NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

According to an agreement by the Standing Conference of the Ministers for Education and Cultural Affairs, candidates may
qualify for a teaching career in special education either via the basic course of study leading to the first and second State
examination or, following qualification for another teaching career, by completing an additional course of study in special
education and passing the first State examination for a teaching career in special education.
Study incorporates educational sciences and specialist studies in at least one subject or subject area and in special education.
The study of special education includes two special education subject areas (e.g. education for pupils with learning
difficulties) and cross-disciplinary studies which also consider issues of educational integration.
II.4.3. Description of qualifications
The course of study concludes with the first State examination for teachers (Erste Staatsprüfung), which entitles the holder to
be accepted into the second phase of teacher training (preparatory service) organised by the Land. According to Länderspecific
regulations in some cases (e.g. in the vocational schools sector) the appropriate Diplom examinations may replace the
first State examinations for teachers.
Whilst the respective Land Ministry of Science, Education or Cultural Affairs is responsible for fundamental questions
concerning training and examinations, the holding of the first State examination for teachers is the responsibility of the State
examining authorities, assigned to the ministries responsible for the school system. The examination they implement consists
as a rule of:
a major written paper (State examination dissertation/Diplom dissertation) in the first or second subject or in educational
science;
a subject-oriented (possibly also subject-teaching) written and oral examination in the subjects;
an examination in the educational sciences. This examination component must be taken later if it is not included in a
Diplom examination;
if necessary, a practical examination in artistic or technical subjects.
The preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst) as the second phase of teacher training serves as practical teacher training.
According to the Land and the teaching career type the Vorbereitungsdienst is of varying duration (18 to 24 months). The
Vorbereitungsdienst places a special emphasis on sitting in on lectures, classes, <strong>guide</strong>d and independent teaching at training
schools as well as an educational theory/subject-specific teaching methods component in seminars which reappraise and
consolidate experience gained through practical training. It concludes with the second State examination for teachers (Zweite
Staatsprüfung). This is the prerequisite for final employment in a teaching career but does not guarantee a teaching position.
The examination is taken under the State examining authorities or a State examining board and consists as a rule of four parts:
a major written paper in the field of educational theory, educational psychology or the teaching of one of the subjects
studied;
a practical teaching examination with demonstration lessons in the chosen subjects;
an examination on the basic questions of educational theory, of education and civil service law, of school administration
and, if necessary, on sociological aspects of education;
an examination on teaching and methodical issues in the subjects studied.
II.5. State examinations in medicine
The structure, curricula and examination requirements for degree programmes in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine
are uniformly defined country-wide on the basis of State regulations governing the licensing of physicians
(Approbationsordnungen). The degree programmes are concluded with degree examinations in medicine, dentistry or
veterinary medicine.