A brief description of the department:
The Department is widely known for offering students an academically rigorous program in Greek and Latin philology, as well as extensive experience in the teaching of the languages and cultures of Greece and Rome. Our faculty members are wide-ranging in their areas of expertise, with particular strengths in the fields of Greek and Roman drama, women and gender studies, late antiquity, and the reception of the Classical world.
Particular strengths or unique areas of interest for the department:
Drama. Literary criticism. Gender studies. Medieval Studies. Reception.
Application deadline: January 1.
Unusual features of the application:
The application process is entirely on line. A complete application must include a writing sample (c. 20 pages).
GRE scores required: GRE scores are required.
Writing sample required: The writing sample must be about 20 pages in length. One longer paper or two shorter ones are acceptable.
For “best consideration for admission”, applicants should have (note that there are always special cases, and that meeting the stated numerical goals will not guarantee admission to any program):
For admission to the MA program in Classics (Latin and Greek), applicants should have completed 20 hours of course work in one ancient language (Greek or Latin), and 15 hours in the other. For admission to the MA in either Latin or Greek and to the MAT in Latin, the requirement is 20 hours of coursework in the one language. Although we do not accept applicants lacking significant experience in Greek and/or Latin, language deficiencies that can be remedied within one year will not necessarily disqualify a promising applicant. Solid GRE scores (analytical and writing) are desirable, but no minimum score is set. Personal statement, letters of recommendation, writing sample, GRE scores, and academic transcript, combined, inform the Admissions Committee's decision.
Average number of new graduate students per year:
On average, between 2 and 4 students are admitted every year, usually to the MA program and exceptionally to the PhD program.
Approximate percentage of applicants this represents: Less than 20% of the total number of applicants.
Number of new students entering program this fall: Five students entered our program in Fall 2009: 3 to the MA program in Classics, 1 to the PhD in Classical Philology, and 1 to the MAT in Latin.
Approximate percentage of incoming students given full funding:
All our incoming students are supported with a combination of departmental fellowship and teaching assistantship.
Number of guaranteed years of funding: Students admitted to the MA level are typically supported for two years, and those admitted to the PhD level are generally supported until the completion of the degree (i.e., four to five years).
Out of those years, number student will be expected or required to serve as TA, RA, or the like:
Most students are employed as TAs for most of their years in the program. Our students have benefited from Graduate College fellowships, and several students have been awarded a Graduate College Dissertation Completion Fellowship, which provides funding and exempts students from teaching.
International students eligibility for financial aid: International students are eligible for financial aid on the same basis as others.
PhDs and MAs awarded since January 2005: 14 MAs and 3 PhDs
Major changes anticipated in the department over the next few years, if any:
We anticipate a couple of retirements, and we hope to be able to hire as well.
Best contact person for questions: Prof. Maryline Parca, Director of Graduate Study, mparca@illinois.edu