Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Classics PhD program at Washington University in St. Louis is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field of Classics, including the study of ancient languages, literature, history, and culture. The program requires 60 graduate units of courses and research in combination, with up to 15 units transferable from an outside MA program in Classics.

Degree Requirements

• Total Units Required: 60
• Degree Length: 6 academic years
• Grade Requirement: Students must obtain a minimum grade of B- in graduate courses for them to count toward the degree.
• Students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

PhD in Classics

The Classics PhD requires 60 graduate units of courses and research in combination. With the guidance of the director of graduate studies, students may take up to 12 units outside of the Classics department to enhance their graduate study. Students may choose to pursue one of four special interdisciplinary specializations: Ancient Performance, Ancient Music, Ancient History, or Ancient Philosophy.

Courses

• Total units required: 60 units, including the following:
  • Specific required courses: 12 units
    • CLASSICS 5030 Classical Studies: Theories, Methods & Practice
    • CLASSICS 5050 Seminar in Classics Pedagogy for Graduate Students
    • GREEK 5451 Greek Prose Composition
    • LATIN 5441 Latin Prose Composition
  • Other course requirements: 27 units
    • At least 12 units in Greek
    • At least 12 units in Latin
    • At least 3 units in ancient history
  • Elective courses: 21 units

Research Credits

While writing a master's thesis, PhD students may enroll in 0, 3, or 6 research credits.

Program Exams

• Greek Reading List
• Latin Reading List
• Comprehensive Exam
• Special Field Exam

Teaching

100 MER (Mentored Experience Requirement) units are required, to be completed during the second, third, and fourth years.

Modern Language Competence

This competence can be in German and French or in German and Italian. The requirement may be fulfilled by courses or examination in each case.

Dissertation Requirements

• Dissertation prospectus
• Dissertation prospectus colloquium
• Dissertation
• Dissertation defense

Qualifying Examinations

Progress toward the PhD is contingent upon the student passing examinations that are variously called preliminary, qualifying, general, comprehensive, or major field exams.

Mentored Experience Requirements

Doctoral students at Washington University must complete a department-defined Mentored Experience. The Mentored Experience Requirement is a doctoral degree requirement that is notated on the student’s transcript when complete.

Philosophy of Teaching

The Classics department takes pride in its commitment to pedagogy and teacher training. The skills gained in our Mentored Teaching Experiences (MTEs) are essential for our PhD graduates looking to pursue careers in secondary or higher education.

Preparatory Engagement

Preparatory Engagement activities are those that represent an introduction to the foundational skills associated with teaching or communication. Classics requires three Preparatory Engagement activities:

1. Center for Teaching and Learning's teaching orientation
2. Departmental teaching orientation
3. Departmental course in pedagogy: Classics 5050

Mentored Teaching Experiences (MTEs)

Assistant in Instruction (AI)

An Assistant in Instruction (AI) is a PhD student who is directly engaged in the organization, instruction, and/or support of a semester-long course primarily taught by a faculty member.

Mentored Independent Teaching (MIT)

MIT is a semester-long experience for PhD students who engage as the primary instructor or co-instructor of a course under the mentorship of a faculty member as part of the MER.

Required Pathways for Completion

Students work with their faculty mentor and their Director of Graduate Studies to plan how and when they will complete their MERs. Students register during the normal registration period for courses in accordance with one of these approved pathways.