Inspire the next generation by teaching Latin in middle school or high school. Share your love of classics and fill the need for Latin teachers across the country.

To teach in public schools, where most Latin teachers are hired, you are required to pass a state teaching certification. You can complete the required courses for certification in the IU School of Education while you work on your Latin major in the College of Arts and Sciences. After finishing your Latin degree, you can earn certification through the Transition to Teaching program, in the IU School of Education. It is possible to teach at some private schools without formal certification.

For general information about teaching Latin and resource links, the American Classical League (ACL) is a good place to start. The National Committee for Latin and Greek (NCLG) offers resources as well.

If you are considering graduate study, there are three things you can do to begin preparing.

1. Talk to your professors: They have first-hand knowledge about graduate school and can tell you where the best programs are, how to get in, and what it takes to succeed.
2. Take language courses: Top Ph.D. programs require proficiency in Latin and Greek, and any advanced study in classical studies requires knowledge of at least one ancient language.
3. Research classics departments admissions and degree processes: The Society for Classical Studies (SCS) posts a directory of graduate programs in North America that can help you in your search.

Choosing a program

Beyond the B.A., there are two main types of graduate programs:

1. The M.A. and M.A.T. (Master of Arts in Teaching), often referred to as terminal master's degrees, consist of specialized coursework and often require the writing of a thesis. A master's program will allow you to focus on classics exclusively for 1-2 years, and it provides a good credential for secondary school teaching.
2. The Ph.D. in classics or a related field (e.g., archaeology, ancient history, ancient philosophy, medieval studies, comparative literature) usually involves coursework, comprehensive exams, teaching, and writing a dissertation (5-7 years from B.A. to Ph.D.). It is generally a prerequisite for college or university teaching and research.

If you’re interested in a museum education career, you should explore the classes offered in the Anthropology and Art History departments. These offer a variety of perspectives on dealing with material culture, visual arts, and public education. Careers in contract archaeology or cultural resource management in the United States require training in archaeological theory and practice, offered through the Department of Anthropology. The Society for American Archaeology (SSA) maintains an excellent list of resources, including a frequently asked questions section, about careers in archaeology.

Classics students are strong candidates for medical, law, and other professional schools. Careful planning to meet entrance requirements and score well on entrance exams can promise success in any of these fields. A strong foundation in science will be expected, but admissions committees traditionally seek out students with a wide range of intellectual curiosity, maturity, discipline, and accomplishment in many majors, including the classics. A double major, like a B.A. in classics and a B.S. in a scientific field, can be particularly impressive to admissions committees. The Indiana University Health Professions and Prelaw Center (HPPLA) is an important resource if you plan to apply to law or medical school.

A Classical Studies major can be an asset for your business career. Leading firms in banking and industry recruit liberal arts majors, including classicists, because these fields develop the analytical and communication skills vital for success. You can learn more about recruiting on campus and how to present your liberal arts background by meeting with a consultant from the Career Development Center or the Walter Center for Career Achievement.

Making your career in the publishing industry combines the intellectual energy of your undergraduate studies and a business career. If this career is right for you, you should develop strong communication skills, both written and oral, and acquire some basic business training through coursework, Indiana University’s Liberal Arts and Management Program (LAMP), or through internships. If you are interested in journalism, you can earn a certificate or second degree in journalism through the Media School while you complete your classics B.A. The American Association of University Presses has information about careers in academic publishing while the Association of American Publishers (AAP) includes trade presses as well. Both sites contain job listings.