If Greek mythology has captured your interest, you may also begin to wonder about the cultures that produced it or the ancient languages in which it was written. Classics is a great field to study all of these dimensions. At an undergraduate level, Classics students will be exposed to ancient languages, culture, society and history. Classics is ideally suited to students with an interdisciplinary mindset.
The multidimensional appeal Classics programs have for undergraduates extends to graduate students. As with any graduate program, there is a great deal of variation between different universities' Master's and PhD programs, and the requirements for each degree. A key part of a Classics graduate program is the process of narrowing down your area of interest and further research. If you are drawn to Classics through an interest in mythology, this is your opportunity to explore it in-depth.
Like many liberal arts fields, at a fundamental level Classics degrees build strong analytical skills and an attention to detail that can apply to many jobs. Pursuing a graduate degree offers a clear path for teaching topics like mythology, history or language, whether at the college or high school level. Classics degrees are also well-suited to fields that involve a mix of managing information, analysis and writing skill, such as jobs in museums, libraries or journalism.
Classics may not seem like the most practical degree, but many notable individuals today have credited the field with building the foundation that led to their success today. Lynn Sherr, a former ABC News veteran, spoke about her Classics background in a 2000 Princeton commencement speech. "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling's childhood love of mythology and fantasy led her to a Classics degree. The ancient topics of study may seem remote, but Classics teaches valuable problem-solving and analytic skills for today's world.