German

Field of Study: Philosophy
Degree Level: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Duration: 6 semesters (3 years)
Language of Instruction: German, English
Admission Requirements: Abitur or equivalent, language proficiency in German and English
Program Overview:
The Bachelor’s program in Philosophy at the University of Illinois offers students an in-depth exploration of fundamental questions concerning existence, knowledge, ethics, and the nature of reality. The curriculum is designed to cultivate critical thinking, analytical skills, and philosophical inquiry, preparing graduates for diverse career paths or advanced studies in philosophy, law, journalism, and other related fields. Throughout the program, students engage with classical and contemporary philosophical texts, participate in philosophical debates, and develop their own arguments and perspectives. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, encouraging students to connect philosophical theories with historical, cultural, and scientific contexts. Core courses cover areas such as ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, logic, and the history of philosophy, providing a comprehensive foundation. Elective modules allow students to specialize in areas such as political philosophy, philosophy of science, or philosophy of mind. The program also fosters advanced research and critical writing skills, culminating in a bachelor’s thesis. Extracurricular activities, seminars, and conferences further enrich the academic experience. Graduates of this program acquire analytical rigor, ethical awareness, and the ability to think systematically about complex issues, skills highly valued in many professional domains. With instruction offered in both German and English, students are encouraged to develop linguistic proficiency and intercultural understanding. The program prepares students for careers in academia, education, public service, journalism, and beyond, or for further academic pursuits at the graduate level. The University of Illinois’ philosophy program maintains strong ties with local, national, and international philosophical communities, offering students unique networking and research opportunities.

Applicants should apply online (www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply/) and submit:

• a statement of purpose,
• three letters of recommendation  
• a sample of their written work in English or German or both.

In order to receive full consideration for all possible sources of financial aid, applications must be completed no later than January 1. We will accept applications after that date, but we cannot guarantee that financial aid will still be available. For admission to the Master of Arts program, the writing sample might be a term paper. Original transcripts (with English translations if applicable) showing all undergraduate and graduate work completed should be sent to:

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required. The applicant should ask the ETS to submit scores to institution 1836. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and must score at least 79 on the internet-based test (iBT); they must also pass the speaking sub-section of the iBT with a minimum score of 24.

Financial Aid

All students accepted into the program have financial support, usually in the form of a Assistantship, Research Assistantship, or Fellowship.

Teaching Assistantships

Graduate teaching assistants are essential to the program of instruction of the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures. They normally provide instruction in the first six semesters of German language under the direction of a faculty course coordinator.

Assistantships generally include a tuition and service fee waiver. Teaching assistants can also apply for a limited number of summer teaching assistantships. Summer teaching assistants are expected to be enrolled.

For first-year assistants, the teaching load is normally one section in the fall, two in the spring semester; for continuing assistants, the load is normally two sections in the fall and one in the spring.

Because of the importance of graduate teaching actions to the instructional program of the department, and because of the importance of the assistantships to the students' professional development, the department takes very seriously the role of faculty members as supervisors and mentors. The faculty course coordinator is responsible for selecting and making available the curricular materials (including textbooks, realia, and other supplementary materials), setting instructional and grading policies, overseeing the preparation and administration of examinations, providing guidance to the teaching assistants in the form of regular meetings, and where possible serving as master teacher.

In addition to faculty course coordinators, the department mentors its teaching assistants through faculty observers who visit classes taught by the teaching assistants. Faculty visitation has a two-fold purpose: to assist graduate students in their development as teachers and to monitor the quality of instruction offered in the department

Research Assistantships

With remuneration at the same rate as teaching assistantships, research assistantships are often available for qualified continuing students.

Fellowships

The University of Illinois makes available on a competitive basis a number of generous fellowships in support of graduate study and research. The School of Literatures, Cultures, and Linguistics is a source of attractive fellowship support. In addition, each year the Department may nominate a limited number of outstanding students for University Fellowships. Exceptional students applying for admission may be nominated to compete in the university's Distinguished Fellowships program.

