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The German Graduate ProgramInnovation combined with a solid foundation in
traditional approaches characterizes the program of study leading to the The Department of German is particularly well represented in the field of modern German literature, philosophy, and cultural studies. There is strong research and teaching interest in the eighteenth century, the Age of Goethe, Classicism, Romanticism, Realism, and twentieth-century literature. An Emphasis in Comparative Literature, Emphasis in Critical Theory, Emphasis in Feminist Studies, and an Emphasis in Visual Studies are available to all graduate students in the School of Humanities. Students take an active part in the Department's intellectual life. Speakers from a large number of universities present papers at regular colloquia that offer occasion for intense discussion. Distinguished visiting professors often join the Department, bringing new perspectives and impulses. The Goethe Institute in nearby Los Angeles also provides many special events, including visits by German writers, film presentations (in addition to the Department's regular offerings), and teachers' workshops. The UCI Library contains more than 2 million volumes and supports work and research in many areas. Special collections include the Hans Waldmüller Thomas Mann Collection and the René Wellek library. Students and faculty also enjoy access to the entire University of California library system. Admission The graduate program in German is essentially a Ph.D. program; only students intending to pursue studies for the doctorate are admitted. Official admission to the Ph.D. program is contingent upon completion of the M.A. during the second year of study. Students who already hold the M.A. degree are encouraged to apply. Course of Study A student arriving with a B.A. normally will require three years to complete course work for the Ph.D. degree and qualify for advancement to candidacy. A student arriving with an M.A. will normally require only two. Most of the course work is done within the Department, but students are encouraged to broaden their studies by taking related courses in other departments in the School of Humanities. Students may combine graduate study in German with substantial course work in comparative literature, critical theory, feminist theory, or visual studies; other combinations of courses may be selected in consultation with the graduate advisor. Our innovative exam structure (involving course-syllabus development) and post-exam time line are designed both to expedite progress to degree and to enhance the professional training of our students. Teaching Experience Since the majority of Ph.D. candidates choose careers as teachers, the Department recognizes its obligation to offer preparatory experience. All candidates for the Ph.D. degree are required to teach at least one course in each of three quarters under the supervision of the German Language Program Director. Three of these courses may be counted toward the twenty-two required courses for the Ph.D. degree. The Department provides extensive opportunities for supervised teaching experience far exceeding that available to students in many other graduate programs. Innovative language pedagogy is applied with the full participation of graduate students. After completion of course work and advancement to candidacy, students normally participate in teaching the Humanities Core Course, which is required of all freshmen in the School of Humanities as well as a significant number of other UCI undergraduates. This enables Ph.D. candidates to broaden the scope of their teaching experience before seeking their first position. Career Placement
Those students who have chosen not to pursue careers in academia have found employment in technology, the import/export business, foreign service, international banking and international marketing. Some of our alumni currently hold diverse positions such as vice president of an international bank, civilian intelligence officer with the US Air Force, German wine merchant, US Army language instructor and owner/operator of a translation service.
Financial SupportFellowships The University Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, also multi-year, is awarded to one of the most exceptional students entering a UCI Ph.D. program within the School of Humanities. It consists of four years of support: a substantial academic-year stipend, student fees and if applicable, nonresident tuition the first year; two years of teaching assistantships and an academic year of support while the student is writing the dissertation. Chancellor's Fellowships are awarded to the most distinguished students entering UCI for study leading to the Ph.D. degree. The fellowship includes a substantial academic-year stipend, student fees and if applicable, nonresident tuition for one year. Regents' Fellowships are awarded to outstanding students entering UCI for study leading to the Ph.D. degree. The fellowship supports all required student fees and nonresident tuition, if applicable. Institute for European Studies (IES) Fellowships are awarded to meritorious entering graduate students demonstrating an interest in modern European studies. A recipient will receive two years of support, an academic-year stipend, student fees and if applicable, nonresident tuition the first year and a teaching assistantship and fees the second year. Diversity Fellowships are awarded to promising students pursuing an academic career, both new and continuing, who demonstrate that they have overcome socioeconomic and educational limitations. For entering students the fellowship covers resident fees and is accompanied by multiple-year teaching assistantships. For more information about Diversity Fellowships, visit this web site: http://www.rgs.uci.edu/grad/finance/fin_diversity.htm. Regents' Dissertation Quarter Fellowships are awarded to students who have advanced to Ph.D. candidacy and are making significant progress in writing the dissertation. The fellowship includes fee payment and stipends for one quarter. Summer Dissertation Fellowships are awarded to students who have advanced to Ph.D. candidacy and pay stipends during the summer months. Teaching Assistantships Application to the Program Application to the program is electronic. In addition to the application, the following items are required:
If you are an applicant whose primary language is not English, you must demonstrate proficiency in English for admission consideration. This requirement, however, is waived automatically for applicants who have completed all of the requirements for their high school diploma, bachelors degree, or an advanced degree in a country where the primary and dominant language is English and English was the language of instruction of the school where the requirements were completed. Proficiency in English may be demonstrated by passing either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For further details, visit the Information Page for International Applicants. If English is not your primary language and you wish to establish eligibility for appointment as a teaching assistant, you must pass one of the following English proficiency exams: Test of Spoken English (TSE), Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Testing (TOEFL-iBT), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Spoken Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) or Test of Oral English Proficiency (TOEP). For further details, please see English Language Proficiency for International TAs. Any material not submitted electronically should be mailed to the department address:
The recommended application deadline is January 15 for the subsequent fall quarter. Admission can be granted for any quarter; however, only fall quarter applications are considered for fellowships and teaching assistantships. Graduate Student Housing All graduate students new to UCI are guaranteed on-campus housing but must apply. For information on housing opportunities and the application, visit http://www.housing.uci.edu/graduate/. With questions or for further information, e-mail german@uci.edu. |
M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in
German at UCI. Special emphasis is placed on integrating literary texts
into pertinent cultural and theoretical contexts as well as on
understanding literature in its aesthetic, social, and historical
dimensions.