The Department of Classics

Career Opportunities

Classics: What Can I Do With This Degree?

The study of Classics is well recognized as one of the strongest possible pre-professional degree programs.

"Classical Studies are excellent preparation for a student who wishes to study law.  I would have no hesitation in recommending that a student pursue Classical Studies in preparation for law school."

--L. Ray Patterson, former Dean,
Emory University School of Law

Click here for a conversation with a GVSU Classics alumna about her postgraduate experiences.

A sampling of what recent GVSU Classics grads have gone on to do:

Adam Bowers '07 (Classical Tradition emphasis): now at the Princeton Theological Seminary.

Brittany Hunter '08 (Classical Languages emphasis): Website Coordinator for the Acton Institute.

Alan Fleming '06 (Classical Languages emphasis): now pursuing graduate study in Classics at Indiana University.

Charles "Ty" Ham '06 (Classical Languages emphasis):  now in the PhD program in Classics at the University of Pennsylvania.

Kristen Heise '06 (Greek and Latin emphasis): now at the University of Michigan School of Law.

Sara Winchester '03 (Classical Tradition emphasis): now at the GVSU Office of University Development.

Click here for news and accomplishments from students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

Classics graduates have careers in fields as varied as writing or publishing, teaching at the university or secondary level, law, business, medicine, communications, the ministry, library or museum work, government service, and anywhere else where a strong and solid liberal arts education is valued.

"Classical languages on a transcript indicate seriousness of purpose and true devotion to a rigorous program of study."

 --Fred Zuker, Vice President and Dean of Student Services,
University of Dallas

A degree in Classics does not limit a student to a single career track. Instead, it opens doors to many wide and exciting possibilities.

Our students have the opportunity for internships in a variety of fields, which will offer them significant career experience even as they continue their undergraduate study.

"Latin trains abstract thinking, provides a key to all modern Romance languages, is a model for interdisciplinary study (language, history, culture), and can be a lot of fun."

--Michael C. Behnke, Vice President for Enrollment,
University of Chicago

Why study Greek and Latin?

Greek and Latin FAQ

Printable Program Brochure (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)
Contact the Department of Classics