MA in Classics (Thesis); After June 2026

Required Courses (21 Credits)

Thesis Courses (18 credits)

CLAS 695 M.A. Thesis Proposal (6 credits)
CLAS 696 M.A. Thesis Research (6 credits)

CLAS 698 M.A. Thesis Submission (6 credits)

CLAS 685 Methods Seminar (3 credits)

 

Complementary Courses (24 credits)

Research Seminar (3-6 credits)

CLAS 500 Classics Seminar (3 credits)

HIST 550 D1/D2 Ancient History: Seminar (6 credits)

 

Language Courses (6-21 credits)

Intermediate Language (0-6 credits)

CLAS 609 Intensive Latin Review (3 credits)

CLAS 619 Intensive Ancient Greek Review (3 credits)

Permission of the Classics Program Advisor is required to enroll in these courses. May be taken only one time each.

 

Advanced Language (6-21 credits)

CLAS 610 Readings in Latin Literature (3 credits)

CLAS 612 Topics in Latin Literature (3 credits)

CLAS 620 Readings in Ancient Greek Literature (3 credits)

CLAS 622 Topics in Ancient Greek Literature (3 credits)

Advanced Language courses can be repeated for credit.

 

Additional Courses (0-15 credits)

Students are limited to six (6) credits of “Methods” complementary courses.

CLAS 500 Classics Seminar (3 credits)

CLAS 605 Methods in Latin Literature in Translation (3 credits)

CLAS 606 Methods in Ancient Greek Literature in Translation (3 credits)

CLAS 607 Research in Latin Literature in Translation (3 credits)

CLAS 608 Research in Ancient Greek Literature in Translation (3 credits)

CLAS 631 Methods in Ancient Mediterranean Religion 1 (3

credits)

CLAS 632 Methods in Ancient Mediterranean Religion 2 (3

credits)

CLAS 633 Research in Ancient Mediterranean Religion (3 credits)

CLAS 646 Methods in Classical Archaeology 1 (3 credits)

CLAS 647 Methods in Classical Archaeology 2 (3 credits)

CLAS 648 Research in Classical Archaeology (3 credits)

CLAS 649 Archaeology Fieldwork Italy (3 credits)

CLAS 650 Seminar in Classical Studies (3 credits)

CLAS 653 Methods in Classical Reception 1 (3 credits)

CLAS 654 Methods in Classical Reception 2 (3 credits)

CLAS 655 Research in Classical Reception (3 credits)

CLAS 699 Tutorial (3 credits)

HIST 550 D1/D2 Ancient History: Seminar (6 credits)

HIST 607 Seminar: Ancient History (3 credits)

HIST 617 Ancient History Research Methods (3 credits)

PHIL 650 Seminar: Ancient Philosophy 1 (3 credits)

PHIL 651 Seminar: Ancient Philosophy 2 (3 credits)

PHIL 740 Guided Research: Ancient Philosophy 1 (3 credits)

PHIL 741 Guided Research: Ancient Philosophy 2 (3 credits)

 

Or 3 credits offered by another department, at the 500 or 600 level, with permission from the Classical Studies Committee and permission of the course's instructor.

 

MA in Classics (Thesis); Prior to June 2026

The M.A. in Classics (Thesis) emphasizes the writing of a major research project. This program is designed for students who are already highly proficient in ancient languages, have a strong foundation in classical studies, and can work independently. This program is designed to be completed in three terms, though many students prefer to complete it in two years.

Thesis Courses (24 credits)

CLAS 695 M.A. Thesis Proposal (6 credits)
CLAS 696 M.A. Thesis Research 1 (6 credits)
CLAS 697 M.A. Thesis Research 2 (6 credits)
CLAS 698 M.A. Thesis Submission (6 credits)

Required Courses (6 credits)

CLAS 500 Classics Seminar (3 credits)
CLAS 685 Methods Seminar (3 credits)
Complementary Courses (15 credits)

12 credits of 600-level Ancient Greek and Latin courses as follows.

3-9 credits from the following:

CLAS 610 Readings in Latin Literature (3 credits) *
CLAS 612 Topics in Latin Literature (3 credits) *
*Note: These courses may be taken in more than one term under different topics.

3-9 credits from the following:

CLAS 620 Readings in Ancient Greek Literature (3 credits) *
CLAS 622 Topics in Ancient Greek Literature (3 credits) *
*Note: These courses may be taken in more than one term under different topics.

3 credits of Classics (CLAS) or Classics-related courses (500-level or higher). Classics-related courses must be chosen in consultation with the student's supervisor.

 

MA in History

Students may complete a master's degree with a focus on ancient Greek or Roman history (or a related area of history) by fulfilling the requirements of the MA Program in History (thesis option), ideally fulfilling course requirements with graduate courses relevant to the history of ancient Greece and Rome. The MA in History with focus on Ancient History is ideal as a "terminal" program, for students who do not plan to continue on to a PhD program in ancient history. Students who wish to prepare for a PhD program in ancient history are strongly encouraged to apply to the MA in Classics program.

