Classical Languages Pre-Professional Undergraduate Certificate
Enrich your training in Latin or ancient Greek with the Pre-Professional Undergraduate Certificate in Classical Languages. For students who have completed the introductory sequence of the Latin or ancient Greek at any accredited college program or who have already completed a BA, the Pre-Professional Certificate offers you the ability to improve your training in the languages, whether you intend to pursue secondary level education in Latin as a career or to go on to a Classics MA or PhD.
Program Overview
The Classical Language Pre-Professional Undergraduate Certificate builds reading, writing, and speaking competency in Greek or Latin.
Classics MA and PhD programs regularly expect students to have upper-level training in Latin and/or ancient Greek. Often it happens that students can discover their passion for classical languages midway or late in their undergraduate career. In such cases, students may therefore need additional language training to pursue post-graduate studies in Classics, in order to help make them competitive for graduate programs. Students who also intend to teach at the secondary level may also want to deepen their training in Latin via the Pre-Professional Certificate.
The Pre-Professional Certificate in Classical Languages therefore resembles a “post-bac” program, which in Classics are intended to offer students more training in Latin or ancient Greek, but it is open to (1) any current UT undergraduate, (2) any student currently enrolled at an accredited four-year institution, and (3) any student who has earned a BA.
Thus, the Pre-Professional Certificate is ideal for students who want to go on to post-graduate studies in Classics, as well as for students who intend to teach Latin at the secondary level.
Why Study Classical Languages?
As mentioned above, post-graduate programs in Classics at both the MA and PhD level expect upper-division coursework in Latin and/or ancient Greek. If pursuing the study of Mediterranean antiquity in related fields such as Religious Studies or History, post-graduate programs in those disciplines may also expect upper-division coursework in the pertinent ancient language, given student interests.
Students who have become interested in Classics or the ancient Mediterranean world over the course in their undergraduate career may therefore need more classes in order to better prepare themselves for post-graduate study. Likewise, Latin teachers at the secondary level may desire more additional experience in upper-division Latin courses.
The Pre-Professional Certificate is open to undergraduates at UT, any student currently enrolled in a 4-year institution, or anyone who has already received a BA. For more information on the concentrations in Ancient Greek, Latin, and Classical Languages (which combines both Latin and Ancient Greek), see the program page on the Classics BA.
Learn the Foundations of Every Language
Greek and Latin are the roots of many languages and pieces of literature—works by Homer, Plato, and Aristotle and languages like Spanish and Italian. Learning these languages gives you additional layers of linguistic meaning, setting you apart in whatever career you pursue.
Enhance Your Degree Path
Lawyers, doctors, and scientists frequently interact with terminology rooted in Greek and Latin. Learning classical languages helps enhance your primary field of study and sets you apart, giving you a competitive edge and linguistic skills you can use anywhere.
Excellent Faculty & Small Classes
At UT, you’ll benefit from small class sizes and expert faculty that are dedicated to your success. Whatever your career goals, our faculty are passionate about helping you find your purpose.
What Can You Do with a Pre-Professional Certificate in Classical Languages After Graduation?
The Pre-Professional Certificate provides students with additional depth in language training, working alongside a BA in Classics or a related major, or even after graduation. With a Pre-Professional Certificate, admission to a MA or PhD program in Classics is attainable for students who either have not had sufficient coursework in Latin or ancient Greek at the upper level, or for students who are returning and want to pursue Classics after already earning a BA.
A classics degree can give you the necessary skills you need to stand out to employers, be successful in your work, and feel confident in a discipline you are passionate about.
For more general information on concentrations in Ancient Greek, Latin, and Classical Languages, see the Classics BA.
Featured Courses
CLAS 351 Latin Prose
This course includes reading selections from Pliny and other Latin prose authors.
CLAS 401 Greek Poetry
In this course, students will learn about epics, lyrics, and dramas. Authors vary.
CLAS 431 Selected Readings from Latin Literature
This course is for advanced students in Latin. Students will learn about oratory, historical writings, and poetry of ancient Rome in the original Latin.
CLAS 406 Selected Readings from Greek Literature
This course is for advanced students in Greek. Students will study plays, historical writings, and poetry of ancient Greece in the original Greek.
Complementary Minors and Certificates
Looking to enhance your degree? Consider these programs as a complement to your primary major.
- Interdisciplinary Programs, BA – Visual and Interactive Storytelling
- Applications of Uncrewed Aerial Systems Certificate
- Geographic Information Science Minor
Looking For More Options?
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