Department of German
UW-Madison
College of Letters & Science

Graduate Program Booklet: Entering the Program

All general regulations for admission to graduate study at the University of Wisconsin - Madison as well as those for the German Department specifically are set forth in the Graduate School Catalog (2000-2002), available on-line at http://www.wisc.edu/grad/. Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required both for admission and financial aid. International applicants must submit additional material, including TOEFL or MELAB scores, as outlined in the application package. Non-native speakers of English should provide a ten-minute cassette tape of spoken English. It is now possible to apply for admission on-line at the above Internet address.

Applicants for admission to graduate study in the German program are expected to demonstrate a strong record of prior and potential academic achievement. Applications are judged on the basis of the previous academic record, the GRE scores, the statement of purpose, study-abroad experience, list of courses-in-progress, resume, 5-15-page writing sample of German, and three letters of recommendation.

1. Admission with full standing requires: 
   • Students with a B.A. in German
     Undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the equivalent of the last 60 semester hours and GPA in German courses beyond the second-year level of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. 
   • Students with an M.A. in German
     GPA in graduate work of at least 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. 
     Note: In evaluating German Zeugnisse, sehr gut will be considered 4.0, gut 3.5, and befriedigend 3.0. Course work from abroad will not be considered without appropriate documentation and consultation with the Department and the Graduate School after such work has been completed. 
   • Deficiencies: Students granted regular admission with deficiencies will be required to make up all deficiencies, both undergraduate and graduate, above and beyond the required course work of the graduate program. 
   • Students admitted for work toward the Ph.D. who do not have the M.A. degree but who have substantial course work past the B.A. level are required to take the M.A. examination no later than the end of the second week of the second full-time semester of study in the program. 
2. Probationary admission is possible under the following circumstances: 
   • Students with a B.A. in German who have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale and GPA in German courses beyond the second-year level of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 
   • Students with an M.A. in German who have a GPA in graduate work of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale 

Note: Students admitted on probation cannot receive financial support until removed from probation. 

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