Greek, Latin and Classical Studies Degree Requirements

For the M.A.

  • a minimum of six seminars
  • reading proficiency in Greek or Latin at M.A. level
    • Greek and Latin language exams for the M.A. and Ph.D. are set three times in each year, on uniform dates: the Thursday/Friday before classes start in each semester; and the Thursday/Friday after spring break (see Greek and Latin Language Exam Dates). We strongly recommend that new students take a diagnostic examination in at least one language as soon as they arrive at Bryn Mawr.
  • reading proficiency in either German, French or Italian
    • Modern language exams are set two times in each year, on uniform dates: the Thursday/Friday before classes start in the spring semester; and the Thursday/Friday after spring break (see Modern Language Exam Dates). Every exam is read by two faculty members in the student’s department. If considered marginal, then a member of the respective foreign language department may be consulted. The final decision will be made by the graduate department after discussion with the external reader.
  • M.A. paper
    • This should represent independent research, and will normally be of 40-60 pages in length. The M.A. paper is the most demanding of the requirements for the degree and provides the best introduction to sustained scholarly work. It differs from those written for seminars in that it is entirely on a topic of the student's own choosing and is an opportunity to move from first thoughts to a finished piece of scholarship through expansion, refinement and revision of ideas and materials. Some M.A. paper topics are "discovered" during seminars; others come independently. Some may prepare the way for the dissertation; others are self-contained. To arrive at either result the student works closely with an advisor, who oversees the project and offers advice and encouragement.
  • oral examination of one hour in the field of the M.A. paper

For the Ph.D.

  • minimum of 12 seminars [which includes those taken at M.A. level]. These must include at least one GSem.
  • reading proficiency in Greek and Latin at Ph.D. level
    • Greek and Latin language exams for the M.A. and Ph.D. are set three times in each year, on uniform dates: the Thursday/Friday before classes start in each semester; and the Thursday/Friday after spring break. We strongly recommend that new students take a diagnostic examination in at least one language as soon as they arrive at Bryn Mawr.
  • reading proficiency in German
  • reading proficiency in Italian or French
    • Every exam is read by two faculty members in the student’s department. If considered marginal, then a member of the respective foreign language department may be consulted. The final decision will be made by the graduate department after discussion with the external reader.
  • preliminary examinations consisting of four written papers followed by an oral examination
  • completion of the Ph.D. dissertation
  • oral defense of the Ph.D. dissertation

Language Exam Dates

Ancient & Modern Language Sight Exams

Sight exams are administered three times/year on the following days:

  1. Last Thursday-Friday before start of fall classes
  2. Last Thursday-Friday before start of spring classes
  3. First Thursday-Friday after spring break

Students and departments will be notified promptly of the results.

Related:

GSAS Degree Requirements