Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Classics is offered by the Department of Greek and Roman Classics. Students must select one of the following concentrations:

• Classical Civilizations
• Classical Languages and Literature.

The Department also offers the minor in Ancient Mediterranean Studies and the minor in Classical Languages and Literature. Students in these programs study the cultures and languages of two major civilizations of the ancient Mediterranean world. Classics is an interdisciplinary field of study which encompasses multiple disciplines of the liberal arts: languages, history, literature, art and philosophy.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: LA-CLAS-BA

Career Preparation

Classics offers a sound liberal arts background that prepares students for any career. Classics majors have held senior positions in government, law and public service organizations, have founded and headed companies and organizations, and have worked as correspondents and journalists. Recent Temple Classics majors have gone on to law school, veterinary school, graduate school, and business and teaching careers. To help prepare for careers, the Department of Greek and Roman Classics offers funding for internships that provide no remuneration.

Study Abroad

Classics majors and minors are encouraged to study a semester at Temple's Rome Campus. Majors are eligible to apply for funding for summer study in the Mediterranean through the Rudolph Masciantonio Traveling Summer Scholarship.

Undergraduate Associations

The organization for majors and minors is the Temple Classics Club, and there is a chapter of the national honorary society for Classics, Eta Sigma Phi, on campus.

Distinction in Major

Distinction in Major requires a senior thesis and a minimum GPA of 3.5 in Greek, Latin, or Greek and Roman Classics courses.

Contact Information

Department Office
330 Mazur Hall
215-204-8267

Karen Hersch, Department Chair
327 Mazur Hall
215-204-5345
khersch@temple.edu

Robin Mitchell-Boyask, Undergraduate Advisor
327 Mazur Hall
robin@temple.edu

Jacquelyn Sullivan, Administrator
220 Mazur Hall
215-204-8267
jacquelyn.sullivan@temple.edu​

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Classics.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Degree Requirements

University Requirements

• MATH 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or ENG 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. See below for a list of the specific courses required for your major.
• Students must complete requirements of the General Education (GenEd) Program. See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for more details.

College of Liberal Arts Requirements

• Completion of a minimum of 123 credits, including: 90 credits in CLA/CST courses, 45 credits of which must be at the upper level (numbered 2000-4999).
• Distribution Requirement for Humanities majors: Six upper level credits must be earned in the Social Science, Science, and/or interdisciplinary subject areas. Select from the following CLA departments and programs: Africology & African American Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Asian Studies, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity and Human Behavior, Economics, Environmental Studies, Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, Geography and Urban Studies, Global Studies, History, Jewish Studies, Latin American Studies, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies, Liberal Arts, Neuroscience (CLA), Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology, or any department in the College of Science and Technology.
• A minimum GPA of 2.0, cumulatively, in CLA/CST coursework, and in the major.
• Only courses in which a student receives a grade of at least C- can satisfy GenEd, major, minor, or CLA Foreign Language and Global Studies requirements.
• Professional Development Requirement
  • All students in the College of Liberal Arts are required to take a 1 credit seminar in professional development. CLA 1002 Professional Development for Liberal Arts Majors is the appropriate course option for this major. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CLA College Requirements page. Only one course in this category may count towards graduation.
• Foreign Language/Global Studies Requirements:
  • All students must complete the second level of a foreign language;
  • All students must complete at least one course from the GenEd Global/World Society category; and
  • All students must complete one of the following options:
    • Third level of a foreign language;
    • Demonstrated proficiency in a foreign language;
    • A second General Education Global/World Society course;
    • Study Abroad at an approved program; or
    • Take one Global Studies course from the list on the CLA College Requirements page.
• General Electives are typically one-third of a student's program of study and can be focused on a second major, a minor, or towards some other personal enrichment or professional goals. See an academic advisor for assistance in developing an academic plan for these courses.

Major Requirements (a minimum of 35 credits in Ancient Greek, Latin, Greek and Roman Classics and related course work)

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Arts in Classics: Classical Civilizations Concentration

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year