Requirements

Students must complete at least 40 courses (160 credits).

Students begin graduate-level work in the third and fourth years of the undergraduate program by taking necessary Greek and Latin courses in Classics and electives at the graduate level in the Archaeology Program. To enter the fifth (MA) year, students must have completed at least four semesters of both ancient Greek and Latin as well as completed all requirements of the BA in Classics & Archaeology. To enter the fifth (MA) year of the program, students must have a GPA of 3.5 or above in Classics & Archaeology courses, as well as in all other courses which relate to the ancient Mediterranean world.

Successful completion of the program requires an additional 8 graduate-level courses (= 32 credits) in Classics & Archaeology or in related disciplines with an advisor’s permission. One 500- or 600-level class may count toward both the BA and MA, reducing the number of additional MA courses to seven.

All courses for the MA must be passed with a grade of B– or better.

Specific requirements beyond those for the BA in Classics & Archaeology are:

  • Two courses in ancient Greek or Latin above the 500 level.
  • The following three courses:
    • CAS AR 591 Theory in Archaeology (AR891 prior to Fall 2023)
    • CAS AR 592 Archaeological Ethics and Law (AR480 or AR892 prior to Fall 2023)
    • CAS AR 594 Scientific Applications in Archaeology (AR 894 prior to Fall 2023)
    • CAS AR 595 Professional Futures in Archaeology
    • Three electives at the graduate level in consultation with an advisor. One of these electives may be a Directed Study for the purposes of completing a master’s project. This project should include original research or comprise examples of professional development, such as course syllabi, a museum display plan, or a cultural heritage management plan.

    Learning Outcomes

    Students with a Master of Art in Classics & Archaeology will be able to:

    1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the history and material culture of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East.
    2. Read with comprehension works of ancient Greek and Latin writers and demonstrate an understanding of genre, style, and cultural context.
    3. Demonstrate an understanding of the material variety of the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East as well as their influence on peoples and places of subsequent historical periods.
    4. Communicate these understandings clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing.
    5. Produce and defend an original contribution to knowledge.
    6. Conduct scholarly activities in an ethical manner.

    Application and Admission

    As stated on the GRS website, application deadlines are as follows:

    • November 30th, for admission beginning in the following spring semester;
    • April 20th, for admission beginning in the following fall semester.

    The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences will make an admissions decision upon receiving a recommendation from the Archaeology, and send an official letter of notification at that time.

    Students must consult both the Archaeology Program, below, and  Department of Classical Studies advisors.

    Archaeology Graduate Studies Administrators

    Catherine F. West

    Research Associate Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology, Director of Graduate Studies & Admissions

    cfwest@bu.edu

    Maria H. Sousa

    Administrator of the Archaeology Program & Journal of Field Archaeology

    mhsousa@bu.edu