Graduate ProgramGraduate Program
The graduate program in Classics at Rutgers offers full- and part-time courses of study leading to the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Arts for Teachers (MAT), and Doctor of Philosophy.
Focusing on the interpretation of original texts in Greek and Latin, students master the philological methods of the discipline and become familiar with the methods of such related disciplines as ancient history, philosophy, art history, and archaeology. The faculty of the Department of Classics participate in an interdisciplinary graduate-level introductory course in literary theory that all students in the program are encouraged to take.
While the examination of the original texts is central, this program attempts to put the texts into a perspective that shows the relevance of classics to the present day and prepares students to apply their knowledge of classics in the general humanistic tradition. The Ph.D. candidate is expected to have a knowledge of all major authors; to include work beyond the Greek fifth and fourth centuries B.C. and the Republican and Augustan periods of Rome; to have an acquaintance with the interdependence of Greek and Roman literature and culture; and to undertake research in a specific aspect of classics or classical archaeology.
Study in the program may be supplemented by work in related programs such as art history, comparative literature, history, or philosophy, according to individual interests.
The M.A. candidate must demonstrate a general knowledge of the principal ancient authors and may write a thesis (equivalent to 6 credits). The candidate may elect to emphasize either Greek or Latin, but must have a knowledge of both. The student is also expected to demonstrate a reading knowledge of French, German, or Italian. The M.A. examination tests the student's knowledge of the Greek and Latin languages, the material included in course work, and the material on the MA Reading List. (View the MA Reading list for emphasis in Greek or in Latin.) It consists of three hours of translation and three hours of general knowledge questions in history, literature, and philosophy. Students may take the M.A. examination after completing 30 credits of graduate work. You may follow this link to the general reading lists for both the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees; these lists are also available at the department office in printed form. Reading lists for special fields and authors can be worked out with the graduate adviser.
The M.A. program in Latin for teachers (M.A.T.) is designed to assist Latin teachers in secondary schools. The candidate is expected to pass a competency examination in ancient Greek or, alternatively, to demonstrate a reading knowledge of German, French, or Italian. The student is expected to complete a total of 30 credits, of which 24 are graduate credits and 6 are outside the field of Latin literature (e.g., ancient history, ancient philosophy); to complete an expository or critical essay (normally in conjunction with the course work); and to pass a comprehensive examination based on course work and the reading list of Latin authors.
The Ph.D. candidate is expected to complete at least 48 credits of course work beyond the bachelor's degree and to demonstrate a reading knowledge of German and either French or Italian. Course work includes Greek or Latin composition. This requirement may be waived upon successful completion of an equivalent examination. The qualifying examination covers the following four areas, with a three-hour examination in each: (1) a knowledge of the principal Greek and Latin authors as specified on the PhD Reading List; (2) a particular Greek or Latin author; (3) a special field, such as a period of ancient literature, a literary genre, ancient philosophy, or a period of Greek or Roman art and archaeology or history; and (4) translation from Latin and Greek. The Master of Philosophy degree is available to doctoral candidates.
An interdisciplinary Ph.D. in art history and classical archaeology may be worked out with advisers from both the art history and classics programs. Students in such a program would have to show proficiency in French, German, Greek, and Latin.
Rutgers' library system, with holdings of almost 3 million volumes, ranks among the top public university research libraries in North America. As a member of the Research Libraries Group, Rutgers offers students ready access to the collections of many other distinguished research libraries nationwide. In addition to library facilities, a variety of ongoing scholarly activities enrich advanced study in classics at Rutgers.
Rutgers offers a variety of assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships to qualified students with strong records of academic achievement and scholarly promise. The Graduate School-New Brunswick administers major fellowships that carry tuition remission and stipends of up to $18,000 annually for up to four years. Many other forms of financial aid are available. Students should submit their application by March 1 to be considered for the fall term.
Application forms are available from Rutgers' Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions, 18 Bishop Place, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-8530 (telephone 732 932-7711). Applicants must submit results of the general test of the Graduate Record Examination. The deadline for admission to the fall term is May 1; for the spring term, Dec. 1; and for the summer term, April 1. For on-line and downloadable applications, go to http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu.
Director, Graduate Program in Classics
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
131 George Street
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-1414
Telephone: (732) 932-9797, Fax: (732) 932-9246
classics@rci.rutgers.edu