MA IN CLASSICAL STUDIES

Classical Studies master's student joining class on her laptop.

The MA in Classical Studies at Villanova University offers three possible tracks:

  • Greek/Latin
  • Latin
  • Classical Culture

Courses are offered online in which students join the professor through web-conferencing platforms.
 

PROGRAM DETAILS

  • Ten courses: Literature courses (including two literature surveys) and culture courses
  • Classical Language Translation Exam: Prose and poetry (choice of passages) [for Greek/Latin or Latin tracks]
  • Classical Literature Essay Exam: Essays on Greek and Latin literature [for Classical Culture track]
  • Modern Language Exam (optional): Excerpts of classical scholarship in French, Germa, or Italian (dictionary allowed;  choice of passages)
  • Research Portfolio: (1) two literature survey papers, (2) special topic paper [papers written in conjunction with courses]

Courses to Fit Your Schedule

All courses are fully online, held once a week in the evenings (5:20 p.m. EST or later) to fit your schedule.

Sample Course Offerings

Classics Courses

  • Greek Art & Archaeology
  • Roman Art & Archaeology
  • Pompeii & Herculaneum
  • Greece & Rome in Art and Culture
  • Gender & Sexuality in Ancient Greece & Rome

Ancient Greek Courses

  • History of Greek Literature
  • Homer
  • Plato
  • Greek Historians
  • Attic Orators
  • Greek Tragedy
  • Greek Comedy

Latin Courses

  • History of Latin Literature
  • Latin Prose Composition
  • Cicero
  • Caesar
  • Suetonius
  • Tacitus
  • Vergil
  • Catullus
  • Ovid
  • Horace
  • Roman Drama

     

       

Ready for the Next Step?

Classical Studies Program 
SAC Rm. 304
Villanova University
800 Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085

Director of Classical Studies: 
Dr. Valentina DeNardis

DEADLINES

February 1: For admission with funding consideration for the fall

August 1: For admission without funding for the fall

December 1: For admission without funding for the spring

May 1: for admission without funding for the summer

If you have missed a deadline, please contact Dr. Valentina DeNardis to discuss your options.

Begin Your Application.

    

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Megan Quinn '21 MA standing in front of the Colosseum

Meghan Quinn '21 MA

"As a teacher taking graduate classes in the evening, Villanova has been very accommodating to my needs. If I am ever required to attend events such as parent-teacher conferences, back-to-school night or a district board meeting, my professors have been very understanding and allow me to conveniently view whatever I missed online. Program director Dr. Valentina DeNardis has made the master’s program a pioneer in in the online/hybrid format, and she has done a superb job in incorporating the most modern technology in such an ancient field of study. I have translated ancient texts with students tuning in from states as far away as Massachusetts, Minnesota and Texas. At Villanova, I study with the most outstanding professors and students with a passion for the Classics. I highly recommend this program without any reservation." Learn more about Classical Studies careers.