Students who major in Classics study and analyze the languages and cultures of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Their investigations promote an improved understanding of these civilizations’ cultural, intellectual, professional, and civic lives — as well as our own. Through interactive language classes, specialized courses on topics ranging from STEM to status in the ancient world, and affordable study abroad opportunities, they develop advanced proficiency in the languages, literatures and cultures of both ancient Greece and ancient Rome. They cultivate skills in innovative analysis, creative and collaborative problem solving, and outstanding, persuasive communication, enabling them to pursue careers in a variety of fields such as education, law, journalism, business and entrepreneurship, and health sciences. This degree also provides excellent preparation for the study of the ancient world at the graduate level.
We also offer an Honors Program.
Admissions, Advising & Student Resources
Please see our Undergraduate Programs section for information about applying to the program, career paths, scholarships, and other student resources. The Classics Department adviser is ready to help you if you have any further questions.
Degree Requirements
Requirements for the major in Classics (67-68 credits) are:
- 15 credits of 300-level classical Greek, excluding GREEK 300, GREEK 301
- 15 credits of 300-level Latin, excluding LATIN 300, LATIN 301
- Minimum 30 credits in 400-level GREEK and LATIN courses, with at least 10 credits in each language
- 5 credits from approved classics in English, classical art and archaeology, ancient history, the history of ancient philosophy, and the history of ancient science. See list of acceptable courses.
- CLAS 495, the Senior Essay (2-3 credits)
Students who intend to continue their studies to the Ph.D. degree are advised to take the B.A. in Classics or, alternatively, the B.A. in Latin or in Greek with as many courses as possible in the second language.