PhD in German in Davis United States | University of California Davis

The UC Davis German Department equips graduate students with a strong scholarly foundation while fostering creative, cross-disciplinary exploration. Our doctoral candidates frequently pair German Literature studies with interdisciplinary focuses like Classics and Classical Receptions, Critical Theory, Feminist Theory and Research, and Second Language Acquisition. Both our M.A. and Ph.D. programs - rigorous yet adaptable - provide specialized study in theoretical and historical aspects of German literature and philosophy, along with a linguistics-focused option. Typically, students complete the M.A. in about 2 years and the Ph.D. in 5 years. Embracing the scholar-teacher approach, we prioritize both academic publishing and personalized guidance for our graduate students. Recent program evaluations specifically highlighted our exceptional mentoring as a key strength. Beyond delivering top-tier education, we dedicate significant one-on-one support to assist students with early publications, job placement, and teaching development through pedagogy seminars and language instruction mentorship.