So you want a PhD in Classics . . .
Graduate programs in classics train students to do original research into the civilizations of antiquity. They can be tough, but those prepared for the challenge also enoy great intellectual rewards. Graduate students in Classics read vast amounts of Greek and Latin literature in the original languages; they gain valuable experience in archaeological excavations; they have the opportunity to live and study abroad.
A wide variety of programs exist, at both the master's (M.A.) and doctoral (Ph.D.) level. An M.A. program might last two years, a Ph.D. three or four more; a Ph.D. culminates with the writing of a monograph-length dissertation. Classics departments offer degrees with a focus on philology (i.e., language and literature) and sometimes ancient history or art and archaeology (see the note on graduate study in art and archaeology below). But at some universities, there are separate interdisciplinary programs in archeology and ancient history; some programs might be housed in the History or Art History departments. Nearly all of these graduate programs require Ph.D. candidates to pass reading exams in French and German within the first three years of study.
Requirements for admission vary among programs. Competition for acceptance into the top Ph.D. programs is fierce, and even more so for fellowship support. Georgetown has had great success in placing their Classics majors in top schools in recent years, with students being accepted into PhD programs at Harvard, Yale, Penn, Princeton, Stanford, U. Washington, Brown, Columbia, U. Virginia, Cornell, U. North Carolina, and U. Michigan.
If you are serious about doing work in the field beyond your undergraduate years, you should speak with relevant faculty members at your earliest opportunity to discuss how you might best prepare yourself, and which programs will best suit your interests and abilities. We dare happy to give specific advice. Keep in mind that training in the Greek and Latin languages is of the utmost importance and takes priority over all else; both must be begun as soon as possible. The best candidates for admission will be those who have already done work at the advanced level in both Latin and Greek. (Many students take advantage of intensive summer-language institutes. Others spend a year after the undergraduate degree in a post-baccalaureate program, including ours at Georgetown, focusing entirely on work in the languages.) Admissions committees will also be looking at each candidate's potential to do academic research. Your application will need to demonstrate that you have a good understanding of the scholarship on a particular subject and an idea of how you might contribute to it. (Admissions committees do not want to hear about how "amazing" your high school Latin teacher was or about your summer vacation in Greece.) It is especially important to have a strong writing sample, typically ten to twenty pages in length. Successful candidates from Georgetown in recent years have often used part of an honors thesis or a complete seminar paper for this purpose. Since many graduate school applications are due in the late fall, candidates should make sure to have either a seminar paper or thesis section in hand and ready to send by late fall of senior year. Also, nearly all programs will require the GRE, and eligibility for fellowship support can depend upon composite GRE scores.
One of the best ways to start learning about graduate programs is to visit their websites. Look at what courses are being offered. See who is on the fraculty. Then go read faculty members' publications. If you are a serious applicant, you might get in touch with the director of graduate studies or individual faculty member if you have a specific question unanswered by the website.
A note about graduate study in Classical and Mediterranean art and archaeology. M.A. and Ph.D. programs in Greek and Roman art and archaeology are typically affiliated with or incorporated into Classics departments; others are housed in Art History departments or are structured as interdisciplinary programs. Classical and Mediterranean art and archaeology programs almost always require extensive study of Greek and Latin for admission, and it is advisable that students interested in pursuing Classical art and archaeology in graduate school take as much Greek and Latin as possible while still at Georgetown. Successful applicants will have a broad background in ancient cultures, not only in art and archaeology, but also in language, literature, and history. Time spent studying abroad, especially in an archaeological field school or program that involve extensive travel to sites, is especially important. Once admitted to graduate school, students undertake coursework in Greek, Roman, and Near Eastern art and archaeology, ancient history, Greek, and Latin. Some graduate programs are affiliated with art and archaeology museums, and many sponsor their own excavations, providing students with opportunities to design museum exhibits and to take part in excavations.
Some more detailed guidelines are available on a webpage maintained by the Classical Journal (http://classicaljournal.org/study_classics.php).