Program highlights
- World-renowned German studies program. For 50+ years, the BGSU German studies program has cultivated a well-earned reputation for excellence, experiential learning, language immersion and meaningful research opportunities.
- Study abroad for a full year. The graduate-level German study abroad program includes a full year of learning, working, researching and exploring at the University of Salzburg in Austria. (Read more in our study abroad special section.)
- Writer-in-residence. BGSU welcomes an Austrian or German writer to campus for a full semester each year. The program is sponsored by the Max Kade Foundation.
- Robust on-campus cultural connections. German Club holds weekly Stammtisch (meetings), with German chocolate tastings, German music, movie and game nights, German Village trips and an annual Oktoberfest. There are also German plays each semester through the German Drama Workshop. Students also connect with the regular stream of German and Austrian exchange students who study at BGSU each year.
- Dedicated mentors. Graduate assistants – both in Salzburg and Bowling Green – typically work as teaching assistants or research assistants. Teaching assistants are trained in teaching methodology as part of their program and work closely with a course supervisor during their first teaching semester. Research assistants may be assigned to one or more professors to aid in their research projects.
- Accelerated bachelor’s to master’s. Enterprising undergraduate students can finish a B.A. and a master’s in German Studies, typically completing in five years what normally takes at least six.
Multilingual students tend to perform better in all subjects, especially science and geography.
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Career opportunities
An M.A. in German offers far more than advanced German language learning. It cultivates the kind of cross-cultural intelligence and critical thinking that are highly valued in today’s global job market. Graduates of our German studies master’s degree program have been hired in the U.S. and abroad at large international corporations, banks, international NGOs and U.S. government agencies.
Career possibilities for those with a German studies master’s degree include:
- Education. Become a German teacher or professor. With appropriate licensure, you can teach German language, literature and culture at either the K-12 or university level. Some graduates go on to become language program directors, managing and developing language curricula at schools and German language learning centers.
- Translation and interpretation. German-English translators and interpreters are in demand in the business, legal, medical, technical, literary and government sectors. Some find regular work providing translation services at international summits, corporate events and diplomatic engagements.
- International business. Germany has the largest economy in Europe and the third-largest in the world (as of this writing) – just after the U.S. and China. Professionals capable of facilitating communications with German-speaking partners as a business liaison or in import/export specialist are in high demand.
- Government service. Proficiency in German language and culture prepares graduates for prominent work in diplomacy, cultural affairs or intelligence.
- Arts and culture. Promote intercultural exchanges, programming or exhibitions at museums or other cultural institutions.
- Nonprofit and NGO work. Get hired at organizations focused on education, development or humanitarian aid in German-speaking regions or working with German-speaking populations.
Many of our BGSU German M.A. graduates also choose to continue their education by earning a Ph.D. in German, Germanic Languages or Germanic Studies.
Career paths
- Teacher/Professor (high school, community college, university)
- Language researcher
- German-English translator or interpreter
- International account manager
- Intelligence analyst
- Global marketing consultant
- International travel or event coordinator
- Cultural affairs specialist
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
In one survey, more than 40% of multilingual employees in the U.S. say their language skills have helped them land highly competitive jobs.
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Curriculum
The 30-credit hour German M.A. from BGSU offers not only advanced language training, but also a comprehensive understanding of literature, cultural studies, linguistics and pedagogy/teaching. Exact coursework and degree timeline depends on the student’s specialization track:
- Literary and cultural studies
- Language and teaching
- Dual degree – German M.A. with another master’s degree in a complementary field
All German studies graduate students spend the first full year studying abroad at the University of Salzburg. Many also complete their internships (an optional elective) during this time. The second year is spent studying at the BGSU campus in northwest Ohio.
A culminating experience involves one of the following:
- Thesis research
- Capstone experience research project
- Supervised course of study for a comprehensive exam
The German master’s degree curriculum is intended to be flexible enough to meet the needs of both academics working toward doctorate-level study as well as professionals working for organizations with ties to German-speaking countries and populations. Prospective teachers can work on obtaining their teaching certificate and/or completing the Ph.D. preparator program while they work toward their master’s degree.
Sample courses
- Austria Today
- German Culture and Civilization
- The German Film
- Teaching College German
- Contemporary German
- The German Drama Workshop
German M.A. study abroad
A major component of the two-year German master’s degree program at BGSU is an immersive learning experience in Austria. Spend the first full academic year at the University of Salzburg in Austria. BGSU has maintained a long-standing “Golden Partnership” with the Austrian university.
From September to June, students in the Austrian academic year abroad (AYA) program improve their language skills, deepen their knowledge of German-speaking countries and culture and experience Austrian higher education firsthand.
Cultural excursions are also baked into the experience. Prior trips have included trips to Vienna, snowshoeing at Nationalpark Hohe Tauern and outings to the picturesque town of Golling an der Salzach during observation of Perchtenlaufenl, a traditional alpine winter festival.
Graduate students in AYA are also encouraged to gain invaluable work experience by securing internships at Austrian companies, educational institutions, businesses or charitable organizations. Graduate and research assistantships are also available.
Graduate certificate in German for professionals and educators
Interested in greater German language proficiency but not looking to commit to a full master’s degree program? The Graduate certificate in German for professionals and educators is an 18-credit certificate program that addresses the needs of teachers and working professionals/organizations with ties to German-speaking countries (namely Germany, Austria and Switzerland) or client bases.
Goals of the German certificate program
- Provide professional-grade German language skills.
- Deepen cultural knowledge of the German world.
- Acquire advanced intercultural competence.
The certificate program – the only one of its kind in Ohio – includes an international study abroad component. Spend a semester or summer at the University of Salzburg in Austria.
The GRE is not required for admission to the certificate program. Credits earned for the certificate count toward the master’s degree if you decide to apply to the M.A. program.
German M.A. admissions
BGSU German M.A. applicants must have an undergraduate major or minor in German. You must submit:
- Three letters of recommendation, including from at least one person who can comment on German proficiency and one that can comment on previous and potential academic performance
- A statement of purpose that includes motivation for applying to graduate school, qualifications, goals your area of study and professional aspirations after graduation
- Writing sample – an academic paper written in a German class that best reflects your potential for German graduate studies
- Transcripts
International applicants may need to meet additional requirements. The Department of World Languages and Cultures begins reviewing completed applications starting Feb. 15. More information is available from BGSU Graduate Admissions.
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The Master of Arts in German program is a part of World Languages and Cultures in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Updated: 04/28/2025 03:43PM