Master of Arts in Egyptology & Coptology

The graduate program in Egyptology/Coptology at AUC offers an outstanding opportunity to study Egyptology/Coptology at the graduate level in Egypt.

There are 3 different possible tracks for the MA:

• Art, Archaeology and History
• Language, Literature and Religion
• Coptology

The graduate program will help prepare students for careers in Egyptology/Coptology and for further studies in the discipline. It takes full advantage of being located in Egypt where students can visit and study the monuments in context, as well as gain practical experience in their chosen field. The program is designed to expose students to different aspects of the discipline, teach them to think critically and creatively, and put into practice the academic skills that they are acquiring. To ensure AUC graduates a high quality of academic opportunity and flexibility, these programs follow international guidelines for similar degrees at accredited institutions in the USA and Europe.

Requirements

The MA consists of a total of 27 credits: 8 courses (7 classroom courses, 1 of field-work, appropriate to each candidate’s interest, which can be substituted for an alternative class for the Coptology MA), and a thesis. 4 are core courses, and 4 can be chosen by the student. Thus, for students with an archaeological interest this will be more excavation focused, and for students who are more philologically inclined, this will be more epigraphic in nature. If students have a non-Egyptology background, up to a year of additional course work of prerequisites might be required, although obtaining an A- or above on placement tests in the requisite subjects would waive them. These classes will be drawn from the undergraduate offerings, but for graduate students will require extra work in the form of a more extensive reading list, more detailed and longer papers, and more challenging exams.Some of these courses can be taken, with instructors’ consent, while taking graduate courses.

We also require students to have a reading knowledge of either French or German prior to writing a thesis, which would be tested by a language exam. If the student’s research can be performed successfully without knowledge of a second language, the department may exempt the student from this requirement.

A thesis is required in all three branches of the MA in Egyptology and Coptology. The thesis must be written in English and submitted in accordance with university regulations.

A maximum of two 400-level courses may be taken as part of the MA program. Approved 300 and 400 level courses may be taken at the 500 level in special circumstances.

Admission Criteria

Applicants seeking admission to the graduate program should have an undergraduate degree of high standing (3.0 equivalent to a B or higher), and pass the Egyptology Unit’s English language proficiency test (if deemed necessary). Admission will only be in the fall semester. To continue in the program, a 3.0 average must be maintained.

Breakdown of Courses for Each Track: