joint programs in Classics and Ancient History (MA)

[Parnassus]

Hey guys:

 

I am looking to expand my list of possible schools. I'm looking for programs that combine in The Classics and Ancient History. Ideally along the lines of Indiana University's program. Any thoughts? Also anyone had any experience with Indiana University's program?

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Can you give a bit of background info on you as a student? Do you have experience in the ancient languages, and how much? Because you posted the link to IU's program I'm going to assume that you are aiming to apply to MA programs, and not PhD programs - am I correct? I just graduated with a BA in history (my university dissolved the classics program a few years ago) and will be starting a MA program in Classics in the fall. Indiana was originally on my list but I ended up not applying because they don't offer funding to their MA students in the history&ancient languages program. So this is something else you have to consider - are you willing to pay for your education? If you are, I also suggest applying to a few post-Bacc programs just to have options. If you aren't, you still have a decent list of schools to apply to that offer funding: University of Georgia, University of Arizona, Florida State, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Tulane, Kansas, Tufts - I'm sure there are others that I'm missing.

 

On the MA level you are going to be hard pressed to find something like a joint program in history and classics. Though Arizona and FSU offer different "tracks" for their MA students (literature, archaeology, history/civ, etc.), most MA programs seem to focus on the languages. This isn't a bad thing though - assuming that your goal is to study the ancient world in a historical way in a PhD program, whether in a history department, classics department, or some type of joint program, you still need plenty of experience with the languages and the MA (or post-bacc) can only help your chances. 

Edited May 19, 2013 by vandelayindustries

[Parnassus]

Sure: 

 

I majored in history and took Latin for four years (b's and c's) took Greek for a year and got an A. And yes you are correct in assuming that I will be looking into MA-only programs.

[Parnassus]

I'm confused why you took Indiana off your list. From the link above:
 

The Department of History, the College of Arts & Sciences, and the University Graduate School provide multiyear financial support for the vast majority of students admitted at the M.A. and Ph.D. levels. Students are considered for these awards through the normal application process and do NOT make a separate application. Funding is also available for foreign language study. Students interested in applying for the Foreign Language Area Studies Fellowships will need to complete application with the individual area study program. Graduate applicants interested in Jewish Studies should check here for information on Jewish Studies graduate fellowships.

Perhaps, you're better at reading between the lines than I am. Or, are the keywords to look for "guaranteed funding"? In response to vandelayindustries: it doesn't necessarily have to be a combo program, but Indiana looked promising!

Edited May 22, 2013 by Parnassus

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I'm confused why you took Indiana off your list. From the link above:

 

Perhaps, you're better at reading between the lines than I am. Or, are the keywords to look for "guaranteed funding"? In response to vandelayindustries: it doesn't necessarily have to be a combo program, but Indiana looked promising!

I was in contact with one of the professors there before I started applying to schools and he told me that they do not fund any students in the ancient history MA. 

 

You should consider all of those schools I listed in my first post. Arizona (http://classics.arizona.edu/graduate_program) and FSU (http://classics.fsu.edu/Program/Graduate-Program) are both large MA programs and fund most, if not all, of their MA students. Both of these schools have a history/civ track for the MA program. Keep in mind that you will still be able to take history/civ courses in all those other programs, too, even though the focus is on the languages. I would suggest you contact the Director of Graduate Studies at all the programs you are thinking of applying to and express your interest in the program and your desire to continue your studies in ancient history while you gain more experience with the languages (and also include this in your SOP). Ask about the possibilities of studying history in that program, etc.

 

As I was typing this I remembered that Washington U in St. Louis, Colorado - Boulder, and Iowa also have MA programs that are worth looking into.

[Parnassus]

Thanks for replaying. As I began looking around, many MA's offered a history track plus languages.