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Humanities with Classical Education Concentration

Program Director

Dr. Jeffrey Lehman

Faculty

Professor J. Lehman; Assistant Professor M. Post; Assistant Dean and Affiliate Assistant Professor J. Peterson; Participating Faculty

About the Classical Education Program

In the United States, the classics of the Western canon were once considered the indispensable foundation for the moral, intellectual, civic, and aesthetic formation of prudent, engaged citizens. Today, diocesan schools, private schools, charter schools and homeschoolers are returning to the great works of the tradition to restore this education to its proper place in American life.

The Classical Education program gives K–12 teachers and administrators the opportunity to deepen their understanding of liberal education, ancient and modern, as well as of the literary works that shaped that tradition and the philosophical insights that grounded it. Students of the program will study the traditional trivium and quadrivium, confront the perennial dilemmas of education through the works of thinkers like Plato and Rousseau, and critically engage the history of liberal arts education. At the same time, students may acquire knowledge in areas of specialization, in which they teach or are interested. Teachers can gain up to nine credits through a mentored apprenticeship, teaching at a classical school.

Students may choose between a Master of Arts or Master of Humanities with Classical Education Concentration and a Certificate in Classical Learning.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree, but it is not necessary that it be in the humanities or related fields. Applications will be considered once the following items have been submitted:

  • Online application form
  • Application fee
  • Statement of purpose (max. 750 words)
  • Intellectual autobiography (max. 750 words)
  • Sample of academic writing (max. 6000 words)*
  • Two letters of reference
  • Official transcripts of previous college work

*Note: Students who do not have recent academic work are welcome to submit syllabi, lesson plans, or other written work which demonstrates the applicant’s thoughtfulness and suitability for graduate study.