Classics

Program Overview

The Department of Classics provides advanced training leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Classics in a wide range of areas: Greek and Latin Literature, Ancient (Greek and Roman) Philosophy, and Greek and Roman History.

Contact the Department of Classics for more information about admission, application procedures, and funding.

Quick Facts

Master of Arts

Program Description

Applicants may be admitted to either the two-year MA program or the one-year advanced-standing option, depending on their level of preparation. At the time of application, students are encouraged to indicate their preference for one of the three fields offered: Greek and Roman History and Material Culture, Greek and Roman Literature, and Ancient Philosophy. The MA program may be taken on a part-time basis.

MA Program (Two-Year)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Classics' additional admission requirements stated below.

• Successful completion of an appropriate bachelor's program in classics or a related field, with at least a B+ average in the final year. For applicants who expect to focus on the areas of Greek and Roman Literature or Ancient Philosophy, the equivalent of three years of training in either Greek or Latin and two years of training in the other language is recommended. For applicants who expect to focus on the area of Greek and Roman History and Material Culture, the equivalent of three years of training in either Greek or Latin and demonstrated excellence in the study of Greek and Roman history and material culture is recommended.

• Students who are otherwise qualified but who lack the required amount of training in Greek and Latin or in Greek and Roman history and material culture should consult with the department about further preparation.

Program Requirements

• Year 1: Students normally complete at least 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) selected in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator from departmental language courses and seminars. Students who do not complete these courses with appropriate standing may be required to withdraw from the MA program or to retake the courses.

• Year 2: Students normally complete at least 3.0 FCEs, including the Graduate Research Paper, selected in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator, and complete the sight translation examination and qualifying examination(s) required by the field they have chosen in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

  • Completion of one (0.5 FCE) of GRK1000H or LAT1000H (intensive advanced language skills), or equivalent, or a course from the GRK/LAT1800H series, with a grade of at least B–.

  • Completion of three additional graduate courses (1.5 FCEs).

  • Completion of the Ancient History methods course (CLA3020Y), only for students whose area is Greek and Roman History and Material Culture.

  • Completion of CLA2000Y (1.0 FCE) Graduate Research Paper with a grade of at least B. Each student is assigned to a faculty advisor for CLA2000Y and works independently on the preparation of a research paper (about 8,000 words in length). The Graduate Research Paper is assessed by a committee of two faculty members, including the advisor.

  • Completion of the sight translation examination in either Greek or Latin with a grade of at least B–.

  • Completion of the Greek qualifying examination and the Latin qualifying examination (three-hour translation exam in each language, including both prose and poetry) with a grade of at least B–. Students whose field is Greek and Roman History and Material Culture may choose to satisfy this requirement by:

    • completing either the Greek or the Latin qualifying examination with a grade of at least B– and by completing one language course in the other language with a grade of at least B+, or by

    • earning credit for the relative 1000H Advanced Language Studies course.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S);
9 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

MA Program (One-Year Advanced-Standing Option)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Classics' additional admission requirements stated below.

• Successful completion of an appropriate bachelor's program in classics or a related field, with at least a B+ average in the final year. For applicants who expect to focus on the areas of Greek and Roman Literature or Ancient Philosophy, the equivalent of at least three and preferably four years of training in Greek and Latin is recommended. For applicants who expect to focus on the area of Greek and Roman History and Material Culture, the equivalent of three years of training in either Greek or Latin and demonstrated excellence in the study of Greek and Roman history and material culture is recommended.

• Students who are otherwise qualified but who lack the required amount of training in Greek and Latin or in Greek and Roman history and material culture should consult with the department about further preparation.

Program Requirements

• Students normally complete at least 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs), including the Graduate Research Paper, selected in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator, and complete the sight translation examination and qualifying examination(s).

  • Completion of one (0.5 FCE) of GRK1000H or LAT1000H (intensive advanced language skills), or equivalent, or a course from the GRK/LAT1800H series, with a grade of at least B–.

  • Completion of three additional graduate courses (1.5 FCEs).

  • Completion of the Ancient History methods course (CLA3020Y), only for students whose area is Greek and Roman History and Material Culture.

  • Completion of CLA2000Y (1.0 FCE) Graduate Research Paper with a grade of at least B. Each student is assigned to a faculty advisor for CLA2000Y and works independently on the preparation of a research paper (about 8,000 words in length). The Graduate Research Paper is assessed by a committee of two faculty members, including the advisor.

  • Completion of the sight translation examination in either Greek or Latin with a grade of at least B–.

