Only those students who have demonstrated academic excellence at the M.A. level will be admitted to the Ph.D. program. For the most part, Ph.D. students pursue individualized programs of study. Students who have earned M.A. degrees at other institutions should consult with the director of graduate studies regarding the transfer of credit. Students from other institutions take German 205 during their first year of teaching at UNC-Chapel Hill. This is usually French, but students may petition the department to substitute some other language.
Students normally take the Ph.D. examination at the end of the second year of doctoral studies.
To be admitted to candidacy for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, students must have completed all course work, fulfilled the foreign language requirement, passed the Ph.D. examination, and developed a satisfactory dissertation prospectus. All students must write an acceptable dissertation based on independent research. The department nominates outstanding students for competitive non-service fellowships awarded by the Graduate School. A varying number of teaching assistantships are awardedannually to qualified graduate students. Duties involve instructing German at the elementary or intermediate level.