MA in Classical Languages (course-based)
The MA in Classical Languages is one of two course-based MA degrees in Classics offered by the Department; the other is the MA in Classical Archaeology. The two programs have different entrance and program requirements.
Students admitted to the MA in Classical Languages who later wish to modify their topic so that it falls under the rubric of Classical Archaeology, History, or Ancient Societies and Cultures may do so only with the approval of the Graduate Committee.
Successful completion of an MA in Classical Languages does not guarantee admission to the PhD program. Students should consult their supervisor about planning a course of study that meets the PhD admission requirements.
Entrance Requirements
In addition to the general Departmental admission requirements, a student must have the equivalent of GREEK 301/302 and LATIN 301/302 and *9 at the 400 level in GREEK and/or LATIN. Students who have less preparation in the languages, but who are otherwise well qualified for graduate study, may be considered for admission as qualifying students.
Residency
The minimum residence requirement for a course-based MA is two four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta. Time spent as a qualifying graduate student does not count towards the residence requirement.
Program Time Limits
University regulations set out the maximum period of time, calculated from the start of the first term in which the student registers, allowed for the completion of graduate degrees. A course-based MA degree must be completed within six years of the start of the student’s program. Time spent as a qualifying graduate student or, as of 2009-10, on an approved leave of absence is not counted in the time for completion.
The MA in Classical Languages is designed to be completed in three terms, depending on preparation and course selection.
Supervision
From the time of entering the program, every candidate for the MA will have a supervisor. The student’s research project topic will be defined in consultation with the supervisor and the research paper will be written under the supervisor’s direction. Supervisors (and co-supervisors where applicable) must be approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Any change of supervisor or fields must be approved by the Graduate Committee.
NOTE: Qualifying students will be under the supervision of the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) until qualifications for entry are met.
Program Requirements
Students must:
- take and pass CLASS 501 (*1), graded pass/fail.
- take and pass a minimum of seven (*21) graduate-level courses in CLASS, GREEK, and/or LATIN, including at least three (*9) in either GREEK or LATIN and two (*6) in the other language. One course may be taken outside the rubrics CLASS, GREEK, and LATIN.
- fulfill the Departmental language requirement in a modern language with French, German, or Italian.
- take and pass two consecutive registrations in CLASS 900 (*3), a pass/fail course that has two components: (1) a written examination on primary sources and/or secondary literature relevant to the student’s research topic; and (2) a research paper of about 40-50 pages, prepared under an assigned supervisor. The finished paper is submitted to and evaluated by the supervisor and a second reader (normally another member of the Department, and chosen by the supervisor in consultation with the student). Each reader provides the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) with a short, normally half-page, assessment of the paper outlining its purpose, scope, and results, and indicating whether he/she passes it.
- fulfill the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research ethics training requirement. NOTE: This requirement applies to all University of Alberta graduate students who started their program on or after 1 September 2004; it does not apply to those who started their program prior to that date.
Submission of the Completed Project
In general, the completed research project should be formatted according to the instructions for theses (Preparing the Thesis) on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research website. However, instead of the title and examining committee pages provided there, the Department has its own title/signature page form that students are to use.
Unlike theses, research projects produced as part of the requirements for a course-based MA are not submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Nonetheless, students must provide the Department of History and Classics with two bound hard copies of the project (three in the case of co-supervision). Submission binding instructions