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Major Related Resources Department of Resources Career Resource | Description of MajorClassical studies offers a major in Latin. Latin majors study the literature, language and culture of ancient Rome by reading Latin literature in the original language and exploring the literary and historical traditions that influenced ancient writers. The Latin major requires 27 credit hours in the major, at least 18 credits in Latin at or above the 200 level, along with courses in Roman culture and literature.Skills & Knowledge Developed in this Field of StudyAn undergraduate major in Latin prepares students with critical thinking and writing skills, which is attractive in a variety of career fields and professional graduate programs. Learning Latin can also expand a student's English vocabulary and help with English grammar.Minors and Second Majors that Expand Career Options with this MajorMany Latin majors pursue double majors. Some choose fields with thematic links to classics - English, history, history of art, religious studies, or another foreign language. At least as many others have a second major in science or mathematics and are preparing for medical school or graduate study in the sciences. Some students add a minor in business in order to expand their career options. For secondary teaching, a Teacher Certification can be completed.Career OptionsCareers Specific to the Bachelor's DegreeA Latin major with Teacher Certification can lead directly to a secondary teaching career.Other Career Possibilities with a Bachelor's DegreeMost Latin majors go on to professional careers in law, medicine, or business. A Latin major is excellent preparation for the study of law, medicine, archeology, history, comparative literature, philosophy, anthropology, linguistics, foreign languages, art or music history, or for a career as a priest or minister.Careers that Normally Require a Graduate DegreeFor those interested in teaching at the high school level, an M.A. or M.A.T. degree can open up career options. In order to teach in a college or university, a student must earn a Ph.D. in classical studies. Many IU Latin majors win scholarships or fellowships to support graduate study in classics and other fields.Employment OpportunitiesJob OutlookThere is a nationwide shortage of high school Latin teachers, so the job outlook is excellent for Latin majors who wish to pursue their interest in Latin in this way. Classics departments at colleges and universities have a healthy track record of entry level positions for recent Ph.D.s, though the job market is competitive. Because most Latin majors pursue careers outside the field of classics, the prospects are varied.Salary InformationBecause Latin graduates pursue careers in so many different fields, it is difficult to generalize about starting salaries. However, for those who choose to become university professors, they can expect starting salaries around $50,000. High school teachers start at salaries between $20,000-$25,000. For those continuing their education in a graduate school, the average value of a graduate fellowship is about $10,500 for the first year of graduate study.Potential Career GrowthCareer growth for Latin majors is excellent. Alumni lists from the classical studies department show successful careers in the law, government, and commercial sectors.Placement Statistics for IU Graduates with this MajorPlacement statistics for majors seeking secondary education positions are virtually 100 percent. Similarly, students who apply to graduate schools are accepted at the best graduate schools, almost always with full support. The placement record for law schools is very good.High School PreparationStudents who plan to major in Latin should take as much Latin as possible in high school. If possible they should take at least two years, but three or four years are preferred. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are highly recommended.Special OpportunitiesStudents can take a wide variety of courses, including honors courses, through IU’s Department of Classical Studies; they are taught by some of the finest scholars in the field. The IU Libraries and the IU Art Museum hold large, high-quality classical collections, and IU’s computer facilities give students access to electronic resources in classics. Students from our department often study abroad at College Year in Athens, the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome, and Loyola University in Rome. Our department has scholarship money available on a competitive basis for majors to continue their studies in Bloomington or overseas. The department offers a capstone course each year that brings graduating majors together in exploring special topics and pursuing independent research projects which draw on their experiences in classics.Noted AlumniLillian Gay Berry, after teaching herself Latin, earned a A.B. in Latin from Indiana University in 1899 and an M.A. in 1905. She was the first woman faculty member at Indiana University, hired in 1902. A lifelong scholar and world traveler, she is perhaps best known as an advocate for Latin and Latin teachers, training many students who went on to careers in teaching and research all over the United States.Edith Shuman Tackitt, who learned Latin in a one room school house in Plymouth, Indiana, earned a B.A. in Latin in 1927. After teaching for a few years, she entered Indiana University Medical School, earning her M.D. degree in 1933. She was the first woman resident in internal medicine at IU's Robert Long Hospital and she founded the student health services at IU Bloomington, starting in the old Tri Delta house on campus. Many other graduates have also become scholars. For example, Helena Detttmer (B.A. 1972; Ph.D. University of Michigan) now chairs the Department of Classical Studies at the University of Iowa. Nancy Shumate (B.A. 1977, Ph.D. Harvard) teaches at Smith College. Among our alumni are successful Latin teachers. For example, Steve Perkins (B.A. 1991), who teaches at North Central H.S. in Indianapolis, is also the co-author of "Latin for Dummies." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
