Classical Languages & Literature
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Types of Degrees Classical Languages & Literature Majors Are Getting
The following table lists how many classical languages and literature graduations there were in 2020-2021 for each degree level.
Education Level | Number of Grads |
---|---|
Master’s Degree | 217 |
Doctor’s Degree | 67 |
Graduate Certificate | 19 |
What Classical Languages & Literature Majors Need to Know
People with careers related to classical languages were asked what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. They weighted these areas on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest.
Knowledge Areas for Classical Languages Majors
According to O*NET survey takers, a major in classical languages should prepare you for careers in which you will need to be knowledgeable in the following areas:
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Foreign Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
- Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Skills for Classical Languages Majors
When studying classical languages, you’ll learn many skills that will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs - even those that do not require a degree in the field. The following is a list of some of the most common skills needed for careers associated with this major:
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Abilities for Classical Languages Majors
Classical Languages majors often go into careers where the following abilities are vital:
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
What Can You Do With a Classical Languages & Literature Major?
Below is a list of occupations associated with classical languages:
Job Title | Job Growth Rate | Median Salary |
---|---|---|
Foreign Language and Literature Professors | 11.7% | $67,640 |
Interpreters and Translators | 17.7% | $49,930 |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 7.5% | $60,320 |
Who Is Getting a Master’s Degree in Classical Languages & Literature?
Racial-Ethnic Diversity
At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of classical languages majors is as follows:
Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
---|---|
Asian | 4 |
Black or African American | 5 |
Hispanic or Latino | 12 |
White | 148 |
International Students | 29 |
Other Races/Ethnicities | 19 |
Geographic Diversity
Classical Languages appeals to people across the globe. About 13.4% of those with this major are international students. The most popular countries for students from outside the country are:
- China
- Italy
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Greece
How Much Do Classical Languages & Literature Majors Make?
Salaries According to BLS
Average salaries range from $55,230 to $79,160 (25th to 75th percentile) for careers related to classical languages. This range includes all degree levels, so you may expect those with a more advanced degree to make more while those with less advanced degrees will typically make less.
To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.
Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Classical Languages & Literature
Some careers associated with classical languages require an advanced degree while some may not even require a bachelor’s. In general, the more advanced your degree the more career options will open up to you. However, there is significant time and money that needs to be invested into your education so weigh the pros and cons.
How much schooling do you really need to compete in today’s job market? People currently working in careers related to classical languages have obtained the following education levels.
Education Level | Percentage of Workers |
---|---|
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) | 0.3% |
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) | 0.3% |
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 2.9% |
Bachelor’s Degree | 41.2% |
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. | 7.2% |
Master’s Degree | 23.0% |
Post-Master’s Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master’s degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. | 4.3% |
Doctoral Degree | 21.5% |
Online Classical Languages & Literature Programs
In 2020-2021, 275 schools offered a classical languages program of some type. The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.
Degree Level | Colleges Offering Programs | Colleges Offering Online Classes |
---|---|---|
Certificate (Less Than 1 Year) | 0 | 0 |
Certificate (1-2 years) | 1 | 0 |
Certificate (2-4 Years) | 0 | 0 |
Associate’s Degree | 2 | 0 |
Bachelor’s Degree | 15 | 1 |
Post-Baccalaureate | 0 | 0 |
Master’s Degree | 86 | 1 |
Post-Master’s | 1 | 0 |
Doctor’s Degree (Research) | 45 | 1 |
Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice) | 0 | 0 |
Doctor’s Degree (Other) | 0 | 0 |
Is a Degree in Classical Languages & Literature Worth It?
The median salary for a classical languages grad is $64,340 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.
This is 61% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $488,800 after 20 years!
Top Ranking Lists for Classical Languages & Literature
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Majors Related to Classical Languages & Literature
You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to classical languages.
References
*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.
- College Factual
- College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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