Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Classics

classicsPost-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Classics

The Post-Baccalaureate Program in Classics at the University of California, Davis, is designed for students who already have a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree but seek additional training in Greek and Latin language, literature, and cultural studies in order to strengthen their preparation for graduate school in Classics and related fields, such as Ancient History, Art History and Archaeology, Comparative Literature, and Philosophy.

The Program gives these students a rigorous yet flexible program, which can be tailored to their own needs and background. It can help students improve their facility in the ancient languages and prepare them for admission to a graduate program of their choice.

The Post-Baccalaureate Program may also be of value for high school and community college teachers seeking to refresh their knowledge and improve their credentials.

Course of Study

The Post-Baccalaureate Program in Classics requires residence for a minimum of three quarters, and the completion of at least six upper-division language courses, or 24 units of advanced language instruction, beyond the first-year sequence. The minimum requirements for completion of the Program are to reach the level of proficiency equivalent to two years of advanced study in one of the ancient languages, Latin or Greek, and one year of advanced study in the other language. High school teachers seeking to improve their skills in Latin only may substitute courses in cultural studies of the ancient Mediterranean world for the Greek language courses.

The exact program of study for each student can be adapted to the student's needs, and the time needed to complete the program will depend on the student's background and level of preparation. Students who have good language skills in one ancient language may move directly to advanced study in that language, while improving their skills in the second language.

In addition, students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the University's offerings of advanced study in Classics and other allied areas, such as art history, ancient history, and philosophy. Students are also encouraged to acquire a reading knowledge of German and French.

Each student will receive individual advising, not only on the design of a Post-Baccalaureate Program, but also about career goals and application to graduate schools. Upon successful completion of the Post-Baccalaureate program, students will receive a Postgraduate Certificate from UC Davis UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education.

Admissions and Deadlines

We admit students on a rolling basis each quarter until the program fills. Applications will be accepted after the deadlines pass ONLY if the program has not yet filled.

For Fall Quarter admission, the deadline for application materials is May 1.

For Winter Quarter admission, the deadline for application materials is December 1.

For Spring Quarter admission, the deadline for application materials is March 1.

For admission to this certificate program, the prospective student should send the following 5 items to UC Davis Department of Languages & Literatures:

  • Completed application form
  • College or University transcript, with date of actual or expected B.A. degree clearly indicated
  • Statement of purpose (one typed page). Guidelines are available here.
  • Two (2) Letters of Recommendation from college or university instructors. Please send your letter-writers this instruction form.
  • $125 application fee, payable to U.C. Regents (payable by check or credit card; payment information will be entered into the application form)

MAIL TO:

UCD Department of Languages & Literatures
Sproul Hall
Graduate Program Staff
1 Shields Ave.
Davis, CA 95616

OR EMAIL TO: Rob Hether at robhether@ucdavis.edu

Note: If you are paying the application fee by check, please send your application materials by postal mail. If you are paying the application fee by credit card, you may enter your payment information on the application form and send all materials via email.

Application and Enrollment Fees

The fee to apply to the post-bac program is $125.

The application form can be found here.

Please note: Enrollment in this program is through UC Davis's Open Campus Program https://cpe.ucdavis.edu/open-campus, which is administered by UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education. This means that all administrative processes regarding fees, enrollment, course registration, and campus privileges are governed by Continuing and Professional Education, not by the Classics Program. For fees, enrollment, and general information, please visit https://cpe.ucdavis.edu/open-campus/general-information. The current per-unit enrollment fee is $300 per academic unit. The per-unit enrollment fee is subject to change without notice. Fees cover instruction and some library privileges.

International Students

Individuals who require a student visa or the I-20 form should not apply to this program. The post-bac program cannot provide any visa sponsorship or support for international students.

Financial Aid

UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education can provide information on continuing education loan programs. Please see the information under Student Services, financing your education https://cpe.ucdavis.edu/student-services/financing-your-education. With approved petition for exception, Post-Baccalaureate students may work as readers or TAs.  Such positions come with a salary. Post-Bac students are not eligible for remissions.

Each student will receive individual advising, not only on the design of a Post-Baccalaureate Program, but also about career goals and application to graduate schools. Upon successful completion of the Post-Baccalaureate program, students will receive a Postgraduate Certificate from UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education.

Contact Us

For further information about this program, contact Professor Carey Seal at cseal@ucdavis.edu.

For information on financial aid and other University Continuing and Professional Education Student Services, contact https://extension.ucdavis.edu/contact-us

Current Students 

  • Lidice Garcia (B.A., University of California, Davis)
  • Delilah Jimenez (B.A., San Jose State University)
  • Theodore Moreno (B.A., University of California, Los Angeles)
  • Hayley Renick (B.A., Ohio University)
  • Sidney Sheets (B.A., University of California, Davis)

Recent Placement

Students who have recently completed the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate have had great success in being admitted to graduate programs at internationally known institutions, including UCLA, the University of Virginia, the University of Michigan, Cornell University, Brown University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Georgia.