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Teaching Qualification for Lower - Secondary Education (Teaching Degree)

Taught in German. All language subjects are also taught in the respective language; almost all English courses are taught in English. The degree programme in lower-secondary education, or 'L2' as it is known, prepares students to teach Years 5-10 at German Hauptschulen and Realschulen but also the same level at grammar schools (Gymnasien).

Overview

Number of enrolled students

1682 students are enrolled in this degree course (as of winter semester 2016/17).
Overview

Overview

The degree programme Lehramt L2 (the teaching qualification for Lower - Secondary Education ), ends with the first state examination.

In Germany, teacher-training policy falls within the remit of the federal states' own education authorities. Because of this, programmes of study in the different states can vary in structure and content, particularly with regard to the number, range and combinations of school subjects in which teachers are trained. For those requiring information on teacher-training degrees and comprehensive teacher-training programmes which are run in Germany as a whole, the German Education Server provides a useful website.

 

An interest in the chosen courses' content and in particular working with children is expected. Openess, stability and self-reflectivity are further characteristics of this profession. The variety of subjects in the teaching degree programmes demands flexibility and an interest (depending on the chosen subject) on questions concerning natural sciences, languages and arts, as well as social-  and educational sciences

 

Prerequisites

Applicants must have an Abitur (German school leaver’s examination for university entrance) or equivalent in order to apply for teaching degree programmes leading to a state examination (NO university of applied science entrance qualification). Several subjects of the various teaching degree programmes require subject-specific prerequisites such as aptitude tests (Music, Art, Sport) or specific language requirements (English, French). All L2 teacher-training students must provide evidence of an orientation placement of at least four weeks' duration. This is intended as an opportunity to gain an insight into their future careers. Students should complete their orientation placement before starting their degree programme and must have done so at the latest before starting their school-based studies during the lecture-free period.

Composition of Degree Programme

Degree

Degree

First state teaching examination

Duration of studies

Duration of Studies

The standard duration of this degree programme is three and a half years (7 semesters).

Composition of the Study Programme

Structure of the Course of Studies

During the course of studies are dealt with at the same time and parallel to each other:

  • Educational and social sciences: sociology, political science, psychology, educational science (paedagogics)
  • Two school subjects
  • Practical teaching studies in schools, i.e. practical learning phases in schools with preparatory and post-experience analysis

In accordance with Hessian law governing teaching qualifications (Hessisches Lehrerbildungsgesetz), all education students must undertake a work placement. More on this...

 

Educational Science and Basic Science

The study of education and social sciences in this degree programme covers such areas as locations of education and development (e.g. family upbringing, school upbringing); learning theory; the social coexistence of pupils, parents and teachers; and the basics of democracy.

The four disciplines below are constituent parts of this degree programme because teachers are not only there to impart knowledge. It is also their duty to fulfil an important role in children's social development. In order to do this role justice, they must be able to understand and evaluate the structures and processes at play in school and in society as well as in a class and within the development of an individual pupil.

  • Pedagogy
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Political Science

More information on the contents of the foundation part of the programme can be found in the module plans and descriptions.

Intermediate assessment for all teacher-training degrees

Intermediate assessment

In all our teacher-training degree programmes, students face intermediate assessment after the first half of the minimum duration of their studies (4th semester). This does not involve them sitting in an exam; instead, each students' intermediate grade is derived from the accumulated grades achieved in modules amounting to a specified number of credit points. In very exceptional circumstances based on valid reasons, students have the possibility to face the intermediate assessment until the end of the 6th semester.

This intermediate grade and the first school placement are intended to confirm students' aptitude for their chosen profession. It follows that continued failure to pass the intermediate assessment and the first period of school-based study by the final deadline will result in students' loss of permission to proceed with their chosen degree. Assessment webpage of the Centre for Teacher Training

First State Examination and Teaching Practice

First State Examination and Teaching Practice / Working as a trainee teacher

  • The teaching degree progamme ends with the first state examination. More on this…
  • After the first state examination, students undertake the second phase of school-based study, known in German as 'Vorbereitungsdienst', 'Referendariat' or 'Ref'. More on this...

Application

Commencement of Studies in the Winter Semester

Commencement of studies

Only possible in the winter semester

Entrance Requirements

Entrance requirements

  1. Applicants must have an Abitur (German school leaver`s examination for university entrance) or equivalent in order to apply for teaching degree programmes leading to a state examination (NO university of applied science entrance qualification). More on this...
  2. Several subjects of the various teaching degree programmes require subject-specific prerequisites such as
  3. All teacher-training students must provide evidence of an orientation placement of at least four weeks' duration. This is intended as an opportunity to gain an insight into their future careers. Students should complete their orientation placement before starting their degree programme and must have done so at the latest before starting their school-based studies during the lecture-free period. More on this...
Application limited internally only winter semester

Application for admission and registration

 

  • The intake capacity is limited.
  • Applications must be received by the JLU Student Secretariat by July 15. More on this...

Please note that the deadline for courses of study that are not limited can be extended. The deadline extensions will be published in the application portal.

 

  • Special regulations apply to foreign applicants or those who gained their university-entrance qualifications abroad. Read more...
First State Examination and Teaching Practice

First State Examination and Teaching Practice / Working as a trainee teacher

  • The teaching degree progamme ends with the first state examination. More on this…
  • After the first state examination, students undertake the second phase of school-based study, known in German as 'Vorbereitungsdienst', 'Referendariat' or 'Ref'. More on this...

Further Information

Information brochure Teaching Degrees
Overview in German
Infopool
Further information material. PDF files (presentations, etc.) are available in German only.
Links

Information from JLU

Links

Orientation and self-examination when deciding what to study

Contact

Contact

More...

Subject Advisors Teaching Degree Progammes

Subject Advisors

pdfTeaching Degree Programmes

ZfL- Centre for Teacher Training

Centre for Teacher Training (ZfL)

  • Examinations Office
  • School-Based Study

Office hours and a list of the advisors can be found on the website of the Centre for Teacher Training (ZfL).

Central Study Advisor
Wiebke Blumenthal, M.A.

Wiebke Blumenthal, M.A. (Pädagogin)

Beate Caputa-Wießner

Beate Caputa-Wießner (Dipl. Päd.) 

Central Student Services

Directions and welcome desk