At which campus can I study this program?
Entrance to Major
In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, a student must:
- attain at least a C (2.00) cumulative grade-point average for all courses taken at the University; and
- have third-semester classification.
READ SENATE POLICY 37-30: ENTRANCE TO AND CHANGES IN MAJOR PROGRAMS OF STUDY
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Science degree in German, a minimum of 120 credits is required:
Requirement | Credits |
---|---|
General Education | 45 |
Electives | 20-23 |
Requirements for the Major | 52-66 |
0-13 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 0-6 credits of GS courses; 0-3 credits of GWS courses; 0-4 credits of GQ courses.
Per Senate Policy 83-80.5, the college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of coursework in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. For more information, check the Recommended Academic Plan for your intended program.
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Knowledge Domains
- Arts (GA): 6 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 6 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits
Integrative Studies (may also complete a Knowledge Domain requirement)
- Inter-Domain or Approved Linked Courses: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Requirements for the Major
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major. To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn at least a C grade in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
Common Requirements for the Major (All Options)
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Prescribed Courses | ||
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
GER 301 | Intermediate Speaking and Listening | 3 |
GER 302W | Intermediate Composition and Grammar | 3 |
GER 310 | Introduction to the Study of German Literature | 3 |
GER 344 | Intermediate German Culture | 3 |
GER 401Y | Advanced Composition | 3 |
Additional Courses | ||
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
GER 201 | Conversation and Composition | 4 |
or GER 208Y | Business German | |
GER 431 | History of German Literature and Culture I | 3 |
or GER 432 | History of German Literature and Culture II | |
Requirements for the Option | ||
Requirements for the Option: Require a grade of C or better | ||
Select an option | 30-44 |
Requirements for the Option
Applied German Option (30 credits)
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Prescribed Courses | ||
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
GER 200N | Contemporary German Culture ![]() | 3 |
GER 399 | Foreign Study--German | 3 |
GER 499 | Foreign Study--German | 3 |
Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
Select 18 credits in related areas such as Hospitality Management, Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Sociology, Economics, Science, Technology and Society, or in another professional area where competency in German is desirable. The courses are to be selected in consultation with an adviser. At least 6 credits of such courses must be at the 400 level. | 18 | |
Select 3 credits in German at the 300 or 400 level | 3 |
Note: A work experience in a German-speaking country may be substituted for GER 399 or GER 499. The work experience may take the form of an internship (LA 495 or GER 495). If the number of work-experience credits for which a student registered is less than 6, the difference in the number of credits must be earned by taking additional courses in consultation with the Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures.
German Business Option (44 credits)
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Prescribed Courses | ||
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
ACCTG 211 | Financial and Managerial Accounting for Decision Making | 4 |
BA 301 | Finance | 3 |
BA 303 | Marketing | 3 |
BA 304 | Management and Organization | 3 |
ECON 102 | Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy ![]() | 3 |
ECON 104 | Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy ![]() | 3 |
ENGL 202D | Effective Writing: Business Writing ![]() | 3 |
GER 308Y | German Business Communication | 3 |
GER 408 | Advanced German Business Communications | 3 |
IB 303 | International Business Operations | 3 |
IB 403 | International Business and National Policies | 3 |
Additional Courses | ||
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
SCM 200 | Introduction to Statistics for Business ![]() | 4 |
or STAT 200 | Elementary Statistics ![]() | |
Select 3 credits from: | 3 | |
International Economics ![]() | ||
International Management | ||
Global Marketing | ||
Select an additional 3 credits of German courses at the 400 level | 3 |
German Engineering Option (33 credits)
Open only to students enrolled in an engineering major.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Prescribed Courses | ||
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
GER 308Y | German Business Communication | 3 |
GER 399 | Foreign Study--German | 3 |
GER 408 | Advanced German Business Communications | 3 |
GER 499 | Foreign Study--German | 3 |
Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
Select 21 credits of engineering courses in consultation with the engineering adviser | 21 |
Integrated B.S. in German and M.I.A. in International Affairs
Requirements for the Integrated B.S. in German and M.I.A. in International Affairs can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.
