To earn a master’s degree at Washington University, a student must complete all courses required by their department; maintain satisfactory academic progress; pass certain examinations; fulfill all academic and residence requirements; and apply for program completion (graduation) via Workday Student.

For the details of master’s degree general requirements in Arts & Sciences, including an explanation of Satisfactory Academic Progress, students should review the Master’s Degree Academic Information page of the Arts & Sciences Bulletin.

Accelerated BA/MA in Classics 

The Accelerated BA/Master's program allows qualified Washington University undergraduates to complete a master’s degree in Classics in a one-year accelerated program after completing the BA degree. The undergraduate and graduate degrees are awarded sequentially, with admission to the master’s degree, if approved, for the fall semester following completion of the undergraduate degree in the preceding December, May, or August.

Applications must be submitted by March 15, and GRE tests are not required. The program is available only to students currently in their senior year and only for continuous enrollment in the next year. There is no option for deferred admissions. In order to complete a master’s degree in one year, students may apply five courses taken at the 4000 level or above as an undergraduate (with a maximum of 16 units) toward the master's program in Classics. All admissions are provisional until the successful completion of the BA. 

The actual awarding of each degree is contingent on the successful completion of all requirements for that degree. The application for admission must be made to the department and the Office of Graduate Studies, Arts & Sciences, through the admissions system. There is no application fee. Students in the program should familiarize themselves with the relevant sections of this Bulletin.

Program Requirements

  • Total Units Required: 36
  • Degree Length: Four academic years of undergraduate studies + one academic year of graduate studies
    • Note: Students must be enrolled in 9 graduate credits each semester to retain full-time status. As students complete their coursework, if enrolled in fewer than 9 graduate credits, they must enroll in a specific Arts & Sciences graduate course that will show 0 units but does count as full-time status. Students should connect with their department to ensure proper enrollment prior to Add/Drop.
  • Grade Requirement: ​​Classics follows the Arts & Sciences minimum grade requirement of C– or better for courses that apply to the program. Students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in courses that count toward their credit units.

Courses

Total units required: 36 units

  • Five courses taken at the 4000 level or above as an undergraduate (with a maximum of 16 units)
  • Remaining seven courses (21 units) completed in the graduate year

Specific Required Courses (6 units, one course [3 units] completed senior year)

  • CLASSICS 5030 Classical Studies: Theories, Methods & Practice (a proseminar on materials, methods, and professional issues in Classics; offered every 2 years)
  • CLASSICS 5100 Comparative Greek and Latin Grammar (offered every 2 years)

Other Course Requirements (30 units)

  • At least 6 units in Greek (two options are offered every semester)
  • At least 6 units in Latin (two or more options are offered every semester)
  • Students writing a master's thesis in their graduate year may enroll in 0, 3, or 6 research credits

Most remaining courses will be in Greek, Latin, and Classics. All must be at the 4000 level or higher. Courses taken as a master's student must be at the 5000 level or higher.

Research Credits (6 units)

The master's thesis may count for up to 6 units. Any student opting not to write a thesis will fulfill these units with additional courses.

Modern Language Competence

This competence can be in German, French or Italian. The requirement may be fulfilled by courses or examination.

Program Exams

  • Greek Reading List
  • Latin Reading List

Students not planning to go on to a PhD program in Classics may opt to take the Reading List exam in one language (Greek or Latin) only. Those who pursue this option must still complete at least 6 units in the other language at the 5000 level or above, not counting the required Comparative Greek and Latin Grammar course. The examination will require the student to demonstrate competence in translation and interpretation as well as in knowledge of the relevant scholarship.

Teaching Option

MA students may have the opportunity to assist faculty as paid student workers in undergraduate courses. 

Visit the Classics page
for additional information about this program.

Contact Info

Phone:314-935-5123
Email:classics@wustl.edu
Website:https://classics.wustl.edu