  • Completion of the Greek qualifying examination and the Latin qualifying examination (three-hour translation exam in each language, including both prose and poetry) with a grade of at least B–. Students whose field is Greek and Roman History and Material Culture may only choose to satisfy this requirement by:

    • completing either the Greek or the Latin qualifying examination with a grade of at least B– and by completing one language course in the other language with a grade of at least B+, or by

    • earning credit for the relative 1000H Advanced Language Studies course.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
9 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Classics' additional admission requirements stated below.

• Successful completion of a strong master's program in classics or a related field (with at least a B+ average overall and at least one A–). All students must have the equivalent of at least four years of training in either Latin or Greek and at least three years in the other language, and a broad preparation in the reading of ancient texts in the original languages.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Satisfactory completion of:

  • GRK1000H (0.5 FCE) or equivalent

  • LAT1000H (0.5 FCE) or equivalent.

• At the department's discretion, students who need additional preparation may be required to take a selection of courses approved by the department during Year 1 before beginning to prepare for the qualifying examinations. Students will be notified of such additional requirements at the time of their offers of admission or early in their first session.

  • CLA2000Y (1.0 FCE) Graduate Research Paper with a grade of at least A–. Doctoral students who complete the Graduate Research Paper at a lower standard which nevertheless satisfies the MA requirement will be granted the MA. Students admitted with advanced standing are exempt from the Graduate Research Paper.

  • 10 seminars with an A– average, including at least two outside the student’s field of specialization (one of which must not be offered or cross-listed by the Department of Classics).

  • Satisfactory participation for at least two years in the seminar series for the student’s field (SRD4444Y⁰ or AMP2000Y).

• Qualifying exam. Completion of the Greek qualifying examination and Latin qualifying examination with grades of at least B+. One of these exams must be passed by the end of Year 2, and both must be passed by the end of Year 3 of the PhD. Doctoral students who complete the qualifying examinations at a lower standard which nevertheless satisfies the MA requirement will be granted the MA.

• Satisfactory completion of sight translation examinations in both Greek and Latin with grades of at least B+. This requirement must be completed before the major field examination is attempted. Students whose field is Greek and Roman History may satisfy this requirement with a grade of at least B+ on the sight translation examination in one language and a grade of at least B on the sight translation examination in the other language.

• Demonstration of adequate reading knowledge of two languages of research other than English, one of which will normally be German, before the major field examination is attempted.

• Satisfactory completion of the major field examination (CLA4000Y⁰). The major field defines a broad area of specialization, within which the dissertation topic will fall. It is normally established by Year 3 of the program and is directed by the supervisory committee. Preparation for the major field examination includes the completion of a satisfactory research essay. The major field is examined by means of two written examinations, one of which must involve translation from the list of primary sources, and an oral examination covering the research essay and the examination papers. The major field examination should be completed by the middle of Year 4.

• The dissertation should be completed by the end of Year 5.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

6 years

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

PhD Program (Advanced-Standing)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Classics' additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants are admitted with advanced standing if they have successfully completed a strong master's program in Classics. Students who have completed the MA program in Classics at the University of Toronto are required to have grades of at least B+ in all graded coursework and a grade of at least A– on the Graduate Research Paper CLA2000Y.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Satisfactory completion of:

  • GRK1000H (0.5 FCE) or equivalent

  • LAT1000H (0.5 FCE) or equivalent.

• 10 seminars with an A– average, including at least two outside the student’s field of specialization (one of which must not be offered or cross-listed by the Department of Classics). Students who have completed CLA2000Y with a grade of at least A– for their MA degree, or who have a comparable achievement, need 8 seminars with an A– average.

• Satisfactory participation for at least two years in the seminar series for the student’s field (SRD4444Y⁰ or AMP2000Y). This includes the Ancient History methods course for those students whose field is Greek and Roman History and Material Culture.

• Qualifying exams.

  • Completion of the Greek qualifying examination and Latin qualifying examination with grades of at least B+. Students whose field is Greek and Roman History and Material Culture may choose to complete either the Greek qualifying examination or the Latin qualifying examination with a grade of B+ based on the MA reading list instead of the PhD reading list. Students in this field who are enrolled in the Mediterranean Archaeology collaborative specialization (MACS) may choose to satisfy the other language examination by passing an 1800H-level language course in that language with a B+. One of these exams must be passed by the end of Year 2, and both must be passed by the end of Year 3 of the four-year PhD program, but passing the exams at an earlier stage is advisable. Doctoral students who complete the qualifying examinations at a lower standard which nevertheless satisfies the MA requirement will be granted the MA.

