Admission Requirements

Applicants are considered on an individual basis. The program will accept and review applications for fall and spring semesters. Transcripts for all undergraduate and any graduate work must be uploaded along with all other requirements.

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

• Baccalaureate Field No restrictions. A substantial background in German literature or culture is expected, as is proficiency in written and spoken German.
• Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 in all German courses and in the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study.
• Tests Required None.
• Minimum English Competency Test Score
  • TOEFL iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21, OR,
  • IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
  • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
• Letters of Recommendation (in English) Three required from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic work.
• Personal Statement Required; 250 words. The statement should address the applicant’s purpose and goals.
• Other Requirements Applicants must submit a sample of their academic writing. Applicants must also take part in an interview (face-to-face or via web conferencing) prior to admittance.
• Nondegree Applicants Nondegree applicants holding an undergraduate degree and interested in advanced studies should see the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions website for requirements and application procedures.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

• Minimum Semester Hours Required 32.
• Coursework 

• Comprehensive Examination Written and oral examinations are required of all students and are administered by a committee of one exam coordinator and two other faculty members.
• Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options Thesis or coursework only. No other options available.
  • Thesis:  A thesis may be allowed in place of the written component of the comprehensive exam only when approved by the entire graduate committee. Theses require a committee of a supervisor and two other faculty members. The comprehensive oral exam is required for students completing a thesis. No more than 8 hours of GER 598 can be applied to the degree.
• Other Requirements Language proficiency test as determined by the department for all nonnative speakers of German.

Concentration in Jewish Studies

Students earning a graduate degree in Germanic Studies may enroll in a Graduate Concentration in Jewish Studies. The requirements for this concentration are application to the director of the Jewish Studies Program; approval by a Jewish Studies faculty member, who becomes the student’s Jewish Studies advisor; a total of 16 hours of graduate coursework, including JST 475 and JST 494; and 8 additional hours of coursework approved by the student’s Jewish Studies advisor. Up to 4 of these hours can be in directed study or thesis research on an appropriate topic approved by the Jewish Studies advisor. Language competence in Hebrew or Yiddish is required.

Interdepartmental Concentrations

Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in select concentrations after consulting with their graduate advisor. Interdepartmental concentrations available for this degree include:

• Black Studies
• Central and Eastern European Studies
• Gender and Women's Studies