To earn a master’s degree at Washington University, a student must complete all courses required by their department; maintain satisfactory academic progress; pass certain examinations; fulfill all academic and residence requirements; and apply for program completion (graduation) via Workday Student.

For the details of master’s degree general requirements in Arts & Sciences, including an explanation of Satisfactory Academic Progress, students should review the Master’s Degree Academic Information page of the Arts & Sciences Bulletin.

Program Requirements

  • Total Units Required: 30
  • Degree Length: 1 year
    • This program is only for graduate exchange students from the University of Cologne. 9 units of transferred credit hours will be applied for students to work towards the 30 unit requirement: 21 units will be obtained over 2 semesters of study at Washington University. 
    • Note: Students must be enrolled in 9 graduate credits each semester to retain full-time status. As students complete their coursework, if enrolled in fewer than 9 graduate credits, they must enroll in a specific Arts & Sciences graduate course that will show 0 units but does count as full-time status. Students should connect with their department to ensure proper enrollment prior to Add/Drop.
  • Minimum Grade Requirement: B–

Required Courses

  •  GERMAN 5020 Teaching Practicum (1 unit)
  • GERMAN 5030 Theory and Practice of Foreign Language Pedagogy (or equivalent) (2 units) 
  • GERMAN 5801 Master's Thesis Research (0-6 units)

Consult the "Thesis Requirements/Details" section below for more information.

German Seminar Courses

Students are required to take four additional 5000-level German Seminar courses (12 units).

Transfer Credits

The student will transfer 9 units of credit from their previous coursework from the University of Cologne, as determined by the Director of Graduate Studies in Germanic Languages and Literatures. 

Thesis Requirements/Details

During both semesters, students in the Germanic Languages and Literatures, MA, program are required to participate in German Master's Thesis Research: 

Visit the Comparative Literature and Thought page
for additional information about this program.

Contact Info

Contact:Graduate Program Administrator: Germanic Languages and Literatures
Phone:314-935-5170
Email:german@wustl.edu