MA in Classics & Archaeology

A Master of Arts in Classics & Archaeology is recommended for students who hope to pursue a PhD in Archaeology, Ancient History, Art History, or Classics; to move into cognate humanistic fields; or to pursue employment in fields where knowledge of classical and Near Eastern antiquity is valuable, such as museums, heritage management, historic preservation, and tourism. This degree will give students training in ancient Greek and Latin, archaeological methods and practices, and the study of ancient Mediterranean material culture, and will make them competitive for the best PhD programs in classics as well as classical archaeology, both in the United States and abroad. It will also allow students to apply for PhDs in cognate fields of art history, ancient history, and religion.

To enter the program, students must have completed four semesters of both ancient Greek and Latin.

Learning Outcomes

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

  • Demonstrate a broad understanding of the history and material culture of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East.
  • Read with comprehension works of ancient Greek and Latin writers and demonstrate an understanding of genre, style, and cultural context.
  • 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.
  • Communicate these understandings clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing.
  • Produce and defend an original contribution to knowledge.
  • Conduct scholarly activities in an ethical manner.

Requirements

To enter the program, students must have completed four semesters of both ancient Greek and Latin. Successful completion of the program requires 8 graduate-level courses (= 32 credits) in classics and archaeology or in related disciplines with an advisor’s permission. Courses must be passed with a grade of B– or better for credit. Specific requirements are:

  • Two courses in ancient Greek or Latin at or 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 (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.

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