Ancient Worlds. Modern Questions. Where engaged minds cultivate the insight to lead and innovate.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Ancient Greek and Roman Studies in the College of Letters & Science is an opportunity to study Mediterranean antiquity in the company of a diverse cohort of undergraduates. Professors in the Department of Ancient Greek and Roman Studies are renowned for innovative scholarship and dedication to undergraduate teaching. Students in the major program explore multiple disciplines within the ancient Mediterranean world, including archaeology, literature, philosophy, and many more. The flexibility of our program makes it easy for students to pursue a double-major, complete a pre-med track, add a minor, or study abroad without delaying graduation. The major can be completed in English or include the study of Greek and/or Latin.
Highlights
- Get involved with The Classical Forum, the undergraduate Classics organization.
- Join an archaeological dig in Greece through the Nemea Center.
- Gain experience in the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program.
- Pursue a thesis as part of the DAGRS Honors Program.
Curriculum
Our major curriculum is designed for flexibility, allowing you to build a program that reflects your unique interests within a structured and supportive framework. The major is built on four key components (consult the Undergraduate Catalog for course numbers and official requirements):
- Gain a broad understanding of the ancient world with introductory courses in Greek and Roman civilization, archaeology, and literature.
- Craft your specialization with five upper division courses drawing from AGRS and related fields.
- Incorporate optional language study and choose to read the classics in their original form.
- Widen your perspective with a course on a premodern culture from outside the Greco-Roman world to better understand the ancient Mediterranean in its global context.
Learn more at dagrs.berkeley.edu/undergraduate/majors-and-minors/
Research in AGRS
AGRS students can collaborate on original, faculty-led research through the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program:
- Work with papyri at the Center for the Tebtunis Papyri to reconstruct the social and economic life of the ancient Mediterranean.
- Unearth history with the Nemea Center for Classical Archaeology.
- Gain hands-on experience in digital philology by helping edit and prepare a 14th-century manuscript for online publication.
Declaring the Major
First-year Students: Upon acceptance to UC Berkeley, you will be admitted to the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student. To officially declare the Ancient Greek & Roman Studies major, meet with the Department Undergraduate Advisor to write a program plan and officially declare the major.
Transfer Students: If you were admitted directly into the major, you do not need to go through a separate declaration process. However, it is recommended that you meet with the Undergraduate Advisor to develop a program plan. Transfer students who were not directly admitted to the major should meet with the Undergraduate Advisor as early as possible to write a program plan and officially declare the major.
The Ancient Greek and Roman Studies major serves as excellent preparation for many different careers, including business, law, tech, and education, as well as graduate study in fields such as anthropology, archaeology, classics history, and art history.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying Ancient Greek and Roman Studies. The College of Letters & Science spotlights career pathways for students in the Arts & Humanities, and offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and Ph.D. programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- Actor
- Archaeologist
- Assistant Curator
- Attorney
- CEO
- Co-Founder AI Tech Company
- Conservator
- Content Strategist
- Director of Development
- Director of Translation
- Editor
- Manager, Hockey Administration
- Nurse Practitioner
- Principal
- Systems Analyst
- Tax Consultant
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Art History
- Classical Archaeology
- Classical Literature and Philology
- Classical Reception
- Classical Studies
- Digital Humanities
- History
- Law
- Linguistics
- Medicine
- Philosophy
George, class of 2025
As an Ancient Greek and Roman Studies major, George Sicner was President of the Classical Forum and Editor-in-Chief of the Undergraduate Journal of Classics, and was recognized with the department’s Community Prize. After interning at the Sacramento District Attorney’s office, George is headed to Emory University’s School of Law.
“What I greatly enjoyed about the department…is how interdisciplinary the topics of study are. From philosophy and religion to literature and material culture, each class offered its own unique glimpse into the vibrant world of Greco-Roman antiquity. This truly classical education that I received at UC Berkeley is what inspired me to pursue my interests in law and the protection of cultural heritage.”
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and first-year guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the AGRS major; begin lower division requirements including two courses from ARGS 10A or 17A, AGRS 10B or 17B, or AGRS R44.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, Berkeley Changemaker, or A&H Compass or Gateway course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Sign up for the DAGRS email list.
- Attend department events such as the DAGRS Undergraduate Reception and Sather Lectures.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Browse the Art History/Classics Library collection.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities and DAGRS websites.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Complete a third lower division course in AGRS; consider enrolling in language courses in Greek or Latin.
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see guidelines from the department.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as Comparative Literature.
- Meet with the major advisor to declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization like The Classical Forum.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Learn about the Nemea Center for Classical Archaeology.
- Check out papyri at the Center for Tebtunis Papryi.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Begin taking upper division requirements in the major, including one course from the AGRS 130 series.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
- Consider applying to the DAGRS Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Serve on the leadership of the Berkeley Classical Forum.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Apply to serve as an editor for the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal of Classics.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as the Society for Classical Studies.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Complete a course in a pre-modern culture if you haven’t done so already.
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Townsend Center or Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal of Classics or Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Participate in Golden Bear Advising before your first semester.
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course like AGRS 10A or 10B.
- Level up your language with a Summer Workshop in Greek and Latin.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP; join an archaeological dig in Greece with the Nemea Center.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs like Digital Humanities and Performance and Culture.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal and transfer guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Complete lower division requirements (if needed); consider enrolling in language courses in Greek or Latin.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Sign up for the DAGRS email list.
- Get involved with a student organization like The Classical Forum.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Attend department events such as the DAGRS Undergraduate Reception and Sather Lectures.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Begin exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities and DAGRS websites.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Focus on upper division requirements in the major including one course from the AGRS 130 series.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see guidelines from the department.
- Explore new interests in a Changemaker or DeCal course.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as Comparative Literature.
- Consider applying to the DAGRS Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Check out papyri at the Center for Tebtunis Papryi.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Learn about the Nemea Center for Classical Archaeology.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Browse the Art History/Classics Library collection.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to develop skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue with upper division requirements, including one course from the AGRS 130 series.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a Transfer Peer Advocate or member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Serve on the leadership of the Berkeley Classical Forum.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as the Society for Classical Studies.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Complete a course in a pre-modern culture if you haven’t done so already.
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Townsend Center or Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal of Classics or Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Participate in Golden Bear Advising before your first semester.
- Get ready for Berkeley with RHETOR 100 Writing at the University.
- Thinking about a PhD? Apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship before your first semester.
- Level up your language with a Summer Workshop in Greek and Latin.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP; join an archaeological dig in Greece with the Nemea Center.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Digital Humanities and Performance & Culture.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Ancient Greek and Roman Studies or choosing a major? Connect with advising services:
The Department of Ancient Greece and Roman Studies offers undergraduate advising to students interested in majors in Ancient Greece and Roman Studies, Greek, Latin, and Greek and Latin. You will receive personalized, one-on-one guidance on everything from course planning and navigating the University, to career exploration and post-graduate opportunities. The Department Undergraduate Advisor is available to answer general questions about DAGRS programs and community, as well as support in navigating the university. Faculty Undergraduate Advisors are available to discuss course content, research opportunities, graduate school, and careers.
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.
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