The Graduate Certificate In Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Information on earning the Graduate Certificate in Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Margaret of Antioch and Dragon pictureThe Graduate Certificate in Medieval and Renaissance Studies is designed for students who wish to purse their interest in pre-modern and early modern culture in a supportive, interdisciplinary, and intellectually stimulating environment.

Students completing the certificate will:

  • Gain a knowledge and appreciation of the historical, cultural, intellectual, religious, literary, artistic and linguistic foundations of medieval and Renaissance civilization;
  • Develop skills appropriate to an interdisciplinary analysis of medieval and Renaissance texts, documents and other evidentiary materials;
  • Learn to integrate the practices of different disciplines in the pursuit, acquisition and development of knowledge, specifically with respect to the Middle Ages and Renaissance but in a manner applicable to other areas as well;
  • Acquire skills useful in a wide variety of careers, including teaching, publishing, library science, law, the arts, and museum studies.

Program Requirements


18 hours graduate coursework  (6 classes)

  • 9 graduate hours (3 classes) in the student’s “home” department; (these count toward both degrees in most cases)
  • 3 graduate hours (1 class) on a topic related to Medieval or Renaissance history and culture;
  • 3 graduate hours (1 class) on a topic related to Medieval or Renaissance textual studies;
  • 3 graduate hours (1 class) on a topic related to Medieval or Renaissance visual arts or music.

In most cases, coursework completed in pursuit of other graduate degrees will also fulfill requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Medieval and Renaissance Studies.

Language Proficiency

Demonstration of language proficiency by completing a graduate level language course or passing a language competency exam while enrolled in the program. (The latter typically involves translating an intermediate 350-500 word passage using a dictionary over 3 hours.)

The Graduate Certificate in Medieval and Renaissance Studies can be completed on its own OR in conjunction with another graduate degree.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
  • UofL Graduate School admissions application at : http://graduate.louisville.edu/apply
  • Statement of purpose (500 words maximum), submitted with the online application
  • Official undergraduate transcript(s) 
  • Interview with the program director, Dr. Jennifer Westerfeld (Department of History) 

Application Process

All application materials are to be submitted online through the Graduate School's application portal. Your dossier will then be forwarded to the program director for review.

     CLICK HERE TO BEGIN YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION