MA in Classics in Berkeley United States | University of California, Berkeley

The department focuses on teaching and researching the languages, cultures, histories, philosophies, literature, art, and material heritage of ancient Greece and Rome. It offers dynamic undergraduate major programs and a diverse range of courses, including comprehensive instruction in ancient Greek and Latin. Each year, its PhD programs in Classics and Classical Archaeology welcome promising scholars who go on to shape the future of these fields. As a hub of intellectual activity, the department collaborates with renowned research centers led by its faculty, such as the Center for the Tebtunis Papyri, the Sara B. Aleshire Center for Greek Epigraphy, and the Nemea Center for Classical Archaeology. The department also hosts numerous events and distinguished visits, including the prestigious annual Jane K. Sather Professorship of Classical Literature. The Master of Arts in Classics, a Plan II degree (24 units plus a comprehensive exam), offers specializations in Greek or Latin. Admission to the M.A. program is granted only as a pathway to the Ph.D. The Graduate Program in Classics equips students with foundational scholarly skills while fostering original research. The Ph.D. typically takes 6–8 years: 2 years for the M.A., 2–3 years fulfilling preliminary requirements, and 2–3 years completing a dissertation. Students entering with an M.A. usually finish preliminary requirements in 2–2.5 years and the Ph.D. in 4–5 years. A unique aspect of the program is its two required proseminars (usually taken in the first two years): one on philological methods (covering papyrology and textual criticism) and another on literary and cultural theory tailored to Classics. Students also explore at least three sub-fields (e.g., literature, philosophy, history, archaeology, or art history).