Simultaneous B.A./M.A. Program in Classics

Yale allows undergraduates of extraordinary ability to, with the permission of the Department of Classics, Yale College, and the Graduate School, complete simultaneous BA and MA degrees in the Department of Classics in four years. Please review the program details and contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies if you have questions or would like to discuss applying.

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To be eligible to apply, students must have completed all regular requirements for the undergraduate Classics major and must:

  • Have earned A or A- grades in at least three-quarters of the courses used to satisfy the B.A. major requirements before applying and
  • Have demonstrated strong performance in at least one graduate-level Classics/Greek/Latin seminar.

Students should carefully follow the instructions set out by Yale College to determine eligibility. The general regulations and requirements for the program are published under Special Academic Arrangements in the Academic Regulations in the YCPS. 

Students apply to the program using the “Simultaneous Award of Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees Petition” located on the University Registrar’s “Forms” page. A student is expected to consult carefully with both the DUS and the DGS of the Department of Classics before applying. The deadline for students to submit this application to the DUS is 5:00 p.m. ET on the last day of classes in their fifth term of enrollment (ordinarily the end of the fall term of the junior year). To ensure equity and consistency across all participating departments, this deadline is strictly enforced by Yale College.

The Committee on the Simultaneous Award of the Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees ordinarily reviews applications once all final grades for the fifth term have been submitted. Students are officially recognized as candidates for two degrees only after approval and admission by both the Department of Classics and the Yale College committee. Simultaneous award candidates must petition the Graduate School for the award of the master’s degree by the deadline published in the Graduate School Bulletin.

To receive the MA, accepted students must:

  • Maintain a strong overall GPA,
  • Successfully complete eight graduate-level courses at the 5000-level or above in Classics, Greek, or Latin,
  • Remain in good standing in all graduate-level seminars, which will typically include advanced graduate language coursework in Greek and/or Latin,
  • Earn at least two grades of Honors, and
  • Maintain an average of High Pass in all graduate courses.

Questions?

For questions, please reach out to the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Email the DUS

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