In order to study the literature and culture of Roman antiquity, excellent language proficiency is required. For this reason, you will need to have already passed the qualifying examination in Latin (Latinum) at the time of your application. If you are not able to prove this through the certificate for your higher education entrance qualification, you will have to take the state supplementary examination in Latin before you begin your studies.

You must complete the Graecum by the beginning of the 5th semester at the latest. Students usually prepare for the Graecum by taking Ancient Greek practice classes in their own time over the course of three semesters. The same requirements apply to proof of proficiency in Greek as to proficiency in Latin.

As a future teacher, a love of teaching, a good instinct for working with pupils, and a sense of responsibility are important requirements for handling the upcoming variety of pedagogical work in your working life. In addition, you should also be interested in the Latin language and enjoy working with historical sources concerning Roman antiquity, philosophy, or culture.

This program is studied as a part of the Bachelor of Education degree program (teacher education for Gymnasium). The degree program always includes two teaching subjects as well as the subject of Education Studies.

Program structure

• Understanding philology:
  Introduction to Classical Philology & Latin Studies
• Expanding your mastery of the Latin language:
  Translating from Latin to German as well as from German to Latin
• Building an understanding of literature and linguistics:
  Linguistic and contextual exploration of works of different genres and different periods of Latin literature; reception of Latin literature. The literary content will outweigh the linguistic content in your degree. 
• Didactic content:
  Didactic competences; you will gain initial experience through planning, carrying out, and reflecting upon individual lessons.
• Practical content:
  research-oriented teaching; participation in field trips

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

Between the 3rd and 5th semesters is the best time to go abroad during your Latin degree program.

Internships

In the Bachelor of Education, you will complete three 3-week internships and experience different types of schools firsthand. This practical experience will complement your theoretical training, help you practice your pedagogical skills in the classroom, and give you direction for your future career.

For more information, please visit the website for school internships provided by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Students interested in completing additional voluntary internships – including those in other professional fields – can find more information on the Career Service website.

The teacher education degree program prepares you – and is also a prerequisite – for teaching in secondary schools (Gymnasium) throughout Germany. Not only will you acquire comprehensive knowledge about the subject, you will also learn how to convey this knowledge to your future students in a fun and creative way, while inspiring interest for your subject.

To work as a teacher later on, you must also obtain the Master of Education after completing your bachelor’s degree and then complete a teacher traineeship (Referendariat).

However, you are not restricted solely to classroom teaching after completing the teacher education program. You can also work in a variety of professional fields beyond teaching in public schools.

This includes, for example, foreign language teaching in a community education center or other alternative education forms such as adult education, or in one of the following fields:

• Research and academia (e.g., at universities and research institutions or in research projects)
• Education and culture (in association with museums, the theater, adult education, libraries, archives, and foundations of various types)
• International organizations, NGOs, economic organizations
• Information and communications management
• Media and journalism, editorial work, publishing, copy editing, marketing
• Politics, administration, business (marketing, press and public relations)
• Leisure, tourism, and event management

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.