• A fascination for the ancient world (literature, history, religion, archaeology) and a joy for immersing yourself in foreign, distant worlds
• An interest in language in all of its dimensions (grammar, semantics, translations)
• Potential additional languages (English, French or Italian language proficiency all prove useful)
• A passion for reading and a love of libraries
• A joy of writing and reflection
• A desire to travel (especially to ancient sites)
• An enjoyment in solving puzzles and problems

In order to fulfill the entrance requirements for the master’s degree program in teacher education for Gymnasium you must have completed a teaching-related bachelor’s degree with a specialization in teacher education for Gymnasium in the same subjects at a university in Rhineland-Palatinate or an equivalent degree.
The Graecum qualification and the qualifying examination in Latin (Latinum) are both required for admission to the Latin master’s program.

Important information for all students who have not completed a Bachelor of Education (for teacher education for Gymnasium) in Rhineland-Palatinate.

If you have not yet received your bachelor’s degree certificate by the application deadline, but have earned at least 135 credits in your bachelor’s program, you must apply by the set deadline with a transcript (certified copy issued by your university) of all coursework and exams completed to date, including your average grade to date.

In justified cases, other degrees may also be recognized for admission to the master’s program. Recognition may be subject to conditions relating to the specific structure of the master’s degree program. If no school internships have been completed, other documented achievements may be recognized as equivalent.

Applicants who have not obtained a university entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution or a degree in a German-speaking course must provide proof of sufficient German language skills. These must correspond to the level DSH-2 of the “German Language Proficiency Examination for Admission to Higher Education for Foreign Applicants” and must be proven by the time of enrollment at JGU.

Good to know: The legally binding basis for selection, admission and enrollment is the text of the entrance requirements as specified in Section 2 of the currently valid examination regulations and, where applicable, in the appendix.

You can find more information in the examination regulations (in German).

Course sequence

First semester:

• Latin lessons – concepts and practical application
• Advanced seminar
• Introductory seminar/ Greek readings

Second semester:

• Language practice
• Latin lessons – concepts and practical application
• Advanced seminar

Third semester:

• Master’s course in Latin-German translation
• Colloquium/ revision course/ knowledge organization
• Living environment of the antiquity/ reception

Fourth semester:

• Master’s thesis
• Readings

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.

Internships

In the master of education program, you will complete a 15-day internship at a Gymnasium during the lecture-free period (March – April or August – October). The focus here is on teaching in the upper-level secondary school (Gymnasium). 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.

Further information on this can be found on the website of the Teacher Education Center and on the pages of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate on school internships.

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

In your fourth semester, you will complete an in-depth didactical internship.

With the Master of Education in Latin, you can begin your teacher training (Referendariat) to become a Latin teacher at secondary schools (Gymnasien). In combination with education studies, with which you will study in parallel, this degree will best prepare you for your career as a teacher. However, this master’s degree also opens up career opportunities beyond teaching, as it equips you with specialized skills that are valuable in both academic and non-academic professional fields. These skills include:

• An advanced knowledge of the impacts of the ancient intellectual history throughout the various eras up to present day
• The ability to understand even difficult Latin texts in their original language form and within their broader contexts
• Hermeneutic skills that can be applied in transfer and analogy for various professions.
• Being able to consider or relate modern challenges and problems from the perspective of the antiquity
• An understanding for the emergence of cultures and societies; transfer possibilities in all professional contexts
• The ability to translate even difficult texts into Latin in an appropriate and literary manner
• Knowledge of the close-knit linkages between Roman and Greek literature and culture
• A familiarity of the most important literary genres and their history
• The ability to apply the appropriate older and newer research approaches when dealing with ancient texts
• Writing skills that are stylistically appropriate and target-audience oriented, even for longer papers
• Knowledge of innovative concepts for lesson planning and knowledge transfer

Aside from teaching at a Gymnasium, various other career paths are possible for you, such as in:

• continuing education,
• publishing,
• the tourism industry,
• cultural management,
• librarian services,
• archives,
• media agencies (e.g. advertising),
• higher education 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.