Application & Financial Support

Apply now Request information
Application deadline: February 1

A complete application consists of the following documentation:

• Statement of intent (1-1.5 pages; 12 Times New Roman; 1 or 1.5 spacing)
• Curriculum vitae (2 pages max.; 12 Times New Roman)
• Writing sample (8 to 15 pages; 12 Times New Roman, 1.5 or 2 spacing)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official undergraduate transcripts

Program Upload: Please include the following

• A list of the Greek and Latin texts you read in the original language. Be as specific as possible. For example, Plutarch’s Life of Anthony, Chapters 1-13. Do not include texts from which you read only a small portion.

• A list of the courses you took to fulfill the requirements for Language 1 and Language 2 (see “Language Prerequisites” below).

  • E.g., Language 1, Greek: Beginning Greek I, Beginning Greek II, Intermediate Greek, Greek Oratory. Language 2, Latin: Beginning Latin I, Beginning Latin, II, Intermediate Latin.

When listing these courses, please use the exact titles and information as they appear on your official transcript.

• TOEFL or IELTS for non-native speakers of English

• GRE is no longer required

• Application fee (or fee waiver) ($75)

The M.A. in Classics admissions committee will consider your application holistically, considering all aspects of your profile. We encourage all qualified students to apply.

Language Prerequisites

Students must fulfill specific language requirements before being admitted to the program:

• Language 1 (Greek or Latin): Applicants must have completed coursework at the intermediate level (but ideally, will have completed at least one advanced course beyond the intermediate level).

• Language 2 (Greek or Latin): Applicants must have completed the beginning sequence and be ready to take courses at the intermediate level (but ideally, they will be ready to begin advanced-level coursework).

Timeline

• Febuary 1: Application deadline
• Mid-February: Admission and waitlist announced
• Early March: Admitted students’ campus visit (Optional)
• April 15: Final decision deadline

Stipend

The department fully funds M.A. students who remain in good academic standing for two years. The following is covered:

• Annual stipend ($18,375 for the 2025-26 academic year): this stipend carries with it a work requirement to serve as a teaching assistant (TA) or research assistant (RA) either in the Department of Classics or Theology, or an instructor of record (IR) in the Department of Classics. Assignments are made at the discretion of the Director.

• Graduate student health insurance (including dependents)

Please note that:

• Summer teaching assignments, which are typically given to our graduate students once during the program, will increase the annual stipend to approximately $24,500 for that year.

• Notre Dame has generous funds to support graduate students’ research and conference trips. Your director of graduate studies will inform you of all the available opportunities.

Eligibility

To be eligible for admission to a graduate program at the University of Notre Dame, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, domestic or international. Previous graduate work is not required.