The program prepares students for admission to Ph.D. programs, as well as for professional language careers in a number of fields. Courses in language, linguistics, literature, teaching techniques and skills, seminars in various specialized aspects of German studies, and directed study and research provide candidates with opportunities to acquire a comprehensive background in German. Resources include extensive library holdings in Germanic literature and linguistics, periodical and book collections in methodology and an electronically equipped audiovisual laboratory for language training.
Teaching assistants receive training in pedagogy.
Applicants to the graduate program must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university or the equivalent, a GPA of B or higher on the last 60 hours of the undergraduate course of study and an undergraduate major in German or the equivalent. The department reserves the right to evaluate the work presented for admission and to determine how the student may make up for background deficiencies. Students must complete a minimum of 30 hours of graduate-level courses with a GPA of B or higher. No fewer than 24 hours are to be earned in German courses and at least 15 hours must be taken in German courses at the 400 level. A thesis, with a maximum of six hours of credit or a critical essay, with a maximum of three hours credit, is optional.