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Graduate Program

a comprehensive program in the language, literature, and culture – past and present – of Germany and German‐speaking countries

The graduate program in Germanic Languages and Literatures comprises a vibrant community of scholars and students dedicated to the advanced study of German-speaking literature and culture in its global contexts, both past and present. Our faculty conduct transformative research that is helping to shape the discipline in the 21st century. Our students enroll in innovative, interdisciplinary seminars, receive exceptional mentoring, and have the opportunity to participate in teaching and internship experiences that will prepare them for careers in academia and beyond.

The combination of our generous funding packages and the low cost of living in St. Louis ensures that our students have the resources they need to thrive both personally and intellectually. Most of our PhD recipients go on to accept faculty positions at research universities and liberal arts colleges, and our MA in Higher Education students often go on to work in university administration. Our graduates have also pursued careers in consulting, translation, secondary school teaching, non-profit management, and arts administration.

Explore Degrees

PhD in German

The Ph.D. in German offers an innovative, globally-oriented course of study in the language, literature, and culture – past and present - of Germany and German-speaking countries.

learn more about the PhD in German

Joint PhD in German and Comparative Literature

The joint doctoral program with comparative literature consists of a complete graduate program in German and intensive course work in comparative methodology and literary theory.

Learn more about the joint doctoral program

MA in German Studies and Higher Education

The master's program in German studies and higher education offers qualified students with a strong background in German the opportunity to combine advanced study of German language, literature, and culture with coursework in higher education administration.

learn more about the higher education master's degree

Interdisciplinary Certificates

Our innovative certificate programs give graduate students the option of developing an expertise in one of seven associated fields.

Learn more about interdisciplinary study

Financial Support

The PhD Program in Germanic Langauges and Literatures provides students admitted into the program with full financial support for a minimum of five years as long as the student remains in good academic standing. Funding includes full tuition remission and a generous stipend ($36,050 in 2024-25, over 12 months).

Students in the MA in German and Higher Education Administration receive a full tuition remission as well as a generous stipend to cover living expenses. All graduate students are also eligible to apply for additional funding for conference participation and research abroad.

In addition, departmental funding, students can apply for competitive university fellowships with enhanced funding for outstanding students in select target groups. Visit the Office of Graduate Studies in Arts & Sciences website for more funding information.

Teaching and Internships

The German Program at Washington University provides graduate students with exceptional training and mentoring for their teaching both here at Washington University and in their future careers. Our students have an opportunity to assist with and teach a wide variety of courses, including introductory through advanced German, as well as courses in Comparative Literature, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and Film and Media Studies. At the beginning of their teaching experience, students work in close collaboration with the Foreign Language Pedagogy specialist, as well as other faculty members, who serve in a variety of capacities as mentors and advisers. As they gain more experience and prove themselves, students have the opportunity to teach their own courses under the supervision of a faculty mentor.

The German Program also offers its graduate students an opportunity to do semester-long internships (Mentored Professional Experiences, or MPEs) to help them develop skills that translate across professional fields. MPEs may take place on or off campus in the St Louis area. Recent placements include Arts & Sciences College Office, Olin Library, Special Collections, Center for the Humanities, Public Scholarship, Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri History Museum. Students will be matched according to their scholarly interests and/or the professional skills they are looking to develop.

For more information about our pedagogy program for graduate students and the MTE and MPE requirements for the degree, please contact our Director of Graduate Studies.