Program Learning Objectives
- Students will have developed oral skills in German that allow them to communicate efficiently in a range of settings from informal to professional.
- Students will have developed literacy skills that allow them to both read and write in German. Majors should be able to read and interpret a variety of media ranging from newspapers to literary texts to formal academic prose.
- Students will have developed an understanding of the structure of the German language.
- Students will have developed an understanding of the significance of the major cultural and historical events, personages and developments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
- Students will be familiar with major authors and literary works in German.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university’s academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee’s unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Liberal Arts Academic Advising
814-865-2545
Use the Liberal Arts Majors and Minors web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2020-21 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition (Note: the archive only contain suggested academic plans beginning with the 2018-19 edition of the Undergraduate Bulletin).
Applied German Option: German, B.S. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
GER 1 | 4 | GER 2 | 4 |
ENGL 15, 30H, 137H, CAS 137H, or ESL 15‡ | 3 | CAS 100A, 100B, or 100C‡ | 3 |
General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course (GQ)‡ | 3 |
General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
First Year Seminar (FYS) | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
16 | 16 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
GER 3 | 4 | GER 201 or 208Y (IL)* | 4 |
Applied Option Course, in consultation with adviser* | 3 | Applied Option Course, in consultation with adviser* | 3 |
General Education Course (GQ)‡ | 3 | GER 200N (GH;IL)* | 3 |
General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
General Education Course | 3 | US Cultures Course (US) | 3 |
16 | 16 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
GER 301 (IL)* | 3 | GER 401Y (IL)* | 3 |
GER 302W* | 3 | GER 344 (IL)* | 3 |
Applied Option Course, in consultation with adviser* | 3 | GER 399 (IL)* | 3 |
Applied Option Course, in consultation with adviser* | 3 | GER 499 (IL)* | 3 |
General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
GER 310 (IL)* | 3 | Select 3 credits of 300- or 400- level courses in GER, in consultation with adviser* | 3 |
GER 431 or 432 (IL)* | 3 | Select 3 credits of 300- or 400- level courses in GER, in consultation with adviser* | 3 |
400-level Applied Option Course, in consultation with adviser* | 3 | 400-level applied option course, in consultation with adviser* | 3 |
ENGL 202D‡ | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | Elective | 3 |
Elective | 2 | ||
15.5 | 13.5 | ||
Total Credits 123 |
* | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
# | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
† | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30H and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.
Advising Note:
All incoming freshmen must take a First-Year Seminar (FYS) during Fall or Spring of their first year. Academic advisers can provide a list of FYS being offered and help the student enroll. Most FYS in the College of the Liberal Arts are worth 3 cr. and count as a General Humanities (GH) or General Social Sciences (GS) course. For this reason, the FYS is not listed separately on this eight-semester plan; most students will be able to fulfill the FYS requirement while also fulfilling a GH or GS requirement.
Business Option: German, B.S. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
GER 1 | 4 | GER 2 | 4 |
ENGL 15, 30H, 137H, CAS 137H, or ESL 15‡ | 3 | CAS 100A, 100B, or 100C‡ | 3 |
ECON 102 (GS)*† | 3 | ECON 104 (GS)*† | 3 |
General Education Course (GQ)‡ | 3 | General Education Course† | 3 |
First Year Seminar (FYS) | 3 | General Education Course† | 3 |
16 | 16 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
GER 3 | 4 | GER 201 or 208Y (IL)* | 4 |
STAT 200 (GQ)*‡† | 4 | ACCTG 211* | 4 |
MGMT 100* | 3 | General Education Course* | 3 |
General Education Course† | 3 | General Education Course† | 3 |
General Education Course† | 3 | US Cultures Course (US) | 3 |
17 | 17 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
GER 301 (IL)* | 3 | GER 401Y (IL)* | 3 |
GER 302W* | 3 | GER 344 (IL)* | 3 |
ECON 333 (GS)* | 3 | FIN 100* | 3 |
MKTG 221* | 3 | IB 303 (IL)† | 3 |
General Education Course† | 3 | 400-level GER, in consultation with adviser* | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
GER 310 (IL)* | 3 | GER 408 (IL)* | 3 |
GER 431 or 432 (IL)* | 3 | IB 403* | 3 |
GER 308Y* | 3 | Elective* | 3 |
ENGL 202D‡ | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | Elective | 3 |
Elective | 2 | ||
15.5 | 13.5 | ||
Total Credits 125 |
* | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
# | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
† | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30H and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.
