Program Overview

Master's Degree (MA) in Classics

The Master's Degree in Classics is a graduate program offered by the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at the University of Kentucky.

Program Overview

The M.A. program in Classics offers a degree with courses in Greek and Latin languages, literatures, and cultures, as well as allied offerings in ancient and medieval history, ancient and medieval philosophy, archaeology, and Greek and Roman art. The mission of the M.A. Program is to train classicists who would become Latin teachers, or who, having obtained a solid knowledge of the classical languages, would pursue a Ph.D. degree in Classics, History, Philosophy, Divinity, or other related fields.

Program Features

• A distinctive feature of UK Classics is the opportunity to study the Latin patrimony from antiquity until modern times.
• The Neo-Latin patrimony, in particular, provides infinite opportunities for study and research of the classical tradition in many fields and pertaining to many regions and populations.
• Students approach Latin as a living language of teaching, scholarly work, and communication with the classical authors and among themselves.
• The study of ancient Greek lays emphasis on the written production in the language through composition courses in both prose and verse.
• Seminars in Greek papyrology and paleography feature significant components focused on digital humanities and digital restoration of texts.
• Seminars in Greek historiography, epigraphy, and poetry round out the program's offerings.

Options

• Option A: Thesis requires completion of 30 semester credit hours of graduate work, six of which in CLA 768 (Residence Credit for Master’s Degree), the defense of a Master’s thesis, and an exit exam.
• Option B: Non-thesis requires completion of 30 semester credit hours of graduate work and an exit exam.

Program Details

• Offered by: College of Arts and Sciences
• Credit Hours: 30
• Credential: MA
• Tuition/Credit Hour:
  • Resident: $825.50
  • Non-Resident: $2,060.50

Admission Requirements

Please view the Graduate School's Admission Requirements. If there are Program Specific Requirements listed, those will also apply.

Application Requirements

Please view the application requirements for the Graduate School. If there are Program Specific Requirements listed, those will also apply.

Application Deadlines

Domestic Students

• Fall: 04/30/2026
• Spring: 12/12/2025

International Students

• Fall: 04/15/2026
• Spring: 09/15/2025

What You'll Learn

The M.A. program in Classics offers a degree with courses in Greek and Latin languages, literatures, and cultures, as well as allied offerings in ancient and medieval history, ancient and medieval philosophy, archaeology, Greek and Roman art, Early Christian studies, and Renaissance studies. The mission of the M.A. Program is to train classicists who would become Latin teachers, or who, having obtained a solid knowledge of the classical languages, would pursue a Ph.D. degree in Classics, History, Philosophy, Divinity, or other related fields.

Accelerated Pathway

This program is part of the Accelerated Master's Pathways program. If you plan to obtain a master's degree, AMP can save you time and money with dual credit hours by signing-up when you have earned between 60-105 credit hours as an undergraduate student at UK.

Funding Options

As a graduate student, there are additional opportunities for student funding. Once you are admitted into a degree-bearing graduate program at UK, you can apply for a wide variety of financial assistance, including assistantships and fellowships. These opportunities can be tied to your program’s availability, so you should inquire with your program director about opportunities available within your program.

In-State Tuition Rate

For residents of the states listed below, this program qualifies you to receive the University of Kentucky's in-state tuition rate through the Academic Common Marketplace.

• Alabama
• Delaware
• Tennessee

Student Involvement

Students who get involved in activities outside of the classroom tend to do better academically and develop meaningful relationships with others at UK. Our network of student organizations and activities has something for everyone, from academic to professional to fun.