Bachelor of Arts in German

German at WMU gives you several ways to build language proficiency, explore the cultures of the German-speaking world and make study abroad part of your undergraduate experience. You can make German the center of your degree, add it to another field or pursue a minor designed around immersive study abroad.

The Department of World Languages and Literatures at Western Michigan University offers:

• German major: Progress from intermediate German into advanced coursework in language, literature and culture. German Composition and Conversation helps you develop accuracy and confidence in written and spoken German, while German Life and Culture explores the historical, geographic, social and religious forces that have shaped Germany. You can deepen your abilities through Advanced German Composition and Advanced German Conversation, learning to express complex ideas with greater clarity, fluency and cultural awareness.
• German minor: Build a substantial foundation in German while completing another major. Courses in composition, conversation, culture and literature allow you to strengthen practical communication skills while connecting German with fields such as business, engineering, history, philosophy, music, political science or global studies. You may also explore Topics in German Studies, which can examine subjects such as history, religion, politics, literature and the arts across the German-speaking world.
• German Study Abroad minor: Make immersion a central part of your German education. After completing introductory German coursework at WMU, you will earn 16 approved credits through study abroad, using the language in academic settings and daily life. The experience is designed to strengthen communication skills, intercultural understanding and the confidence to navigate unfamiliar environments independently.

Students may also take Introduction to the Study of German Literature, reading and interpreting works from different genres, or pursue more advanced literary study through Studies in German Literature. Language majors complete WMU’s baccalaureate writing requirement through an approved course such as Global Issues through Literature and Film or East and West Literary Relations, connecting German study with wider literary, cultural and global questions.

Program requirements may vary by WMU undergraduate catalog year, and only courses completed with a grade of C or better count toward the German major. No student may graduate under a catalog that is more than 10 years old. Students with previous German experience should follow the department’s placement guidelines to begin at the level that best matches their preparation.

Where you'll be after graduation

German can take you from Michigan to the heart of Europe and into industries shaping the future.

German is the most widely spoken native language in Europe, connecting you with more than 100 million speakers across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and beyond. For students in Michigan, that international connection is especially close to home. More than 400 German companies operate in the state, making German a valuable complement to careers in business, engineering, advanced manufacturing, automotive technology, supply chain, government and many other fields.

Your path could include:

• International business and global industry: Build a career in international sales, purchasing, marketing, finance, human resources, account management, supply chain, logistics, procurement or business development. Michigan's extensive economic relationship with Germany creates connections to global companies such as Bosch, ZF, Continental, Schaeffler, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and TÜV SÜD.
• Engineering, mobility and advanced manufacturing: Pair German with engineering, computer science, aviation, manufacturing or another technical field to prepare for work across international teams. German companies are deeply involved in Michigan's automotive, mobility, electrification, industrial technology, defense and aerospace sectors, creating opportunities for professionals who can navigate both technical work and cross-cultural communication.
• Government, diplomacy and international affairs: Use German in foreign affairs, public diplomacy, intelligence, immigration, international development, policy research and government service. WMU language students have even gained professional experience through internships with the German Parliament.
• Education and international exchange: Become a German teacher with the appropriate teaching certification, teach English abroad, work with exchange programs or pursue a career in international education. German can also lead to opportunities such as Fulbright teaching assistantships and other educational programs in German-speaking Europe.
• Translation, localization and global communication: Work as a translator, interpreter, localization specialist, editor, multilingual communications professional or language-services project coordinator. German language skills can be valuable wherever businesses, governments and organizations need to communicate across international markets.
• Science, research and higher education: Combine German with the sciences, history, philosophy, music, economics or another academic field and pursue research or graduate study in the United States or Europe. German-speaking countries have long-standing international networks in higher education, research and scientific collaboration.
• Media, culture and the arts: Take German into journalism, publishing, museums, libraries, cultural organizations, film, music, arts administration or international cultural exchange. German gives you direct access to one of Europe's major literary, philosophical, musical and artistic traditions as well as its contemporary cultural industries.
• Travel, aviation and hospitality: Work with airlines, tourism organizations, hotels, international travel companies, cultural-exchange programs or study abroad providers serving German-speaking travelers and destinations.

The real power of German is what you can combine it with. German plus business can take you into international commerce. German plus engineering can distinguish you in Michigan's global manufacturing economy. German plus political science can support a future in international affairs. German plus history, philosophy, music or the sciences can open new possibilities for research and graduate study.

You do not have to choose between building a career in Michigan and building an international one. With German, those two worlds already meet.

WMU's Career and Student Employment Services can help you turn that international advantage into a career plan. Meet with a career coach, strengthen your résumé or CV, practice interviewing, explore internships by major and search thousands of opportunities through Handshake. You can also access resources specifically designed for international job searches and begin identifying employers where your German language skills can help you stand out.

What others have achieved

Explore recent accomplishments and opportunities that show how German at WMU reaches beyond the classroom through international exchange, cultural programming and engagement with the wider German-speaking world.

German students at WMU can extend their learning beyond the classroom through study abroad, conversation practice, cultural activities and academic support. Programs in Berlin and Tübingen allow students to strengthen their German while experiencing daily life at a German university. On campus, German Table and other program activities provide informal opportunities to practice the language, meet students with similar interests and engage with German-speaking cultures. Advising, tutoring, placement services and university-wide academic resources help students build confidence and connect their German studies with future academic and professional goals.

Advising and Academic Planning: For questions about German coursework, program requirements, language placement, German Table or study abroad credit, contact Dr. Olivia Gabor-Peirce, the German program advisor. Students are encouraged to reach out early when choosing future courses, considering study abroad or reviewing the requirements for their catalog year.

For general questions about course scheduling and degree planning, students can also contact Tom Mills.

Tutoring and Student Success: The Department of World Languages and Literatures offers free tutoring for all 1000- and 2000-level German courses. Tutors can help students strengthen grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, conversation, reading and writing skills or prepare for assignments and exams.

Students can also connect with Student Success Services for additional academic support, study strategies and resources throughout their undergraduate education.

Placement and Previous Language Experience: Students who have previously studied German should follow the department’s placement guidelines before enrolling. Placement helps students begin at the level that best reflects their existing knowledge rather than automatically starting with introductory German.

Eligible students may also ask about opportunities to earn retroactive credit or demonstrate proficiency through a monitored test-out examination.

Study Abroad: German majors complete six hours of approved coursework abroad, and students pursuing the German Study Abroad minor make international study a central part of their program. Students may explore opportunities at Freie Universität Berlin, located in Germany’s cultural and political capital, or Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, a historic university known for its academic community and setting along the Neckar River.

Students interested in applying study abroad credit toward the German major or minor should speak with Dr. Olivia Gabor-Peirce before making plans. Programs and courses must be approved before the experience begins.

German opportunities and resources: Students can continue developing their language skills and connecting with German-speaking cultures through opportunities such as:

• German Table, which offers a relaxed setting for conversational practice and meeting other German students.
• German Club, which may organize cultural activities, events and opportunities to connect outside the classroom.
• The German Film Series, which introduces students to German-language cinema and cultural perspectives.
• German language character resources, which explain how to type letters and symbols such as ä, ö, ü and ß.

WMU offers institutional scholarships and grants that can help make a college education more affordable. Students interested in scholarship opportunities should review WMU’s financial aid resources and speak with the appropriate advising office about available options.