Department of German

*German is currently not accepting graduate applications.

The Department of German offers a PhD program that includes the MA degree as a required step toward the PhD. The program trains future scholars in German Studies and prepares them to be competitive on the national job market. It encourages interdisciplinary work and students are required to pursue a certificate or related area in programs such as Cultural Studies, Film Studies, Women Studies, European Studies, or in another related area.

Contact Information

Director of Graduate Studies: Randall Halle
412-648-2614
Fax: 412-624-6318
E-mail:rhalle@pitt.edu
http://www.german.pitt.edu/

Additional information concerning the department’s graduate program may be obtained from the University of Pittsburgh, Department of German, 1518 Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Phone: 412-624-5909. E-mail: grmndept@pitt.edu.

For more on each of the following programs, visit http://www.german.pitt.edu/graduate/.

Admissions

All applicants apply for the PhD program. Applicants should have a BA or MA in German or a related field. Students with training in related fields will be considered for full graduate status if their background in German language and culture is sufficient to succeed in graduate-level courses. For admission to the PhD, students completing their MA at the University of Pittsburgh must pass a preliminary evaluation in their final semester of study. For students entering with an MA from another institution, this evaluation takes place by the end of their first year of study at the University of Pittsburgh.

Applications should include:

an Application Form;
a Statement of Intent (Please describe your intellectual background, research interests, and academic goals);
3 Letters of Recommendation;
Official Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate study (non-US degrees must be accompanied by a notarized English translation);
an audio recording (Non-native speakers should supply a recording in which they 1) speak freely about a topic and 2) read formally a passage from a literary or academic text);
a Writing Sample (a research paper or selection from a thesis of about 20 pages that offers an example of the applicant’s ability to conduct research and provide evidence of strong writing skills. It may be in either English or German.);
TOEFL scores (Required of Foreign Students: minimum score of 550 [paper-based test] / 80 [internet-based test]) or the IELTS administered by the University of Cambridge, Local Examinations Syndicate with a minimum score of 6.5 (taking the academic and reading modules); and
an Application fee of $50 (Please contact the Director of Graduate Studies if this represents a financial hardship).

Applicants are required to submit all materials for fall term admissions by January 2. Students who would like to be considered for non-teaching fellowships are encouraged to submit their applications before the New Year. Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered only if space is available. Applications are submitted online at app.applyyourself.com/?id=up-as.

Financial Assistance

Students with a high proficiency in oral German are eligible for teaching assistantships or teaching fellowships for up to five years (three years when entering with the MA). These assistantships/fellowships consist of full tuition scholarships and living expense stipends. Aid is guaranteed for the duration of the assistantship/fellowship provided the student remains in good academic standing and makes satisfactory progress toward the degree. Students may also apply for graduate tuition scholarships, Andrew Mellon Predoctoral Fellowships, the Lillian B. Lawler Scholarship/Fellowship, the Provost’s Humanities Fellowships, the Fellowships in Cultural Studies, and Exchange Fellowships with the Universities of Augsburg and Bonn. A number of these fellowships are available for first-year graduate students. Interested candidates should submit their completed applications to the department by the beginning of January.

Faculty

http://www.german.pitt.edu/people/

Programs

Doctoral

German, PhD

Master’s

German, MA

Courses

German

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