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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.
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tight focus photo of ancient greek statues with a blue overlay

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.

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Degree 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.
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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.

photo of ancient greek statuary columns

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.

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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.

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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 Funding

Latest News

Upcoming Events

Friday, October 27, 2023

Classics Program Open House

Join us and learn about the CUNY Graduate Center's Classics Program. This is a hybrid event, taking place at the CUNY Graduate Center, Room 3114, and online via Zoom.

1:00 pm — 3:00 pm

Hybrid (see description for details)

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

What is Decolonizing Classics?

This event is part of the GC CUNY Classics Program Lecture Series. This is a hybrid event, taking place at the CUNY Graduate Center, Room 4422, and online.

5:00 pm

Hybrid (see description for details)

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Contact Us

Rachel Kousser

Executive Officer and Professor, Classics; Professor, Art History

Artemida Tesho

Assistant Program Officer, Classics