Bachelor of Arts - German Studies

University of Minnesota Duluth's (UMD) German Studies program prepares students to be a global citizen. German-speaking countries are global economic leaders, are at the forefront in efforts for sustainable living, are innovators in science and industry, and have a rich artistic and cultural past and present. 

• German Studies at UMD offers individual attention, an excellent student-faculty ratio, and the opportunity for mentorship. 
• UMD offers all the benefits of a comprehensive university, opening exciting possibilities for double majors and minors, for example, Cultural Entrepreneurship, Environment and Sustainability Studies, and International Studies.
• Students in German Studies at UMD develop strong language proficiency and cultural competence in dynamic courses through hands-on work with and in the language. Those skills enable students to pursue international study and international careers.
• UMD offers rich opportunities for study abroad. Highlights of the many options available include the exchange program with the University of Passau, and a short-term UMD faculty-led course in Berlin. Scholarships are available to support study abroad, and faculty work closely with students to choose the right program and explore funding opportunities.

Acquired Skills

Courses are taught in German because language is central to communication, communities, and cultures. Through our active, student-centered classes, students will develop the skills to listen, speak, read, and write in German, while also growing a capacity for critical and creative thinking, oral and written communication skills, digital literacies, and intercultural competence. Learning German strengthens students' ability to think in new ways and prepares for in-depth study. In interdisciplinary courses, students will study literature, film, art, music, history, politics, performance, and new media, learning to connect cultural practices, products, and perspectives.

Career Possibilities

A degree in German Studies from UMD prepares students for the following careers, among others: diplomacy and foreign service, interpretation and translation, bilingual and intercultural education, international NGOs (United Nations, Peace Corps, VISTA, and Americorps), international business and international law, journalism and international media, linguistics, military service, archival work and museum curation. 

German-speaking cultures increasingly play pivotal roles in international relations, making familiarity with these cultures an important asset in several different career fields. Graduate programs in German-speaking countries value and actively seek applicants with German experience. As key players in global markets, German-speaking countries offer unique international career development opportunities, and because of the special relationship between the US and Germany, many programs are in place to facilitate economic, cultural and intellectual exchange, such as: the German Chancellor Fellowship, Heinrich Böll Foundation Grants, several German Academic Exchange programs, the Émigré Memorial German Internship Program at the German Parliament, the Cultural Vistas Fellowship, and the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange For Young Professionals, among others.