Interested in pursuing a graduate degree in German? Apply to our graduate program and start working toward your master's degree or PhD. Our program is rigorous yet supportive, with robust mentoring and support from faculty. If you have questions about your graduate application, don’t hesitate to contact our director of graduate studies, Jeffrey Librett. Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are due on Friday, January 3, 2025.

MA Application Instructions

All applicants must apply via the university's graduate application system and submit the following:

• Graduate teaching application form. This form is found in the online application. Please log in to Slate to start a new application, download a copy of the form, and upload the completed document into the application.
• Statement of purpose. Submit a statement of 1-2 pages presenting your academic background, intellectual and literary interests, and reasons for pursuing graduate study in German at the University of Oregon.
• Writing sample. Submit a writing sample of 10-12 pages of your best scholarly writing, preferably in the field of German Studies (written in English or German)
• Language proficiency. Submit an audio file of your spoken German of about 3-5 minutes.
• Official transcript. Official transcripts no longer required with application unless student is accepted into program as of 2023.
• Recommendations: have three confidential letters of recommendation submitted by scholars familiar with your work (We prefer that letters be uploaded electronically by the recommenders, but they may also be sent via mail).
• English language proficiency. All applicants for whom English is not a native/primary language must satisfy one of the following English Language Proficiency criteria in order to be eligible for admission.
• C1 exam score. All applicants whose native language is not German must supply the result of the C1 Exam administered by the Goethe-Institut. The department requires a C1 score of Befriedigend (3) or better. If not included by the application deadline, this score must be supplied by August 15 prior to enrollment

Please submit by mail all official transcripts from all the institutions where you have earned a degree (except University of Oregon) to:

Office of the Registrar
5257 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403, USA

Note: All items are due by the first Friday of January for students applying to enter the following fall. The Graduate Committee of the department will evaluate each file and notify applicants of the results by April 1. The MA program is designed for two academic years, starting in the fall. Award of a Graduate Employee teaching position (= GEship) is for one academic year at a time. Renewal depends upon ongoing departmental evaluation of course work, teaching success, and available funding. GE support for the MA is limited to two academic years.

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PhD Application Instructions

Candidates may apply for admission either with a BA degree anticipated or in hand or with an MA degree anticipated or in hand. Students entering with a BA go on to complete three years of coursework; students entering with an MA have their graded coursework condensed into one academic year. For additional information, see PhD Requirements.

All applicants must apply via the university's graduate application system and submit the following:

• Graduate teaching application form. This form is found in the online application. Please log in to GradWeb, start a new application, download a copy of the form, and upload the completed document into the application.
• Statement of purpose. Submit a statement of about 2 pages presenting your developing research and teaching interests, put past and future course work into perspective, and forecast a dissertation area, if not a precise topic. This area should fall within the department’s research and teaching focus on literary and cultural studies from 1750 to the present.
• Writing sample. Submit a writing sample of 10-20 pages of your best scholarly writing, preferably in the field of German Studies (written in English or German).
• Language proficiency. Submit an audio file of your spoken German of about 3-5 minutes.
• Recommendations. Three confidential letters of recommendation by scholars familiar with your work (We prefer that letters be uploaded electronically by the recommenders, but they may also be sent via mail).
• TOEFL s. All applicants whose native language is not English must supply results of either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The department requires a TOEFL score of at least 233 (computer) or 88 (internet) or an IELTS overall score of 7.0.
• C1 exam score. All applicants whose native language is not German must supply the result of the C1 Exam administered by the Goethe-Institut. The department requires a C1 score of Gut (2) or better. If not included by the application deadline, this score must be supplied by August 15 prior to enrollment.
• Official transcript. Unofficial transcripts can be used to apply. If offered admission, you will need to send official transcripts of all college-level work to date, or the equivalent if your university does not issue official transcripts. Mail them to:

Office of the Registrar
5257 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403, USA

All items are due by the first Friday of January for application for the following fall. The Graduate Committee will evaluate each file and notify applicants of the decision by April 1.

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International Students

In addition to the above processes for applying to either the MA or PhD, international applicants must also complete the university admission process.

Below are extra steps that international students need to take:

• TOEFL/IELTS score. For admission to the University of Oregon, students need a a satisfactory command of the English language. Read the UO English Language Proficiency Requirements and take the steps to meet this requirement.
• Financial statement. International students must provide evidence of financial support for all anticipated educational and living expenses for the first year of study in the United States before an I-20 can be prepared (the I-20 allows students to apply for an F-1 student visa). Graduate applicants offered admission to the Department of German & Scandinavian typically receive a Graduate Employee (GE) contract that covers the financial requirements for the I-20. If you are admitted, the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) Office will contact you about the financial requirements. Submit all documents directly to the ISSS office.
• Official transcripts. To be admitted to the Division of Graduate Studies, the applicant must have an accredited degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree from an institution of recognized standing. Official transcripts with certified English translations are required.

After the above steps are completed, the Division of Graduate Studies reviews the applications to see if all required documents have been received and all requirements have been met. The Office of Admissions will not formally admit or send an I-20 until all required documents have been received and approved.  Please note the department is not responsible for issuing the I-20.

Once admitted by the Division of Graduate Studies, the applicant will receive a letter and immigration packet from the University of Oregon. The packet can be sent by express mail. That information will be provided once the I-20 is made by the ISSS office.

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Apply to Our Graduate Program

Ready to apply? Start your application on Slate, the centralized application portal for graduate admissions at the University of Oregon. 

Apply Now