Graduates of this program are expected to have acquired a range and depth of knowledge of antiquity that will provide the basis for innovative scholarship as well as for professional careers in university or college teaching and in other positions that require a background in humanities. Students may choose to concentrate on Greek or Latin, but normally a student must achieve and demonstrate competence in both languages. The department encourages combined or comparative programs of study designed to take advantage of Boston University's offerings in such other areas as the Romance languages, comparative studies in literature and the arts program, archaeology, and philosophy, as well as the possibilities provided by cross-registration in the Boston Area Graduate School Consortium. In addition to the bachelor's degree or its equivalent, a fundamental requirement for admission to the program is evidence that the student will be able to make use of the classical languages at the graduate level. Every student takes a diagnostic examination in the comprehension of the classical languages during the first semester of the graduate career.
Students typically concentrate in either Latin or Greek.
One course in Greek or Roman art or archaeology is recommended. Students who wish to take more than two courses from related departments must receive approval from the director of graduate studies. With the consent of the department, another language may be substituted. Students entering with an MA or the equivalent in classics may be admitted with advanced standing to the Post-Master's PhD Program. The exact number of courses depends on how closely the student's prior work parallels the PhD course requirements.