Classics
Students in the Graduate Center's Classics Program investigate how the study of the ancient world and its legacies can contribute to humanistic inquiry and the public good.
Request InformationDegree Offered
Ph.D. in Classics
Full-time
Two concentrations
M.A. in Classics
Full-time/Part-time
Admissions Deadlines
Deadline for Fall Enrollment
Ph.D. – January 1
M.A. – April 15
The Graduate Center's Classics Program:
- Offers a broad-ranging M.A. and Ph.D. Classics curriculum at CUNY, New York City's public university, that draws on faculty from six CUNY campuses as well as affiliated GC programs in Philosophy, Comparative Literature, History, Art History, Anthropology, Medieval Studies, the MA in Liberal Studies, and Global Early Modern Studies, along with ties to the CUNY Summer Latin/Greek Institute; and participates in a Classics Consortium with New York University and Fordham University.
- Fosters an inclusive climate and a diverse cohort of students, including those who have historically been underrepresented in the Classics field.
- Encourages innovative student research by allowing autonomy and flexibility in dissertation work, while providing a solid foundation in ancient languages and history through courses and exams.
- Prepares students for a range of careers within and beyond the university through substantive teaching opportunities among the racially, culturally, and socio-economically diverse CUNY undergraduate campuses; professional development via research support and shared governance; and the Graduate Center's expertise in careers outside the academy.
Focus on Teaching and Research
The Classics Program prioritizes professional development and experience in the areas of advanced teaching and research skills. The program facilitates adjust instructor placements and offers teacher training courses for students interested in pursuing a teaching career, and encourages interdisciplinary research via required dissertation and thesis projects which are conducted in close collaboration with the program’s expert faculty.
Contribute to the Conversation
Students in the Ph.D. program conduct original research that they present at professional conferences all over the world. In recent years, students have presented or published papers via the Society for Classical Studies, the Classical Association of the Midwest and South, the Classical Association of the Atlantic States, the Classical Association of New England, and in other scholarly settings such as Newcastle University (UK) and the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.
Ethics and Responsibility
Crucial facets of graduate-level study in Classics at The Graduate Center are a commitment to ethical practices in teaching and research, a consideration of the role that Classics study plays in our broader culture, and a focus on diversifying the field and our understanding of it. We seek students willing and eager to ask difficult questions, explore complicated topics, and contribute positively to the field at large.
Fund your education
The Classics Program works actively to match students with appropriate sources of financial support. Incoming Ph.D. students are automatically considered for five-year fellowships offered by The Graduate Center, and all students can pursue additional fellowships, grants and awards to help defray costs associated with their research or other academic activities.
Student FundingLatest News
Aug 17, 2023
Professor Gail T. Smith-Keizer, a Classicist Who Broke Down Barriers to the Professoriate, Dies at 85
A beloved teacher, she spearheaded programs that help students from diverse backgrounds prepare for doctorates and academic careers.
- GC Stories
- Faculty News
- In Memoriam
Jun 29, 2023
Ronnie Ancona Wins Distinguished Service Award from the American Classical League
Classics scholar is recognized for her research, teaching, and leadership.
- GC Stories
- Faculty News
Aug 11, 2022
Returning to CUNY to Fulfill a Dream Deferred
A Hunter College graduate long aspired to have a doctorate and write a book.
- GC Stories
- Student News
Feb 28, 2022
Celebrating Trailblazers and Scholars Who Amplify Women’s History
From the first dean to the first graduate, the Graduate Center was shaped by women trailblazers.
- Alumni News
- Faculty News
- Student News
- GC Stories
Upcoming Events
Request Information
Tell me more about this degree!
Thank you for your interest in the Graduate Center. Please fill out the form below to be added to our mailing list.
