Forum Romanum view from the Capitoline Hill in Italy, Rome

Classical Studies

The Classical Studies major will immerse you in scholarly conversations spanning nearly 3,000 years while walking the streets of ancient Pompeii and modern Rome.

Overview

Classical Studies invites students to explore the languages, literature, art, architecture, philosophy, and history of ancient Greece and Rome—and to see how they continue to shape the modern world. As a Classical Studies major, you’ll develop the tools to read ancient texts in the original Latin or Greek, think critically across disciplines, and draw connections between antiquity and today’s global challenges.

Whether you are interested in politics, law, medicine, or storytelling, Classical Studies offers a broad, rigorous foundation that deepens your understanding of the human experience and prepares you for a wide range of academic and professional paths.

Your Major Took You Where?

Mathematics majors have gone on to a variety of graduate programs and careers.

Employers and Professions

Curator
Radiologist
Archivist
Teacher
Librarian
User Experience Researcher

Postgraduate Study

Healthcare
Education
Law
Library Sciences
Archaeology
Anthropology

Curriculum

The Classical Studies program offers two tracks: a focus on ancient languages or a focus on ancient civilizations. You’ll explore the ancient world through a wide range of courses in linguistics, literature, art, history, and philosophy. Along the way, you’ll read classical texts in their original languages and analyze and interpret the diverse cultures of Greece and Rome. You’re encouraged to think across disciplines, from archaeology to religion, political theory, and more to understand how the classical past continues to shape the present.

Major Requirements - Language Track

Major Requirements - Civilization Track

Minor Requirements

Experiential Learning

Students engage in hands-on learning experiences and reflection to develop skills and increase knowledge retention.

As a Classical Studies major, you can expect the chance to learn about ancient civilizations and languages in the classroom and abroad with opportunities to study in Italy and Greece. Inter-disciplinary lessons create a well-rounded, educational experience applicable to many professional fields and interests.

Internships

We're committed to helping students find quality internship experiences in the career area of their choice.

Internships for Classical Studies majors at Centre have included library collection and archive management, event planning, museum collection development, education, CUE pre-med program, marketing and finance, and mentored summer research in Roman history, Greek and Roman literature, archaeology, and gender studies.

Careers

Our extraordinary liberal arts and sciences education prepares students for meaningful lives and careers.

Graduates with a Classical Studies degree have found success in careers in medicine, law, education, library sciences, cultural heritage preservation, and non-profit philanthropy. Additionally, studying Latin gives you an advantage if you are going into law or healthcare fields as much of the vocabulary stems from the language.