By providing foundations in classical principles and pedagogy, the classical education concentration aspires to form educators as master teachers. Students in the program explore the historical, philosophic, literary, aesthetic, rhetorical and scientific roots of the liberal arts in the Western tradition.
Classical Education, Department & Faculty
The University of Dallas Classical Education Graduate Program fosters inquiry, cultivates virtue, and instills wisdom.
The University of Dallas is a leader in the classical education movement, supplying schools around the country with principled, skilled teachers and administrators.
With dedicated faculty and staff drawing on extensive experience in the academy and the classical classroom, and assisted by UD's world-class undergraduate faculty, the Classical Education Graduate Program combines the ethos of the university’s Core Curriculum tradition with a focus on the theory and practice of classical education, bringing these to working and aspiring classical school teachers, school administrators, and others both locally and around the country.
To meet the needs of busy teachers and administrators, our courses — including offerings such as Philosophy of Education, Trivium, Quadrivium, Classical Pedagogy, and History of Liberal Arts Education — are offered online during the academic year and online and onsite during the summer months.
More Information on the Program:
Make sure to consult the degree requirements, as well as our FAQ.
Program Tracks
The University of Dallas offers multiple tracks in Classical Education:
The Master of Arts in Humanities with Classical Education Concentration is a 36-hour program. The thesis track includes 15 credits of required courses, 6 credit hours of thesis, and 15 hours of electives, including an optional practicum component. This track requires demonstrated proficiency in a foreign language, usually Greek or Latin. See the full requirements.
The Master of Arts in Humanities with Classical Education Concentration is a 36-hour
program. The non-thesis track includes 15 credits of required courses and 21 hours
of electives, including an optional practicum component. See the full requirements.
The Master of Arts in Humanities with Jewish Classical Education Concentration is
a 30-hour program. The thesis track includes 24 credits of required courses, 6 credit
hours of thesis, and 6 hours of electives, including an optional practicum component.
This track requires demonstrated proficiency in at least one of the following foreign
languages: Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French, German, and Italian. See the full requirements.
Master of Arts in Humanities with Jewish Classical Education Concentration is a 36-hour
program. The non-thesis track includes 24 credits of required courses and 12 hours
of electives, including an optional practicum component. This track requires demonstrated
proficiency in at least one of the following foreign languages: Hebrew, Greek, Latin,
French, German, and Italian. See the full requirements.
The Certificate of Classical Learning comprises three required courses — Trivium, Quadrivium and Philosophy of Education — and three elective courses, for a total of 18 credit hours. See the full requirements.
A Regular Cycle of Course Offerings
While you can complete the program at your own pace, we offer all required courses on a two-year cycle: Philosophy of Education, Trivium, Quadrivium, Classical Pedagogy Ancient & Modern, and one of four Great Works courses. See, in addition to these, descriptions of other regular elective course offerings. You can also see a spreadsheet with current course offerings and information on past course offerings here.
More than a Graduate Program
In addition to the graduate program, the Classical Education team is engaged in several other endeavors, including a K-12 curriculum project, professional development, and more. Subscribe to our newsletter to hear more about these projects, updates about the program, student profiles, and announcements. In addition, we regularly post opportunities, jobs, and events in the world of classical and liberal education in our newsletter.
Designed for the Working Classical School Teacher
With courses offered online during the school year and in-person during the summer, working teachers can earn their master's degree or classical teaching certificate without uprooting their lives or leaving off the important work they're doing in their communities.
Click here to read profiles of some of our students.
Professional Advancement & Apprenticeship
Our classical education program includes a flexible and optional practicum component. Under the direction of a member of our faculty and working with a mentor teacher at the teacher's own school, a local classical school, or homeschooling co-op, classical education students design and implement a custom project putting the principles learned in the classroom into practice. In addition to this apprenticeship, classical education students benefit from connection to our professional network of classical schools, school networks, and leaders in classical education.
Recognized for Teaching Excellence
Over the past fifty years, the faculty of University of Dallas have inspired generations of teachers through their passion and profound knowledge of the classical tradition. With rigorous liberal arts programs at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels, UD’s faculty are among the most accomplished and experienced classical educators in the country. Meet the classical education faculty.