  • Completion of the respective Area examination with a grade of at least B+ for students whose field is Greek and Roman Literature or Greek and Roman History and Material Culture.

• Satisfactory completion of sight translation examinations in both Greek and Latin with grades of at least B+. This requirement must be completed before the major field examination is attempted. Students whose field is Greek and Roman History and Material Culture may satisfy this requirement with a grade of at least B+ on the sight translation examination in one language and a grade of at least B– on the sight translation examination in the other language. Students in this field who are enrolled in the Mediterranean Archaeology collaborative specialization (MACS) may choose to satisfy the other language examination by passing an 1800H-level language course in the other language with a B+.

• Demonstration of adequate reading knowledge of two languages of research other than English, one of which will normally be German, before the major field examination is attempted.

• Satisfactory completion of the major field examination (CLA4000Y⁰). The major field defines a broad area of specialization, within which the dissertation topic will fall. It is normally established by Year 2 of the four-year PhD program and is directed by the supervisory committee. Preparation for the major field examination includes the completion of a satisfactory research essay. The major field is examined by means of two written examinations, one of which may involve translation from the list of primary sources, and an oral examination covering the research essay and the examination papers. The major field examination should be completed by the middle of Year 3 of the four-year PhD program.

• The dissertation should be completed by the end of Year 4.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Classics' additional admission requirements stated below.

• Successful completion of a strong bachelor's program in classics of a related field with at least an A– average in the final year. For students who expect to focus on the areas of Greek and Roman Literature or Ancient Philosophy, at least three years of study in both Greek and Latin and a broad preparation in the reading of ancient texts in the original languages is recommended. For applicants who expect to focus on the area of Greek and Roman History and Material Culture, the equivalent of three years of training in either Greek or Latin, familiarity with the other language, and demonstrated excellence in the study of Greek and Roman history and material culture is required.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Satisfactory completion of:

  • GRK1000H (0.5 FCE) or equivalent

  • LAT1000H (0.5 FCE) or equivalent.

• 10 seminars with an A– average, including at least two outside the student’s field of specialization (one of which must not be offered or cross-listed by the Department of Classics).

• With permission of the Graduate Coordinator, two of the seminars in Year 1 may be exchanged for CLA2000Y (1.0 FCE) Graduate Research Paper. A grade of A– is required for completion. Doctoral students who complete the Graduate Research Paper at a lower standard which nevertheless satisfies the MA requirement will be granted the MA.

• Satisfactory participation for at least two years in the seminar series for the student’s field (SRD4444Y⁰ or AMP2000Y). This includes the Ancient History methods course for those students whose field is Greek and Roman History and Material Culture.

• Qualifying exams.

  • Completion of the Greek qualifying examination and Latin qualifying examination with grades of at least B+. Students in the Greek and Roman History and Material Culture field may choose to complete either the Greek qualifying examination or the Latin qualifying examination with a grade of B+ based on the MA reading list instead of the PhD reading list. Students in this field who are enrolled in the Mediterranean Archaeology collaborative specialization (MACS) may choose to satisfy the other language examination by passing an 1800H-level language course in that language with a B+. One of these exams must be passed by the end of Year 2, and both must be passed by the end of Year 3 of the five-year PhD program. Doctoral students who complete the qualifying examinations at a lower standard which nevertheless satisfies the MA requirement will be granted the MA.

  • Completion of the respective Area examination with a grade of at least B+ for students whose field is Greek and Roman Literature or Greek and Roman History and Material Culture.

• Satisfactory completion of sight translation examinations in both Greek and Latin with grades of at least B+. This requirement must be completed before the major field examination is attempted. Students whose field is Greek and Roman History and Material Culture may satisfy this requirement with a grade of at least B+ on the sight translation examination in one language and a grade of at least B– on the sight translation examination in the other language. Students in this area of emphasis who are enrolled in the Mediterranean Archaeology collaborative specialization (MACS) may choose to satisfy the other language examination by passing an 1800H-level language course in that language with a B+.

• Demonstration of adequate reading knowledge of two languages of research other than English, one of which will normally be German, before the major field examination is attempted.

• Satisfactory completion of the major field examination (CLA4000Y⁰). The major field defines a broad area of specialization, within which the dissertation topic will fall. It is normally established by Year 3 of the program and is directed by the supervisory committee. Preparation for the major field examination includes the completion of a satisfactory research essay. The major field is examined by means of two written examinations, one of which may involve translation from the list of primary sources, and an oral examination covering the research essay and the examination papers. The major field examination should be completed by the middle of Year 4.

• The dissertation should be completed by the end of Year 5.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.