PhD in German in Waterloo Canada | University of Waterloo

The German Studies PhD program at the University of Waterloo equips graduates for diverse career paths in academia and beyond. This forward-thinking curriculum combines applied linguistics (including sociolinguistics, second language acquisition, and computer-assisted learning) with literary and media/film studies, cultivating independent research skills. Students adopt interdisciplinary perspectives while building expertise in key German Studies domains. Career preparation for both academic and alternative professions forms a core program component. The Germanic and Slavic Studies Department strongly recommends PhD candidates complete a study term at a German partner institution. Doctoral candidates gain teaching experience through undergraduate instruction from their first term, with opportunities to build comprehensive teaching portfolios. The program incorporates mandatory teacher training workshops and supports students in earning the University of Waterloo's "Certificate in University Teaching" or "Certificate in University Language Teaching" through the Centre for Teaching Excellence.