PhD in Classics
The Arch of Constantine, Rome
The Department of Classics offers PhD concentrations in Classical Literature, Ancient History and Mediterranean Archaeology. Our faculty is well known for scholarship in each of these of areas, especially Greek and Roman archaeology, ancient religion, Greek and Latin epic poetry, linguistics and epigraphy.
About the PhD Program
The PhD program offers training that combines individual specialization with a foundation of considerable breadth, and comprises 42 credit-hours beyond the 30 credit-hours required for the MA, culminating in the doctoral dissertation.
In order to earn the PhD in Classics, Ancient History focus, students must:
- Complete 72 credit hours of course work (42 credit hours beyond the 30 credit hours required for the MA)
- Complete four specific courses, only required for students entering without an MA in Classics (CL 527: History of Greek Literature; CL 590: Greek Syntax and Stylistics; CL 538: History of Latin Literature; CL 595: Latin Syntax and Stylistics)
- Complete graduate courses sufficient to provide basic proficiency in two areas of ancient history (Greece, Rome)
- Complete one graduate seminar within the two areas of ancient history
- Complete one graduate course focusing on an ancient historian
- Complete one graduate seminar in each of the following three areas: Mediterranean archaeology, historiography, history or anthropology outside the ancient period (the latter two may be taken outside the Department of Classics.)
- Pass a translation exam in two modern languages (two of French, German, Italian or modern Greek) (i.e., a translation exam in one language in addition to that passed for the MA)
- Pass a set of three general exams
- Complete a dissertation
In order to earn the PhD in Classics, Language and Literature focus, students must:
- Complete 72 credit hours of course work (42 credit hours beyond the 30 credit hours required for the MA)
- Complete four specific courses, only required for students entering without an MA in Classics (CL 527: History of Greek Literature; CL 590: Greek Syntax and Stylistics; CL 538: History of Latin Literature; CL 595: Latin Syntax and Stylistics)
- Complete one graduate seminar in both ancient Greek language and literature and Latin language and literature
- Complete one graduate survey or one graduate seminar in each of the following three areas: ancient history, Mediterranean archaeology, linguistics or literary theory (the last may be taken outside the Department Classics)
- Pass a translation exam in two modern languages (two of French, German, Italian or modern Greek) (i.e., a translation exam in one language in addition to that passed for the MA)
- Pass a set of three general exams
- Complete a dissertation
In order to earn the PhD in Classics, Mediterranean Archaeology focus, students must:
- Complete 72 credit hours of course work (42 credit hours beyond the 30 credit hours required for the MA)
- Complete four specific courses, only required for students entering without an MA in Classics (CL 527: History of Greek Literature; CL 590: Greek Syntax and Stylistics; CL 538: History of Latin Literature; CL 595: Latin Syntax and Stylistics)
- Complete one graduate survey course in each of two areas of Mediterranean archaeology (Greece, Rome)
- Complete two graduate seminars in each of the two areas of Mediterranean archaeology
- Complete one graduate course in ancient Greek or Latin prose relevant to Mediterranean archaeology
- Complete one graduate survey course or seminar in the archaeology of a culture area outside the Mediterranean (e.g., Sub-Saharan Africa, temperate Europe, North America or Meso-America, usually taken outside the Department of Classics)
- Complete one graduate seminar that emphasizes method and/or theory in and/or the history of archaeology (this may be taken outside the Department of Classics)
- Complete at least 6 weeks of archaeological fieldwork, related or not to a field school, in an approved academic program, or equivalent activities in cultural heritage institutions (i.e. museums or similar). Activities may vary from excavations and archaeological surveys, to material culture studies or technology-applied experiences. Internships within cultural heritage institutions are also accepted. The entire 6 weeks of activities can be distributed across the duration of the Ph.D. program. Other types of activities may be discussed with an advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the Chair of the Department for full consideration towards completion of the requirement. All such activities must be supported by an official certificate released by the leading institution
- Pass a translation exam in two modern languages (two of French, German, Italian or modern Greek) (i.e., a translation exam in one language in addition to that passed for the MA)
- Pass a set of three general exams
- Complete a dissertation
Student Testimonials
"My six years at UB were the best of my life, and I will always remember the professors, staff and fellow graduate students who helped me get to where I am today. When I arrived at UB in 2005, I was an eager, but very raw, young BA who had minimal knowledge of Ancient History and Archaeology. The UB Classics Department’s curriculum gave me the chance to create a foundation in these areas while developing my primary research interest of Ancient Greek Epic. As a result, I acquired the multifaceted expertise in the ancient world needed to call myself a true classicist."
– Wiliam Duffy, PhD '11
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Rare coins from the Thomas B. Lockwood Collection