German and Higher Education Administration, AM

Master's Candidacy

To earn a master’s degree at Washington University, a student must complete all courses required by their department; maintain satisfactory academic progress; fulfill all academic and residence requirements; and file an Intent to Graduate. For a general layout of master’s degree general requirements in Arts & Sciences, including an explanation of Satisfactory Academic Progress, students should review the Master’s Degree Academic Information page of the Arts & Sciences Bulletin.

Program Requirements

  • Total Units Required: 26
  • Degree Length: 2 years
    • Note: Students must be enrolled in 9 graduate credits each semester to retain full-time status. As students complete their course work, if enrolled in fewer than 9 graduate credits, they must enroll in a specific Arts & Sciences graduate course that will show 0 units but does count as full-time status. Students should connect with their department to ensure proper enrollment prior to Add/Drop.

Minimum Grade Requirement: B-

Master of Arts (AM) in German and Higher Education Administration

The AM in German and Higher Education Administration (HEA) offers qualified students with a strong background in German the opportunity to combine advanced study of German language, literature and culture with courses in higher education administration. In its fusion of discipline-specific postgraduate study with practical career-oriented preparation in a rapidly growing area of higher education, the program enables students to develop new career paths while further expanding their knowledge of German language, literature and culture.

Course Requirements

The AM requires 24 graduate-level course units in German language and culture and at least 12 units of higher education administration and other relevant courses in psychological and brain sciences, statistics, education, business, social work, nonprofit management and other disciplines. Courses will be supplemented by internships with academic and administrative units on the Washington University campus and with other higher education institutions in North America or the German-speaking world. During the final semester of courses, students complete a capstone project.

Suggested Sequence of Courses

(Note that the actual course progression may follow a different schedule.)

Fall semester, 1st year:
  • Two graduate-level German courses (6 units)
  • One course in higher education administration or related areas (3 units)
Spring semester, 1st year:
  • Two graduate-level German courses (6 units)
  • One course in higher education administration or related areas (3 units)
  • Internship
Fall semester, 2nd year:
  • Two graduate-level German courses (6 units)
  • One course in higher education administration or related areas (3 units)
  • Internship
Spring semester, 2nd year:
  • Two graduate-level German courses (6 units)
  • Capstone project (3 units)
  • Internship

Higher Education Administration Electives

These electives must be chosen from an approved list of courses in psychological and brain sciences, statistics, education, business, social work, nonprofit management and other disciplines. At least one of the chosen electives must focus on management/leadership, financial management or legal issues in the field.

Semester Internships

Students in the program intern in various units on campus, which results in a total of three Washington University internship experiences over the course of the degree. These internships in units such as Student Affairs, Residential Life, Admissions, and the College of Arts & Sciences entail approximately 10 to 15 hours of mentored engagement per week.

Capstone Project

During their last semester, each student produces an individual project (e.g., a research paper, a proposed initiative or program) under the guidance of a faculty member. Although this project does not have the same length or scope as a traditional AM thesis, it is considered a significant and meaningful capstone experience.

Visit the Comparative Literature and Thought page
for additional information about this program.

Contact Info

Contact:Graduate Program Administrator: Germanic Languages and Literatures
Phone:314-935-5170
Email:german@wustl.edu