Earn your Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Classics

This program is designed for students who have a BA but do not have sufficient skills in Latin and/or Greek to continue on in graduate school, seminary, or other programs that require multiple years of both languages. Students in the Post-Baccalaureate program will take 3 courses a semester from the graduate or undergraduate classes offered at The University of Iowa in areas that are appropriate for the student's long-term goals. The program is typically one year in length, but students may continue if it is deemed appropriate by the faculty.

The Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Classics requires 18 semester hours in Department of Classics and Religious Studies courses numbered 2000 or above (upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses). Students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.00 to remain in good standing and complete the program.

The program is designed for students who have a bachelor's degree and would like further study in Greek and Latin in order to be competitive for admission to a graduate program in classics. Entry to most graduate programs requires study of both Latin and Greek, normally a minimum of three years in one language and two years in the other. The certificate is designed to be completed in two semesters by students who enter with two years of Latin and one to two years of Greek, or vice versa.

At least 12 semester hours of the required credit must be earned in Greek and Latin language courses; the remaining 6 semester hours may be earned in approved advanced courses taught in English (prefix CLSA). Transfer credit is not accepted toward the certificate.

For more specific information on courses, curriculum, and requirements of the Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Classics, visit the UI General Catalog. If you have any questions, please contact us at classics@uiowa.edu.

Learning outcomes

  • Intermediate to advanced comprehension of classical languages like ancient Greek and Latin; and
  • Improvement in writing and communication skills for graduate school applications or other advanced studies focusing on the ancient world.
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Tuition

Tuition and fees for the Post-Baccalaureate program will be the same as undergraduate resident or non-resident tuition. This program is not eligible for financial aid.

How to apply

Admission deadline: February 15th (for preference)

Requirements for admission

A minimum overall grade-point average of 2.80, with at least a 3.00 in classical languages.

Items to send to admissions

Items to send to the department

Please send all documents to classics@uiowa.edu.

  • A copy of transcripts of all prior post-secondary academic records. The undergraduate transcript should include Latin and Greek language courses. High school transcripts are not necessary.
  • A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score, if you are from a country where English is not the first language
  • Three original letters of reference sent directly from persons familiar with your academic performance, written on the referee's letterhead, along with our cover sheet.
  • A one-page statement of your purposes, goals, and special interests relevant to your application to Classics (i.e., why you are applying and what you hope to achieve in your post-baccalaureate program)
  • A 5-20 page sample of your best critical written work (e.g., term paper, seminar paper, published article)
  • A list of Greek and Latin works (if any) read in the original languages
  • The post-baccalaureate submission form, which lets us know that you have applied

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