Englisch 
Deutsch Who this German-taught M.A. fits – and what you need to apply
This programme suits you if you already work with learners of German or plan to move into language education. Typical profiles include: experienced ESL/EFL instructors abroad who want to qualify in DaF/DaZ and teach German in schools or adult education; teachers or social educators working with migrants and refugees who need a formal Master’s in German language education; corporate trainers or cultural-exchange coordinators aiming to deliver workplace German or intercultural programmes, while studying part-time and fully online from abroad.
Admission requirements
To enter the continuing-education Master in German as a Foreign and Second Language (DaF/DaZ) you need one of the following routes:
- Route A (standard): a first higher-education degree worth at least 180 ECTS (bachelor level) plus a minimum of one year of relevant professional experience after graduation.
- Route B (without a first degree): a recognised university entrance qualification, at least three years of relevant professional experience, and a passed aptitude test.
Key points for international applicants:
- Foreign degrees and diplomas are admissible if they are equivalent to the German requirement (bachelor level for Route A) and formally recognised. Expect to submit official transcripts, proof of credits (ECTS or workload hours), and certified translations where applicable.
- Teaching language: German. If German is not your native language, you must prove advanced proficiency: TestDaF with TDN 4 in all sections, or DSH-2, or Goethe-Zertifikat C2.
- The programme can be studied in part-presence or online; choose the format that fits your location and employment.
Personal requirements
Success in distance learning hinges on consistent self-management. You should plan for a sustained weekly study rhythm, typically 15–20 hours per week alongside a job, including reading, didactics coursework and assessment preparation. Set fixed study blocks, protect deadlines, and build a small buffer for intensive phases (e.g., exam preparation or the master’s thesis).
You will work extensively with German-language academic texts, lesson planning and linguistic analysis. That demands confident academic German in reading and writing, plus the ability to discuss teaching practice. A reliable internet connection, a quiet workspace and readiness for occasional synchronous sessions (time-zone aware) are important. Prior classroom or tutoring experience in language education helps you connect theory and practice; equally valuable are perseverance, intercultural sensitivity and the patience to iterate teaching materials based on learner data. If you are realistic about your time and keep steady momentum, studying remotely from abroad is very manageable.
What will you study in the German as a foreign and second language (M.A.) at CEC Saar?
This Master’s degree is taught in German. You need advanced German with a recognised certificate such as TestDaF (TDN 4 in all parts), DSH-2 or Goethe-Zertifikat C2 to participate successfully. You earn 90 ECTS credits across eight modules, a substantial guided self-study component, and a Master’s thesis.
You will build solid foundations in linguistics and language acquisition. Typical core modules include:
- Sprachwissenschaftliche Grundlagen (linguistic fundamentals for DaF/DaZ)
- DaF/DaZ im Bildungswesen (German as a foreign/second language across education systems)
- DaF/DaZ-Didaktik (didactics, methods and curriculum design)
Practice and classroom application are a second pillar. Here you work on:
- Unterrichtspraxis DaF/DaZ (lesson planning, materials, classroom management)
- Praktikumsmodul (a supervised practical module in relevant learning environments)
- Assessment tasks aligned with real teaching scenarios
Independent scholarship is deliberately integrated. You prepare a structured Leseliste (reading list) and complete an oral examination based on it. This is complemented by:
- Kenntnisse einer modernen Fremdsprache (consolidating one modern foreign language)
- Masterarbeitsmodul (a 15-ECTS Master’s thesis that links theory and practice)
Electives: The programme architecture centres on compulsory modules plus the curated reading list and the foreign language component. Choice primarily comes from your reading list focus, your internship setting and your Master’s thesis topic.
Key German terms explained: A Fernstudium is the German term for distance learning. This programme can be completed in an online format, which corresponds to a Fernstudium option. A Fachhochschule is a university of applied sciences; CEC Saar delivers this degree within a public university. ZFU is the German state authority that approves private distance-learning courses; public university degrees do not require ZFU approval.
How does the German as a foreign and second language (M.A.) distance programme work?
You can study in a part-on-campus model or fully online. From winter semester 2024/25, an online format is offered as a full alternative to the partial on-site version. In the online track, teaching is delivered digitally and you participate remotely from abroad; a visa is not required for purely remote study.
