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Classics Major

Bachelor of Arts in Classics

Immerse yourself in the past, and explore the civilizations that helped shape our world today with the Bachelor of Arts in Classics in the College of Liberal Arts at Temple University. This 123-credit undergraduate degree program emphasizes the study of the cultures and languages of two major civilizations of the ancient Mediterranean world. 

As a student in the Classics Major, you’ll delve into the spoken and written word of ancient civilizations with the Classical Languages and Literature concentration, or broaden your understanding of the cultural, political and social conditions of Ancient Greek and Roman society with the Classical Civilizations concentration. Familiarize yourself with the ways in which people communicated and conducted themselves, their businesses, and their faith and family life. You’ll learn about the pioneers of human discovery who answered some of the biggest questions of their time and developed groundbreaking innovations, and whose stories still resonate today.

The Classics BA degree program’s interdisciplinary curriculum invites students to take a holistic approach to learning by covering several areas of study, including art, history, languages, literature and philosophy. In addition to curriculum requirements, students are encouraged to conduct research alongside faculty who are at the forefront of their fields and study away in the very places on which coursework subjects are focused. 

The strong liberal arts foundation students build in this degree program is invaluable for future careers in many organizations and industries, including academics, cultural institutions, government agencies or the social sciences.

Students reading books in a classroom at Temple University

Concentrations

This degree program can be completed with or without a concentration. Your concentration options include

  • Classical Civilization

    Study the institutions and cities of ancient Greece and Rome; explore the meaning and function of art, gender, race and slavery in ancient times. Develop proficiency in Greek or Latin and read what ancient historians thought of their world.

    View Concentration Details

  • Classical Languages Literature

    Pursue in-depth study of Latin or Greek, and learn to read ancient texts in their original languages. Study abroad in Rome to experience the architecture, geography and topography that inspired the ancients. Analyze the plays, mythologies and treatises that form the foundation of our modern jurisprudence and social norms.

    View Concentration Details

Classes & Curriculum

The following are examples of required and elective courses in the Classics Major with a concentration in Classical Civilizations.

  • Ancient City: Alexandria
  • Ancient City: Periclean Athens
  • Ancient Medicine
  • Greek History
  • Greek Philosophy
  • Greek Sculpture
  • Roman Art and Archaeology
  • Roman History

The following are examples of required and elective courses in the Classics Major with a concentration in Classical Languages and Literature.

  • Ancient Greek 
  • Classical Greek and Roman Mythology
  • Comparative Mythology
  • Latin
  • Readings in Greek Literature (tragedy, epic, historiography, philosophy)
  • Readings in Latin Literature (oratory, epic, historiography, poetry)

Learn more about Classics Major required courses.

Related Graduate Degrees

Certificate Programs

The College of Liberal Arts has 22 undergraduate certificate programs for you to expand your knowledge and diversify your Temple education. Certificates can complement bachelor's programs, allowing you to specialize in an area and highlight your exposure to disciplines outside of your major.

4+1 College of Education and Human Development Program

Students interested in teaching at the high school level can enroll in the 4+1 BA/MEd Accelerated Program for High School Latin Teachers. This program is offered by the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Education and Human Development. It offers Classical Languages and Literature majors the opportunity to complete their undergraduate degree and a Master of Education in Secondary Education degree with one year of study beyond the BA.

Learn more about the 4+1 program.

    Tuition & Fees

    In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, the Bachelor of Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

    Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

    These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

    Pennsylvania resident: $19,608.00 per year
    Out-of-state: $35,232.00 per year

    Our Academic Advisors

    Advising support is provided by the College of Liberal Arts Center for Academic Advising. You can find more information on the CLA Academic Advising webpage (https://liberalarts.temple.edu/students/academic-advising).

    Joyce K. Salzberg Center for Professional Development

    Dedicated advisors at the Joyce K. Salzberg Center for Professional Development in the College of Liberal Arts are available to guide students through their academic careers and with their career paths beyond Temple. They can help you choose a major, navigate your curriculum, identify internship opportunities, explore career opportunities and determine your post-graduation plans. Learn more about the center.

    Program Contact

    For questions regarding the Classics Major, contact the following staff member.

    TJ Cusack is an administrator in the Classics program.
    Phone: 215-204-9209
    Email:

    The following staff member leads the Classics Department.

    Karen Hersch is the department chair.
    Phone: 215-204-5345
    Email: 

    University Honors Program

    The College of Liberal Arts participates in Temple’s Honors Program. Learn more about the program and how to be admitted. 

    Students who meet certain academic and extracurricular criteria may become members of the following honor societies. 

    • Alpha Lambda Delta is a national society that honors academic excellence during a student's first year at college.
    • Golden Key is an international society that enables members to realize their potential through the advancement of academics, leadership and service. 
    • Phi Beta Kappa is open to juniors and seniors in the College of Liberal Arts. To qualify for Phi Beta Kappa, a student must maintain a high grade point average in a broad, rigorous program of study in the liberal arts, including mathematics and foreign languages.

    Learn more about Temple’s honor societies.

    Student Clubs & Organizations

    Getting involved and connecting with other students is easy at Temple. There are more than 300 student organizations available, including community programs, student government, student media and clubs. 

    Students pursuing a Classics Major program are encouraged to join Eta Sigma Phi, the national honorary collegiate society for students of Latin and/or Greek.

    Learn more about Temple student clubs and organizations.

    Study Away

    College of Liberal Arts undergraduate students are encouraged to study away for an academic year, semester or summer.

    Enrich your experience at Temple by immersing yourself in the culture and history of Greece or Rome. Spend a summer on an archaeological dig in the Mediterranean, or spend a year studying in Rome from Temple’s Villa Caproni location, a beautiful building facing the Tiber River in the heart of the ancient city.

    Learn more about Temple’s study abroad programs. 

    Accreditation

    The Department of Africology and African American Studies is accredited by the National Council for Black Studies (NCBS). NCBS was established in 1975 by African American scholars who recognized the need to formalize the study of the African experience, as well as expand and strengthen academic units and community programs devoted to this endeavor.

    Temple University’s departments and programs are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

    Additional Program Information