NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

Stage II studies involve further course study in the three selected subject areas. The minimum requirements to be fulfilled
prior to registration for the Magister degree examination include lecture courses, and advanced seminars for which certificates
must be acquired.
Major: German language and literature (two advanced seminar certificates):
modern German literature;
old German and old German literature; or
German language.
First minor: history (one advanced seminar certificate):
medieval or modern history.
Second minor: sociology (four introductory seminar certificates, one advanced seminar certificate):
methods of empirical social research I and II;
statistics for students of social science;
foundations of sociology (micro and macro-sociology);
one optional core area.
The Magister degree examination consists of the Magister thesis in the major subject, as well as written and oral examinations
in the three established subject areas.
In the Magister thesis, students are to show that they are capable of independently analysing a problem taken from their main
area of study and applying scholarly methods in doing so. This must normally be done within a period of six months. The time
limit can be extended for another three months if a good reason is given. The Magister thesis is assessed by two professors.
Degree examinations in the individual subjects consist of a written examination and an oral examination in the major subject
and in the two minors.
On passing the Magister degree examination the student in question is issued a certificate indicating the subject of and the
grade received on the Magister thesis, grades received in the individual subject examinations and the overall grade. At the
same time, a Magister diploma is issued on the basis of which the academic degree Magister Artium (MA) is awarded.
II.3. Lizentiat degree
The Lizentiat degree is obtained on the basis of graduate or supplementary studies following attainment of an initial degree.
This degree can also be obtained following a degree course in an area of Catholic theology.
II.4. State examinations for teaching careers
II.4.1. General characteristics
Teacher training is regulated differently in the individual Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany. It is based on the school
types or levels. The arrangement of the various teaching careers according to the different school types or levels is governed
by Land law. According to the summary agreed on by the Standing Conference of the Ministers for Education and Cultural
Affairs of the Länder in connection with the implementation of EC Directive 89/48/EEC, all the many different types of
teaching career are classified under the following designations.
Type 1: Teaching careers at Grundschulen or primary level