Teaching language and required certificates
The teaching language is German. Non-native speakers must document advanced proficiency with one of these certificates: TestDaF with at least TDN 4 in all sections, DSH-2, or Goethe-Zertifikat C2. You should also feel comfortable with academic German for readings, discussions and the oral examination.
Learning format and study materials
Courses are organised into eight modules plus a structured self-study component. In the online model, classes and tutorials run via digital platforms used at German universities. You work with lecture inputs, guided readings (Leseliste), teaching-practice tasks and supervised assignments. The practical module is aligned with authentic teaching contexts; in the online track, preparation and reflection are handled digitally.
Exams and where you can take them
Assessments follow the examination regulations and module handbook. They typically include coursework, didactic portfolios, the oral exam on your reading list, and the 15-ECTS Master’s thesis. The online track is designed to support remote participation in teaching and assessments; format and timing are defined per module. There is no ZFU admission number, as public university degrees are not subject to ZFU approval.
On-site sessions in Germany
Two tracks exist: part-presence (Teil-Präsenz) with some sessions on campus, and an alternative online format in which regular teaching is delivered digitally. Choose the online format if you need to avoid travel to Germany. Module-specific details are set out in the study and exam regulations.
Workload, time models and time zones
The programme carries 90 ECTS. The regular duration is four semesters, which translates to roughly 20–25 hours per week if studied at the standard pace alongside work. Live online sessions, where scheduled, follow German time (CET/CEST). As a working student outside Europe, plan for evening or early-morning slots depending on your time zone.
What does the German as a foreign and second language (M.A.) cost?
Tuition is charged per semester. For semesters 1–4 you pay €1,560 per semester. If you extend, semesters from the 5th onward cost €780 per semester. Over the standard four-semester duration, tuition totals €6,240. In addition, a separate semester contribution is due each semester (a university fee that covers student services and administration).
Billing is semester-based, which suits working professionals who plan in longer blocks. If you anticipate a slower pace, the reduced tuition from the 5th semester helps limit extra costs during an extension. International students can pay from abroad using the university’s accepted payment methods for semester fees.
What careers and recognition does the German as a foreign and second language (M.A.) offer?
You graduate with a Master of Arts (90 ECTS) from a public German university in the European Higher Education Area. ECTS credits and the Bologna framework make workload and level transparent internationally, supporting admission to further study or credential evaluation abroad. As a public university degree, it is state-recognised in Germany and widely understood in Europe. EQAR-listed agencies accredit German universities and their systems; public degrees from these institutions are broadly accepted by employers and universities worldwide.
Typical career paths include:
- Teacher of German as a foreign/second language in adult education, integration courses and language schools
- School teaching posts abroad (German departments, bilingual programmes, international schools)
- Corporate language training and in-house communication courses
- Teacher training, curriculum development and educational consulting for DaF/DaZ
- Roles in cultural and educational exchange institutions or municipal education centres
Note on regulated professions: this Master’s prepares you for DaF/DaZ teaching and related fields. It is not a substitute for German state teacher training (Lehramt) required for fully regulated civil-service teaching posts in German public schools.
Who is the German as a foreign and second language (M.A.) right for – and who not?
This programme suits education professionals and career changers who want to qualify for DaF/DaZ teaching with a flexible path that can be completed online. It is also a strong fit if you aim to work with migrants, in international education, or in cultural exchange.
- You want a recognised Master’s in DaF/DaZ that can be studied in an online format without relocating.
- Your German is already at advanced level (C1–C2) and you can document it with TestDaF TDN 4, DSH-2 or Goethe C2.
- You value a blend of linguistics, didactics and practice-oriented modules including a practical component.
- You plan to teach German to adults, young learners with a migration background, or in schools abroad.
- You prefer semester-based billing with a clear total cost of €6,240 over the standard duration.
Some situations make another programme a better choice. Read these carefully before you apply from abroad.
- You need an English-taught Master’s. All coursework, readings and examinations here are in German.
- You cannot provide one of the required German certificates (TestDaF TDN 4 in all parts, DSH-2 or Goethe-Zertifikat C2).
- You are seeking a direct route into regulated state-school teaching in Germany (civil-service Lehramt) – this programme does not replace state teacher training.
- You cannot accommodate live online sessions scheduled in CET/CEST, where modules include synchronous teaching.
Advisory Service
Have questions about Academic Programs German as a Foreign and Second Language? Ask your question here, even anonymously. An employee of the institution CEC Saar or the editorial team will answer you.