Online Masters from a top German University – in English

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Denver, Mar 3, 2012.

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  1. Denver

    Denver Member

    Online Masters from a top German University – in English

    Freie Universitat Berlin is accepting applications for their two English language online graduate programs: Master of International Relations and Master of Eastern European Studies. The deadline is April 30. Both programs are entirely in English. FU Berlin is consistently ranked as one the three top universities in Germany and in the top 25 in the world. Four Nobel Laureates have served on the faculty of the university.

    The link is here: East European Studies Online: International MA via E-learning


    I am an alumnus of FU Berlin with a MA in Eastern European Studies. It was a great program with excellent Berlin professors and guest lecturers (Stanford, London School of Economics and Cambridge) and the one-week residencies are designed to give you the maximum exposure to Berlin. I met with government ministers in the Reichstag, attended receptions at embassies in Berlin and was a guest at private museum tours. Berlin is surprisingly cheap for a European city and the airfare is lower cost from the U.S. than to many other EU destinations. The school assists with accommodations, I stayed in very nice, low cost university housing near the school (former U.S. Officers Club). You are also viewed as any other student – I ate my meals in the Mensa (student cafateria) and our student ID was good for discounts throughout the city. For Cold War history fans, the school is located in the former American Sector and near the school you can see houses, clubs and offices of major German and American figures from 1937-89. The reason it is called “Free University” is that in 1947 as the Communists took over the schools in the Soviet sector of Berlin, faculty fled to the American Sector to start a university with academic freedoms – thus the name. The school was also prominent during the Cold War, Kennedy made one of his Berlin speeches here and is one of the 12 citizens (the highest honor) of the university. Two of the major buildings are named after Americans – Henry Ford and Ben Franklin.

    While this program is delivered online, there are four required five-day residencies. The workload for the program is substantial - this is a program of an elite German university – so be prepared. I was able to finish in two years while working fulltime; however, there is a four year option. Of my class of 18, only three were from the United States, so this is a true international program.

    As an added incentive, for any of my degreeinfo brothers and sisters who apply from North America (due to postage requirements) and are accepted, I will donate all of texts, readings and the like to you.
     
  2. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Any information regarding costs?
     
  3. JBjunior

    JBjunior Active Member

    For the two-year full-time study option, tuition fees amount to 11,900 €, that is 5,950 € per year of study (plus administrative charges of 117 € for each year of study).
    For the four-year part-time-study option tuition fees amount to 12,900 €, that is 3,225 € per year of study (plus administrative charges of 117 € for each year of study).


    On another note, I have no interest in studying either of those degrees but from reading what Denver wrote I felt compelled to go to the university anyway. I began to imagine trips to Berlin and contemplating ticket costs.
     
  4. Paidagogos

    Paidagogos Member

    Looks like an interesting program Denver! I am wondering, how valuable do you think this degree would be for people looking to study European history? Is it so interdisciplinary that you only get a taste of each subject? Congrats on graduating!
     
  5. GeneralSnus

    GeneralSnus Member

    It is worth pointing out that to be admitted to the East European Studies program, applicants "should have sufficient knowledge in at least one East European language" and proof must be provided after starting the program.
     
  6. Denver

    Denver Member

    You can develop the language knowledge during the program, the regulations state “ this linguistic proficiency can be developed during the duration of the program.” I started my language course after my first residency there. You are asked to have a working knowledge, not fluency. I found the school to be flexible on this.
     
  7. Denver

    Denver Member

    It is interdisciplinary and the coursework, while intensive, does not offer a specific specialization. However, there is a required project during the two years where you can specialize, and you have a choice of thesis topics. My experience was that any faculty member was happy to assist you either in the project or the thesis. My thesis was on blended learning, European stereotypes and a quantitative measurement of their interaction - so I had a number of professors working with me. I used an art exhibit of European stereotypes for my survey, as well as a survey of perceptions of the Rom. The title was this mouthful, "Construction and Deconstruction of Eastern European Stereotypes Though Blended Learning". The interesting result of this research is based on my sample, a blended program of one week residencies offered almost the same results as semester/year abroad programs.
     
  8. Matthew Ver

    Matthew Ver New Member

    Sounds like an appropriate source of learning something,Basically language is more like an art according to me and that ha to be like that.Most of the times what we talk about is language but should be learnt correctly.
     

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