The following constitutes introductory information regarding the graduate degree program. For a complete outline of degree requirements, see Program Requirements for UCLA Graduate Degrees available in the program office and accessible from the Graduate Division homepage at http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu.
Requirements for admission to the Master of Arts programs are a UCLA B.A. degree, or the equivalent, with a major in classics for the Classics M.A., Greek for the Greek M.A., or Latin for the Latin M.A.; a grade-point average of at least 3.0 in the major; a statement of purpose; three letters of recommendation, normally from previous instructors in the classics; and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Applicants for the Classics M.A. program who are deficient in Greek or Latin may be admitted to the Greek or Latin program, then permitted to transfer into the classics program when the deficiencies have been removed.
The department offers M.A. degrees in Classics (Greek and Latin), Greek, and Latin.
The courses presented for the Classics M.A. must include (1) Classics 287, (2) Greek or Latin 210, and (3) any five of 200A-200B-200C-series courses. Courses for the Greek M.A. are (1) Classics 287, (2) Greek 210, and (3) Greek 200A-200B-200C. Courses for the Latin M.A. are (1) Classics 287, (2) Latin 210, (3) Latin 200A-200B-200C. The six-unit 200A-200B-200C courses test the appropriate part of the departmental reading lists in a one-hour translation examination. The remaining courses are to be selected in consultation with the graduate adviser.
No more than two half seminars, each counting as two units, may be applied toward the M.A. course requirements. No more than one course in the 500 series may be applied toward the M.A. course requirements.
No more than one 596 course may be applied toward the M.A. course requirements.
The department follows the comprehensive examination plan. Before the examination, students are expected to complete the departmental reading lists in Greek authors for the Greek M.A., or Latin authors for the Latin M.A., or in Greek and Latin authors for the Classics M.A. The examination consists of a three-hour written test in Greek and Latin literature (Greek for Greek M.A., Latin for Latin M.A., Greek and Latin for Classics M.A.) in two parts: (1) passages for translation at sight and for generic identification and comparison; (2) an essay question combining periods kept separate in the 200A-200B-200C courses (for Classics M.A., combining Greek and Latin). It is to be taken no later than one quarter after the fulfillment of the M.A. course requirements. It may be repeated once, in the quarter following the first attempt; in exceptional cases and with the consent of the departmental faculty, more than once. For admission into the Ph.D. program, a grade of B+ or better is required.
None.
A UCLA M.A. degree in Classics, Greek, or Latin with a comprehensive examination grade of B+ or better, or an equivalent degree from another university is required.
In addition to an M.A. degree, the department requires a statement of purpose. If applicants do not have a UCLA M.A., they must also submit three letters of recommendation, normally from previous instructors in the classics, and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. While there is no minimum required score, the GRE is used as a criterion in uncertain cases, and to assess applications for teaching assistantships and other financial assistance from the department. The application may be obtained by writing to the department.
The department offers the Ph.D. in Classics with major fields in classical literature and philology; classical linguistics; Byzantine Greek; and medieval Latin.
Classical Literature and Philology. M.A. degree holders in Greek only or Latin only must take two 200A-200B-200C courses in the other language. In addition, five (or more) 200-series courses are required of all Ph.D. students, including Greek 210 and Latin 210 unless taken previously. Required courses, except for Greek 210 and Latin 210, are in addition to those taken for the M.A.
Classical Linguistics. M.A. degree holders in Greek only or Latin only must complete the Classics M.A. course requirements by taking two 200A-200B-200C courses in the other language. A minimum of five (full) seminars is required for this major field: Classics 180 (or an equivalent undergraduate or graduate course taken at UCLA or elsewhere), Classics 240, Greek 242, 243, Latin 242, and either Classics 230A-230B or one quarter of Vedic (Indic M222A, presupposing three quarters of upper division classical Sanskrit).
Byzantine Greek. M.A. degree holders in Greek only or Latin only must complete the Classics M.A. course requirements by taking 200A-200B-200C courses in the other language. A minimum of five (full) seminars from the following is required for this major field: Greek 210, at least two seminars from 231A-231B-231C, 240A-240B, 245, History 216A-216B.
Medieval Latin. M.A. degree holders in Greek only or Latin only must complete the Classics M.A. course requirements by taking 200A-200B-200C courses in the other language. A minimum of five (full) seminars is required from the following for this major field: Latin 130 or 120, 131, 133 (or equivalent undergraduate or graduate courses taken at UCLA or elsewhere); Latin 210; at least two seminars from Latin 231A-231B, 243 or 219A or History 219B; Greek 231A or 231B or 231C (or an upper division medieval language course such as French 115A, 115B, 115C, German 122, Italian 113A, 113B, 114A, 114B, 190, Spanish M118A, M118B, 122, 123, or an equivalent undergraduate or graduate course taken at UCLA or elsewhere); History 217.
Most classics, Greek, and Latin seminars may be taken in one of two ways: (1) as full seminars, with the requirement of a final paper (or an equivalent workload, such as a final examination, as designated by the instructor) to be presented to the instructor and assessed as part of the final grade; full seminars carry four units, with a regular letter grade or (2) as half seminars, requiring full participation in the course but no paper (or equivalent as described above). Half seminars carry two units and are normally taken for an S/U grade only, except that arrangements may be made with the instructor beforehand, at the instructor's discretion, for a letter grade to be given.
The major fields have separate reading lists. All lists include the reading list in Greek and in Latin authors for the M.A. in Classics. The major fields have the following examination structure:
Classical Literature and Philology: (1) Two one and one-half hour translation examinations, one in Greek, one in Latin, which may be taken concurrently or separately, consisting of passages from the Ph.D. reading list and other literature (M.A. degree holders in Greek only or Latin only take an additional two-hour examination in sight translation from the other language); (2) a 15- to 22-page research paper on a field or author of the student's choosing outside the area of the student's specialization (submitted either before or after the comprehensive examination); (3) a written three-hour examination in the area of the student's specialization and prospective dissertation topic.
Classical Linguistics: (1) A written three-hour translation examination in classical Greek or Latin (half from reading list and half at sight); (2) a written three-hour examination consisting of passages of ancient texts covered in the required course, for translation and comment; (3) a two-hour written examination in comparative grammar.
Byzantine Greek: (1) A written three-hour translation examination in classical Greek (half from the reading list and half at sight); (2) a written three-hour examination on Byzantine Greek (translation from reading list, sight translation, questions pertaining to the list of recommended secondary literature).
Medieval Latin: (1) A written three-hour translation examination in classical Latin (half from the reading list and half at sight); (2) a written three-hour examination on medieval Latin (translation from reading list, sight translation, questions pertaining to the list of recommended secondary literature).
Each qualifying examination may normally be retaken twice. Promptly on the completion of the last qualifying examination, the University Oral Qualifying Examination is administered by the doctoral committee, probing the candidate's knowledge of the major field (and possible stipulated areas outside the specialization) and discussing a formal dissertation proposal.