Classics
The ancient Greeks and Romans left behind more than stone ruins of buildings. Their legacy of discovery and achievement has influenced our world for more than 2,000 years—and continues to shape our culture today. At UB, you'll be part of the only classics department in the SUNY system, where you can dive into history, archaeology, mythology and more as you draw connections between the past and the present.
What will I learn?
How did ancient economies work? What role did women play in Roman society? How did Greek and Latin form the basis for romance languages? These are the types of questions you can ask (and answer) as a classics major. This broad, highly interdisciplinary field lets you explore your interests, including:
- Archaeology, our physical link to the past.
- Linguistics, some of the world’s oldest documented languages.
- Art and literature, how ancient people told stories and expressed emotion.
- Philosophy, the study of Socrates, Plato and other groundbreaking figures.
What can I do with a classics degree?
If you want a bright future, start by studying ancient history.
As a classics student, you’ll learn how these societies (and their culture) are reflected in our modern lives. You'll gain a deeper understanding of cultural nuances and build valuable critical thinking skills. And with a broad base in politics, philosophy, history and other disciplines, you’ll have the timeless knowledge that employers value.
Opportunities include careers in:
- Academia.
- Archaeology.
- Archival work.
- Art and arts management.
- Auction house appraisal.
- Business.
- Civil service.
- Communications.
- Information technology.
- Law.
- Library science.
- Media and journalism.
- Medicine and health care.
- Museum curation.
- Politics.
- Public relations.
- Publishing.
- Teaching.
- Social work.
- Theatre and performing arts.
Want to be a teacher?
Be prepared to teach grades 5-12 by getting your bachelor's and master's in just five years through our UB Teach program.
- Save time and money.
- No need to apply to graduate school.
- Be eligible for New York State professional teaching certification.
Visit the department website (at the top of this page) for more details, or see the for a list of all available majors.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $112,950.00 | N/A | |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $78,500.00 | N/A | |
| Interpreters and Translators | $40,540.00 | $19.49 |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.