University of Massachusetts Boston

What you'll study

This master's programme brings together language instruction, literary and textual study, and linguistic approaches to the ancient world. Core work typically includes advanced Latin and/or Ancient Greek (prose and verse), classical philology and textual criticism, and courses on major authors and genres of Greek and Roman literature. Students also study historical and comparative linguistics as applied to the Indo-European context, morphology and syntax of classical languages, and methods in epigraphy and palaeography.

• Advanced language courses in Latin and Ancient Greek (reading and composition; prose and poetry)
• Greek and Roman literary history and genre studies (epic, tragedy, comedy, historiography, rhetoric)
• Textual criticism, manuscript studies and editorial practice
• Historical/comparative linguistics and the development of the classical languages
• Seminar research methods, including bibliographical skills and digital tools for humanities research
• Electives that may include classical reception, archaeology and material culture, or teaching methodology for classical languages

The programme normally offers a choice between a thesis route and a non-thesis option (such as a capstone project or extended research paper), allowing students to focus on research preparation for doctoral study or on professional development for teaching and public-facing careers.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, preferably with substantial coursework in classics, ancient languages, linguistics, or a closely related humanities discipline. Typical application materials include official transcripts, a statement of purpose outlining academic and professional goals, and two or three letters of recommendation.

• Demonstrable preparation in Latin and/or Ancient Greek is preferred for language-focused tracks; applicants without prior language study may be considered for introductory sequences where available.
• A sample of academic writing (for example, a seminar paper) is often requested to assess research and analytic ability.
• Applicants for whom English is not a first language may need to show evidence of English proficiency according to university policy.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a range of careers that benefit from deep linguistic and textual expertise, close reading skills, and historical-cultural literacy. Common pathways include:

• Doctoral research in classics, comparative literature, linguistics, or related fields
• Secondary-school teaching of Latin and classical studies (often combined with teacher certification routes) and community-college instruction
• Museum, archives and library work, including collections management and curatorial assistance
• Publishing, editorial work, and scholarly communication, especially for academic and heritage organisations
• Digital humanities, text encoding and research support roles that require language and codification skills
• Public history, cultural programming and education at cultural institutions

Why study at University of Massachusetts Boston

University of Massachusetts Boston offers a programme grounded in both traditional philological training and contemporary linguistic approaches. Students benefit from small seminars and close supervision by faculty active in research across classical languages, literature and linguistics.

• Urban location with ready access to major research libraries and cultural institutions, supporting both research and internship opportunities.
• Interdisciplinary opportunities with departments such as History, Archaeology, and Linguistics, and access to digital humanities resources on campus.
• Options for teaching experience and mentorship that prepare students for academic careers or classroom instruction.
• A flexible programme structure with thesis and non-thesis tracks to suit research-oriented and professionally oriented students alike.