For detailed information on MA History program requirements and application procedures, please visit the Department of History and Classical Studies' MA Program in History page.

PhD in History (focus on Ancient History)

Students may complete a doctoral degree in History with focus on ancient Greece and/or Rome by fulfilling the requirements of the PhD Program in History under the supervision of a professor in Classical Studies, which includes writing a dissertation on a topic in Greek and/or Roman history.

Students must fulfill the necessary requirements for the program PhD History, as stipulated on the Department of History and Classical Studies PhD Program webpage. In addition, students completing doctoral research in Ancient History are expected to complete their program according to the following guidelines:

Program

Doctoral students must complete twelve credits of graduate coursework. All doctoral students must take HIST 701 (3 credits). The remaining nine credits may be taken at McGill or elsewhere. Students may count up to nine credits of courses completed previously toward the program. PhD students in Ancient History are strongly encouraged to complete some graduate level courses in ancient Greek and/or Latin (e.g. CLAS 610, 612, 620, 622). These courses will help Ancient History students prepare for their comprehensive exams and satisfy their language requirements.

Comprehensive Examinations

Students in the PhD History program must pass comprehensive examinations in one Major field and two Minor fields. Students in Ancient History will be expected to complete their major field in Ancient History (Greek and Roman History). Their minor fields will typically be chosen from the following list: Greek Language and Literature, Latin Language and Literature, Classical Archaeology. Ancient History students must complete at least one minor field in language and literature. Ancient History students are expected to complete comprehensive exams by the end of their second year (PhD 3).

Foreign Language Requirements

PhD students in History are required to pass one foreign language exam (completed by the end of year PhD 3), and should have reading proficiency in any additional foreign languages necessary to conduct research in their field. PhD students in Ancient History must demonstrate proficiency minimally in four languages: ancient Greek, Latin, French and German. Additional research languages (such as Italian, Greek, Spanish) may also be required depending on the student’s research area.

One language requirement, typically French, will be satisfied by the obligatory foreign language exam. The other three obligatory language requirements may be satisfied by translation examination, exemplary marks (A or A-) in advanced/graduate language courses, certificates from language instruction centers (e.g. Goethe Institute), or some other demonstration of proficiency. The supervisor will submit a letter of attestation that the student meets necessary language requirements.

Additional Information

Students should consult the graduate section of the Department of History and Classical Studies website for additional information on the PhD program requirements and application procedures: www.mcgill.ca/history/graduate/phd

PhD in History (focus on Ancient History)

Students may complete a doctoral degree in History with focus on ancient Greece and/or Rome by fulfilling the requirements of the PhD Program in History under the supervision of a professor in Classical Studies, which includes writing a dissertation on a topic in Greek and/or Roman history. 

Students must fulfill the necessary requirements for the program PhD History, as stipulated on the Department of History and Classical Studies PhD Program webpage. In addition, students completing doctoral research in Ancient History are expected to complete their program according to the following guidelines:

Program

Doctoral students must complete twelve credits of graduate coursework. All doctoral students must take HIST 701 (3 credits). The remaining nine credits may be taken at McGill or elsewhere. Students may count up to nine credits of courses completed previously toward the program. PhD students in Ancient History are strongly encouraged to complete some graduate level courses in ancient Greek and/or Latin (e.g. CLAS 610, 612, 620, 622). These courses will help Ancient History students prepare for their comprehensive exams and satisfy their language requirements. 

Comprehensive Examinations

Students in the PhD History program must pass comprehensive examinations in one Major field and two Minor fields. Students in Ancient History will be expected to complete their major field in Ancient History (Greek and Roman History). Their minor fields will typically be chosen from the following list:  Greek Language and Literature, Latin Language and Literature, Classical Archaeology. Ancient History students must complete at least one minor field in language and literature. Ancient History students are expected to complete comprehensive exams by the end of their second year (PhD 3).

Foreign Language Requirements 

PhD students in History are required to pass one foreign language exam (completed by the end of year PhD 3), and should have reading proficiency in any additional foreign languages necessary to conduct research in their field. PhD students in Ancient History must demonstrate proficiency minimally in four languages: ancient Greek, Latin, French and German. Additional research languages (such as Italian, Greek, Spanish) may also be required depending on the student’s research area.

One language requirement, typically French, will be satisfied by the obligatory foreign language exam. The other three obligatory language requirements may be satisfied by translation examination, exemplary marks (A or A-) in advanced/graduate language courses, certificates from language instruction centers (e.g. Goethe Institute), or some other demonstration of proficiency. The supervisor will submit a letter of attestation that the student meets necessary language requirements. 

Additional Information

Students should consult the graduate section of the Department of History and Classical Studies website for additional information on the PhD program requirements and application procedures: www.mcgill.ca/history/graduate/phd