   The Final Examination is the oral defense of the dissertation before a Committee appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School.   The Committee will consist of at least five members, three of whom must be Boulder Campus faculty and one of whom must be from outside the Department.   More than one dissenting vote will disqualify the candidate in the Final Examination.   Upon the recommendation of the Examining Committee, a candidate who fails the Final Examination may retake it once.   The examination is open to anyone.
   

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VII. General Rules and Requirements

1. Quality of Graduate Work
   Students are required to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (=B).   No more than six hours of C may be accumulated in work that is presented for a Master's Degree; any hours of C must be offset by an equal number of hours of A.   No grade below B- may be counted toward the Ph.D.   Work receiving a grade of C- may not be counted toward any degree.
   
   
2. Course Load
   1. All full-time students in the M.A. program and the first year of the Ph.D. program are expected to carry a full course load of 3 courses = 9 hours per semester.
   2. Advanced full-time students in the Ph.D. program would typically carry a reduced load of 2 courses = 6 hours per semester, provided they are making adequate progress toward the degree.   With the permission of the Associate Chair for Graduate studies, 1-3 hours of dissertation credit or 2-3 hours of Independent Study may be substituted for one classroom course; however, no more than 10 hours of dissertation credit may be accumulated prior to the semester of taking the Oral Comprehensive Examination.
   3. Ph.D. Candidates (i.e. students having passed the Oral Comprehensive Examination) must be registered for 5-10 hours of dissertation credit per semester.
      
      
3. Part-Time Students
   Students wishing to pursue a degree on a part-time basis (i.e., carrying less than a full load of courses per semester) must so indicate when applying for admission to the Department.   Part-time students will arrange with their advisor and the Associate Chair for Graduate studies for their individual course of study and examination schedule; however, examinations for part-time students will normally be given only at the time of regularly scheduled examinations of the same kind.   Part-time students will not normally be considered for graduate teaching appointments.
   
   
4. Independent Study
   The Department does not recommend Independent Study courses for students in the M.A. program.   All independent study courses must be approved by a faculty sponsor, the Associate Chair for Graduate studies, and the Chair of the Department.   In accordance with Graduate School rules, independent study may account for no more than 25% of course work presented for an M.A. degree.
   
   
5. Termination
   A student who fails any Preliminary Examination three times will automatically be dropped from the program, unless an additional attempt is authorized, upon the student's petition, by a majority vote of the Faculty.   Under Graduate School rules, a Comprehensive Examination may be retaken only once.
   
   
6. Progress Toward the Degree
   Students are expected to make reasonable progress toward their degrees.   They may be required by the Department to take their written or oral examinations at specified regular examination times. Two years of study are considered a reasonable period for the M.A., three to four additional years for the Ph.D. Successful progress toward the degree is a determining factor in the award of financial support to students in the graduate program.   Under Graduate School rules, all work for the M.A. must be completed within four years or six consecutive summers.   All work for the Ph.D. must be completed within six years from the date course work was started in the Ph.D. program.   For possible extensions, students should consult with the Graduate School.

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