Advising Note:
All incoming freshmen must take a First-Year Seminar (FYS) during Fall or Spring of their first year. Academic advisers can provide a list of FYS being offered and help the student enroll. Most FYS in the College of the Liberal Arts are worth 3 cr. and count as a General Humanities (GH) or General Social Sciences (GS) course. For this reason, the FYS is not listed separately on this eight-semester plan; most students will be able to fulfill the FYS requirement while also fulfilling a GH or GS requirement.
Engineering Option: German, B.S. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
GER 1 | 4 | GER 2 | 4 |
ENGL 15, 30H, 137H, CAS 137H, or ESL 15‡ | 3 | CAS 100A, 100B, or 100C‡† | 3 |
General Education Course† | 3 | General Education Course (GQ)‡† | 3 |
General Education Course† | 3 | General Education Course† | 3 |
First Year Seminar (FYS) | 3 | General Education Course† | 3 |
16 | 16 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
GER 3 | 4 | GER 201 or 208Y (IL)* | 4 |
Engineering course, in consultation with engineering adviser* | 3 | Engineering course, in consultation with engineering adviser* | 3 |
General Education Course (GQ)‡† | 3 | Engineering course, in consultation with engineering adviser* | 3 |
General Education Course† | 3 | General Education Course† | 3 |
General Education Course† | 3 | US Cultures Course (US) | 3 |
16 | 16 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
GER 301 (IL)* | 3 | GER 401Y (IL)* | 3 |
GER 302W* | 3 | GER 344 (IL)* | 3 |
Engineering course, in consultation with engineering adviser* | 3 | GER 399 (IL)* | 3 |
Engineering course, in consultation with engineering adviser* | 3 | GER 499 (IL)* | 3 |
General Education Course† | 3 | General Education Course† | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
GER 310 (IL)* | 3 | GER 408 (IL)* | 3 |
GER 431 or 432 (IL)* | 3 | Engineering course, in consultation with engineering adviser* | 3 |
GER 308Y (IL)* | 3 | Engineering course, in consultation with engineering adviser* | 3 |
ENGL 202D‡ | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | Elective | 3 |
Elective | 2 | ||
15.5 | 13.5 | ||
Total Credits 123 |
* | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
# | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
† | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30H and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.
Advising Note:
All incoming freshmen must take a First-Year Seminar (FYS) during Fall or Spring of their first year. Academic advisers can provide a list of FYS being offered and help the student enroll. Most FYS in the College of the Liberal Arts are worth 3 cr. and count as a General Humanities (GH) or General Social Sciences (GS) course. For this reason, the FYS is not listed separately on this eight-semester plan; most students will be able to fulfill the FYS requirement while also fulfilling a GH or GS requirement.
Career Paths
German is one of the three official working languages of the European Union, and it is the most widely spoken native language in Europe. A degree in German opens up doors to a variety of careers in the US government and military, international business, international relations, international law, human rights, information technology, professional translation, publishing, education, the travel industry, and more. A number of our graduates have been awarded Fulbright and DAAD grants, and some have gone on to pursue graduate degrees in German Studies or related fields (Comparative Literature, Linguistics).
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF GERMANIC AND SLAVIC LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES
442 Burrowes Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-5481
psugerman@psu.edu