German Major

The major in German requires 24 hours in courses numbered 3000 or above with a minimum grade of “C” in each course. There are 6 courses (18 hours) required of German majors:

Students may select the other 2 courses (6 hours) from a wide variety of literature and special topics courses such as: Multicultural Germany, medieval German literature, literature of the Enlightenment, German-Jewish authors, literary responses to the Holocaust, literature after 1945, German film, and genre courses such as drama, poetry, or the novella (a genre that could be described as the X-Files of the 19th century).

The German program is also very flexible in allowing students to utilize credit from study abroad.

Please visit the German section website for more information.

Honors

For information about graduating with honors, click here.

German Minor

The minor in German requires 15 hours in courses numbered 3000 or above. There are 3 courses (9 hours) required of German minors:

Students may select the other 2 courses (6 hours) from a wide variety of literature and special topics courses such as: Multicultural Germany, medieval German literature, literature of the Enlightenment, German-Jewish authors, literary responses to the Holocaust, literature after 1945, German film, and genre courses such as drama, poetry, or the novella (a genre that could be described as the X-Files of the 19th century).

The German program is also very flexible in allowing students to utilize credit from study abroad.

Please visit the German section website for more information.

German MA

Graduate students pursuing the M.A. program in German take a variety of courses in preparation for the comprehensive M.A. exam, e.g., the history and theory of literary genres, representative authors of the chief historical periods, and thematic approaches to literature such as Faust, the modern city, literature and film, or the Holocaust. In addition to the course offerings of the German program, students have options in pursuing individual interests in comparative literature, history, literary translation, art history, gender studies, or pedagogy. Students may also wish to take classes in Business German or become certified in community college teaching.

The M.A. program provides a solid preparation for students who intend to go on for the Ph.D., enabling them compete successfully at highly prestigious schools. Its comprehensive curriculum also provides a sound base for career opportunities in education, government, and in a corporate environment.

A low student-faculty ratio allows our dedicated, professionally-active faculty to offer students support and mentoring. The German Club, the German film series, and the weekly Stammtisch add to the congenial atmosphere and cultural enrichment of the program.

Teaching Assistants

The program stress both research and teaching skills. The Department of Foreign Languages offers teaching assistantships with funding for two years, contingent upon satisfactory teaching evaluations and progress toward the degree. Teaching assistants generally teach beginning or intermediate German under the close supervision of dedicated faculty. A course in pedagogical methodology, an orientation before each fall semester, and frequent monitoring provide for superior professional preparation. Assistants receive remission of tuition and fees in addition to their stipend, and may apply for available summer teaching.

Click here for more information or to apply for a teaching assistantship.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Arts Program in German requires a Bachelor of Arts degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution with suitable preparation in both language and literature. Graduate assistantship applications should be submitted by February 1 for the most favorable consideration, but are accepted as long as vacancies exist. The Graduate School requires that international students score a minimum of 550 on the TOEFL for admission and 50 on the TSE to qualify for an assistantship. The German program requires either an oral interview or a tape of the candidate’s spoken German.

Click here to visit the Graduate School's website and to apply.

Please visit the German section website for more details.