At the appropriate stage, graduate students may apply for Dissertation Completion Fellowships; Dissertation Travel Grants, which subsidize travel and other costs associated with doctoral dissertation research; Humanities Graduate Students Research and Conference Support; and On-Campus Dissertation Research Grants and Thesis/Project Support Grants. The Department has received generous grants from the Max Kade foundation for additional graduate student fellowship support.

Graduate students in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures have also been extremely successful in obtaining external fellowships and grants for study and research at home and abroad. Awards have been made by such prestigious agencies as the American Association of University Women, the American-Scandinavian Foundation, the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, and Fullbright-Hayes Students with external fellowships may not hold university fellowships concurrently. Information and assistance in applying for funding from these and other sources is provided by the director of graduate studies.

Fellowships and Assistantships Abroad

The stipends for the fellowships and assistantships abroad are comparable to those for students serving in the department as teaching or research assistants. The Department selects graduate students each year to study at our exchange universities: Göttingen, Greifswald, and Heidelberg.

Austria-Illinois Exchange Program (AIEP)

The Department regularly selects a graduate student to serve as administrative assistant to the program director in Vienna.

The AIEP graduate assistant performs teaching and administrative duties under the supervision of theresident director. These included the following: teaching of one advanced language course each semester, preparation for and assistance during fall-and spring-semester orientation programs, assistance with other aspects of program administration, such as bureaucratic tasks associated with life and study in Vienna, preparation for and supervision of participants during extracurricular events, and nurturing good relations with the exchange partners.

Departmental Policy on Financial Aid

Financial aid is normally provided as follows:

1. For students with a B.A. working toward the M.A. or M.A.T.G. degrees: two academic years. To meet the requirement for normal progress, the student must pass the M.A. or M.A.T.G. examinations before the end of the second semester of the second year of support.
2. For students with the M.A. working toward the Ph.D. degree: two academic years for the completion of course requirements. To demonstrate normal progress, the student must pass the preliminary examinations, both written and oral, before the end of the second semester of the second year of support.
3. For students who have passed the preliminary examinations and are working toward completion of the doctoral dissertation: two academic years.

Summer teaching by graduate students or appointment as Assistant to the Director of the Austria-Illinois Exchange Program in Vienna will not be counted in the above limits.

Academic-year fellowships and assistantships for study abroad count as one semester of financial aid for students who have not yet passed the preliminary examination for the doctorate, but as a full year at the dissertation stage.

The department guarantees six years (2-2-2) of financial aid contingent on normal progress toward a degree and availability of funds. Renewal of teaching assistantships is also contingent on the rendering of satisfactory service by the assistant.

Since the primary purpose of financial aid is to enable students to pursue graduate studies toward a degree, all financial aid is contingent upon the student's maintenance of normal progress toward a degree. Students working towards the M.A. degree shall be full-time students, enrolled in an average of 3 units per semester, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0; students in the doctoral program shall be full-time students, enrolled in an average of 3 units per semester, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary program in German, designed to develop proficiency in the German language and provide an in-depth understanding of German-speaking cultures, literature, and history. The program emphasizes both linguistic skills and cultural literacy, preparing students for careers in international relations, translation, education, business, and academia. Students enrolled in the degree program engage in a challenging curriculum that includes advanced language courses, literary analysis, historical studies, and cultural topics, enabling them to attain a high level of fluency and critical understanding. The program also provides opportunities for study abroad experiences in German-speaking countries, fostering immersive language acquisition and intercultural competence. Through coursework and extracurricular activities, students can explore German cinema, philosophy, politics, and societal issues, gaining a broad perspective on the German-speaking world. Faculty members are dedicated scholars and linguists committed to mentoring students and supporting research initiatives. Many graduates go on to pursue graduate studies or careers in translation, international diplomacy, teaching, or media. The university’s language labs, cultural centers, and partnerships with institutions in Germany contribute to a rich educational environment. The program is designed to be flexible, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees tailored to individual interests and career goals. Overall, the German program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign aims to cultivate multilingual, culturally aware individuals equipped to navigate and contribute to a globalized world.