Academic policies
By topic
- Class load
Admission to the Junior Year in Munich Program carries with it the student's commitment to participate fully in an approved program of academic work. Students must register for 15 credits per semester, which is considered a normal class load. Only under special circumstances may a student register for more than 15 credits, with the maximum set at 19 credits per semester.
- Code of Conduct
- Distribution of credit
Courses normally carry three credits (four if a lab or discussion section is elected) or if the course is a Hauptseminar. Students register for 15 credits per semester. The duration of the LMU Munich Wintersemester (first semester) is 15 weeks. The Sommersemester (second semester) is 14 weeks.
- Examinations and term papers
The exact requirements for determining a student's final course grade will vary from course to course. In general, students are required to complete one of the following:
- A term paper (Semesterarbeit or Hausarbeit) of approximately 10 pages
- A combination of examinations (Klausuren) and an oral report (Referat) submitted in written form
- A combination of both as determined by the instructor
- Grading
JYM grading is based on a letter scale, A F. Students taking courses independently at the LMU Munich must receive a "certificate with grade" (einen benoteten Schein) from their professor before credit is granted. The German number scale of grading is translated into the U.S. letter scale before it is placed on the JYM Grade Report.
- Incompletes
A mark of "Incomplete" may not be given without the approval of the resident director. Once approval is obtained, the student requesting an incomplete must make arrangements before the end of the semester for the course in question with the faculty member involved and the resident director for completion and submission of work. The agreement's time of submission and work to be submitted must be adhered to or the student will forfeit the right to complete the work.
- Independent study/undergraduate research
Independent study and undergraduate research projects can be arranged for credit, as long as they have been approved by the student's home school advisor. This should be indicated on the student's Application Form, or written documentation (such as email correspondence) should be presented to the Resident Director as verification of approval. An undergraduate research project is recorded on the student's transcript as JYG 4900 Undergraduate Research Project (three credits).
- Internships for credit
The Junior Year in Munich Program has formed a partnership with Cultural Vistas that allows students to integrate internship experience with their academic schedule of coursework during the second semester (Sommersemester). The submission of an internship portfolio is required for the granting of credit.
A Cultural Vistas internship is recorded on the student's transcript as JYG 5890 Overseas Internship (three credits). Other non-Cultural Vistas internships approved for credit are also awarded three credits.
Learn more about internships at JYM.
- Language of instruction
Except in rare instances, all coursework offered at the LMU Munich is taught in German. All JYM courses are taught in German.
- Pass/No Pass
Students wishing to take a course on a Pass/No Pass (or similar) basis must first make arrangements wit the resident director before the semester begins and supply documentation (such as a photocopy from the college bulletin or a letter/email from the advisor) confirming that this is permissible at their home schools.
- Self-care
- Special requirements
All students should consult with their home institution regarding any special requirements for minimum or maximum credit or course load while studying abroad.
- Transcripts
JYM students receive an official Wayne State University transcript for all coursework completed in Munich under the supervision of the Junior Year in Munich Program. JYM Grade Reports are produced at the end of each semester in Munich and are sent to Wayne State to be posted to an official WSU transcript.
Requesting your JYM transcript
If you attended JYM in 2005-06 or later, you can order an official electronic copy. If you attended prior to 2005-06, a sheet with your JYM coursework needs to be manually attached to the official WSU transcript and it cannot be sent to you electronically. When requesting a mail transcript, type "Junior Year in Munich student. Please attach JYM coursework." in the additional instructions prompt.
- Waiver of advanced German language instruction requirement
All students are required to enroll in JYG 3100 in the first semester and JYG 3200 in the second semester (Advanced German Language I and II). All or part of this requirement may be waived if the resident director deems a student's German language competence sufficiently high.
- Withdrawal from a course
If a student wishes to drop a course, they should consult with the resident director about the program's course withdrawal procedure.
- Written work requirement
All coursework in Munich taken under the supervision of JYM requires the completion of written work before credit may be granted.