greenmonk

Funny you mention anthropology because I was just looking at anthropology departments today. Wondering if there are any places I can get a dual MA that won't take me 4 years to complete. That way I would be able to diversify myself at the Masters level and focus in on Classical Archaeology specifically at the PhD level. Hmmmm....something to think about. Thanks for everyone's replies. They've all been helpful to me. If anyone has anything else to say, please speak up. And if you have any other suggestions for schools other than what's already been mentioned, please let me know.

Thanks for the concern everyone. I do realize what I am getting myself into. I've thought a lot about it. I don't have to have a TT position to be happy in the end. If I end up going that route and it works out....great! If not, it's still better than being stuck in a career I don't smile about every day. I'd rather spend the rest of my life making very little, but being happy rather than making a 6-figure salary and not being happy. At this point in my life, I just can't imagine working another 30 years being unhappy and unfulfilled. That's what I've learned over that last 10 years. Classical Archaeology has been and always will be my passion in life. I am ready and prepared to live in poverty for the next 10 years. I learned in college that I'm actually pretty good at living in poverty. It's really only been the last 4 years that I've lived like I actually make money. And yes, I do have some savings and a good amount in retirement already. And when I sell my house to start school in 3 years, hopefully I'll have even more money. It won't be tons, but it will be enough to get me through grad school. I also don't mind moving around. I don't have a family at this point in my life, so there is no one I am tied to. In the absolute worst case scenario where I would earn my PhD, not be able to find any kind of job and have to fall back on my 1st Masters....at least I have some amazing work experience on my resume that will get me a great paying job in the mean time. I would then just have to keep trying until I got something relating to Classics. I'm very determined to do this. Of course, anything can happen in 3 years, but my goal is to go back to school.

Ok...so I want to get my PhD in Classical Archaeology. I'm thinking with my background and current situation, going for the terminal MA first would be the best way for me to get into a PhD program. Here's why...I graduated with my BA in Classics in 2000. Yes, that long ago! I went to the University of Arizona as an undergraduate. After I graduated, I moved to DC and worked for a couple years and ended up getting my Masters in Public Policy in 2005. Since then, I've come to the conclusion that I am only happy studying classical archaeology and teaching people about ancient cultures. It's been a long and hard road, but I just can't work in a field that doesn't make me smile every day. That's where going to grad school (again!) comes in. I wouldn't be able to apply for three more years because of a three year commitment I made at work. That doesn't matter much anyways because I plan on taking the next three years to re-study Greek and Latin, plus take one year of German. It will take me three years to take that many classes. I'm lucky that here in DC I can always take accelerated Latin and Greek at Catholic University over the summers and take more intermediate classes during the regular semesters. I'll still be working full-time, so I'll only be able to take 1-2 classes a semester. At least that's my plan. Since I've been out of the game so long, I'm curious as to what schools you guys feel are top notch with their Classical Archaeology programs. I'm obviously going to apply to Arizona, but I don't know what other programs might help me get into a PhD program. After reading the forums here, I've looked at a post-bac at Georgetown, but feel that it wouldn't really do me any good since I only need to brush up on my languages. I've also looked at the Greek & Latin Certificate at Catholic University, but don't know if I want to spend that much money. The reason I don't think I need a post-bac is because during my undergrad I took 66 units of Classics courses (focusing on art and archaeology), which includes the Greek and Latin I took. Only 32 units were required for the major. I went a little Classics crazy! :-) Any advice would be appreciated. I already have the link for classicaljournal.org, so no need to tell me to go there. I'm checking it out right now. I'm just looking for some suggestions on top notch schools. I already have a generic email written to send to the potential programs which I will individualize as I send them. I just need to know who to look at and who I should probably contact.