German Major
Why Study German at Virginia Tech?
Study in small classes with award-winning faculty who will share with you their expertise and appreciation of the German language and culture. You will develop the language and cultural knowledge necessary to collaborate with German-speaking partners in professional and research fields.
75%
Students Double Major
Mozaiko
German House Living Learning Community
4
German Language and Cultural Groups
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Lena Campbell, '20
While studying German and Mechanical Engineering, Lena served as a German tutor to help develop other students’ skills and love of the language. She valued the opportunity to engage with the close-knit German community through German Culture club events. Lena is working as an Embedded Software Engineer with Thales Defense and Security, Inc. and hopes to use her German skills throughout her career.
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Kabyl Oxikbayev, ‘21
Before graduating in Spring 2021, Kabyl applied for Masters’ programs in Europe, one of which was at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). He was accepted by the program and began his studies in October of that year. At TUM, Kabyl is specializing in Transportation Demand Management with the interest to explore more about combining urban design with transportation engineering to create sustainable cities that are well integrated with public transit and less car dependent.
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Jonathan Falls, '22
While working towards B.A.s in German and International Relations, Jonathan Falls developed lasting interests in 19th- and 20th-century German philosophy and literature. Outside of the classroom, he held various positions in the German Culture Club and was a German tutor. He has served as a Language Mentor and German Teacher at the Virginia Governor's World Language Academies. Jonathan is currently an Instructor of Humanities and Associate Administrator at Community High School in Roanoke, VA, where his knowledge of German continues to inform his pedagogy.
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Julia Humphrey, ‘22
Julia Humphrey graduated from Virginia Tech in 2022 with a major in International Studies and minors in French and German. Since graduation she has been working for Corning Optical Communications, first at their headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. and more recently in Berlin. As a digital marketing specialist, she works on website design, social media, and digital advertising strategy. Julia’s position allows her to combine her language skills with a passion for digital media.
Careers and Further Study
What Can You Do With a Major in German?
Jobs Held by Our Graduates
- International Attorney
- Automotive Engineer
- Translator/Interpreter
- Foreign Diplomat
- Chemist
- International Marketing Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Foreign Correspondent
- University Professor
Beyond the Classroom
Experiential Learning
Join our German Culture Club, which organizes a variety of activities.
We also host a monthly Kaffeeklatsch, where you can enjoy cookies and German conversation.
Students who excel academically in their German studies are invited to become members of Delta Phi Alpha, the National German Honor Society.
Participate in Teach for Jamie, an after-school language and culture program for elementary school students. You'll serve with us in memory of Jamie Bishop, a former German instructor at Virginia Tech.
Undergraduate Research
As you complete undergraduate research, you'll have opportunities to publish your work in peer-reviewed journals, including Philologia, and to submit your work for presentation at conferences.
Jamie Bishop Memorial Scholarship
The scholarship provides support for students majoring or minoring in German who plan to study, intern, or conduct research in a German-speaking country. Apply by December 1 or April 15.
This fund was created to honor the memory of Professor Jamie Bishop, who, as a German instructor, held “the conviction that learning a foreign language and culture is not just a joy, but is fundamental to our civilization.” If you have questions, contact Dr. Esther Bauer.
Living, working, and conducting research in a German-speaking country are great ways for students to familiarize themselves with the people, language, and customs of a country. Virginia Tech students are encouraged to take advantage of the wide range of opportunities for study, internships, and research available in Austria, Germany, and the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Programs abroad can be for a few weeks in the summer, a semester, or an entire academic year.
Contacts
Global Education Office
German majors and minors interested in opportunities abroad should consult their German advisor.
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Living, working, and conducting research in a German-speaking country are great ways for students to familiarize themselves with the people, language, and customs of the land. Virginia Tech students are encouraged to take advantage of the wide range of opportunities for study, internships, and research available in Austria, Germany, and the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Programs abroad can be for a few weeks in the summer, a semester, or an entire academic year. Many offer courses at various levels, so study abroad is ideal for beginners as well as advanced students. Often there are classes in English as well as German, so students can enroll in courses that are part of a German major or minor as well as those that count as General Education/Pathways or for another program of study.
Credit: Students who study abroad can earn credit for specific VT courses or for GER 3954 Study Abroad. Those who complete an internship commonly register for GER 4964 Field Study. Undergraduates who pursue a research project abroad earn credit for GER 4994 Undergraduate Research.
All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, including all German majors and minors, must complete this form BEFORE departure: Authorization to Take Courses Abroad.
Useful Resources
A good place to start is Virginia Tech’s Global Education Office website. The link for Outbound Students provides information about the various programs, scholarship support, and how to prepare for your travel abroad, with important advice regarding finances and insurance.
Here are additional links that offer helpful and practical information.
General Information
- DAAD Studienangebote – international degree programs and short-term courses offered in Germany
- ISEP Germany Country Handbook – a must-read if you want to study in Germany
- A Student Guide to Studying Abroad – resources, scholarships, tips, and tricks for study abroad
- Going Global: A College Student's Road Map to Studying Abroad - helpful information from the Affordable College Online Website
- StudyAbroad.com – degree and non-degree programs
- DAAD Study in Germany – information about Germany, programs of study, and planning your stay
- DAAD Study in Germany – Cost of Living – monthly expenses when studying abroad
- MyGermanUniversity Study in Germany – a webinar providing basic information about applying to study in Germany, including academic program databases and scholarships; click on “Show More” for additional links and video contents
- Study in Germany – general information about studying, living, and working in Germany
- DAAD Internship Basics – finding, financing, and recognizing a good internship
- deutschland.de How to Find an Internship in Germany
Study Abroad Programs
- AATG College Summer Program – 4-week summer program in Bonn, Germany
- Bowling Green State University – programs in Salzburg, Austria
- CIEE in Berlin
- Columbia University, Berlin Consortium for German Studies
- FU-BEST – Berlin European Studies program, with German language courses as well as courses in English at the Freie Universität Berlin
- FUBiS – international summer and winter university at the Freie Universität Berlin
- Fulbright Study/Research Grants – for students with a bachelor’s; apply at beginning of senior year
- Georgetown in Tübingen
- Heidelberg – International Summer School of German Language and Culture
- Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) – several programs in Berlin and Freiburg
- International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP)
- Marburg – Intensive German Studies Program
- Salzburg - AIFS
- UAS7 – German Universities of Applied Sciences study and internship opportunities
- USAC program in Lüneburg
- Virginia Tech has exchange programs with (technical) universities in Braunschweig, Darmstadt, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Munich
- Wayne State Junior Year in Munich – also semester-only study options
Work Abroad/Internships
- Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX for Young Professionals) – language training phase (August-September), study phase (October-January), internship phase (February-June); deadline in the fall; highly competitive
- Cultural Vistas – a non-profit exchange organization that promotes global understanding and assists students in finding and applying for internships; also administers scholarships.
- DAAD Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE)
- Deutscher Bundestag – Internationales Parlaments-Stipendium (IPS), deadline is usually in June for the following year (March-July)
- FU-BEST Internships – 8-week internships in Berlin (mid-May – mid-July)
- Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Grants – for students with a bachelor’s degree; must apply at beginning of senior year; opportunities in Germany and Austria (require separate application)
- German American Exchange – 3-month paid summer internships
- Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe – internship for one VT student during the summer; information will be shared with the VT German Google group via e-mail as soon as details for the internship become available
- Steuben-Schurz-Gesellschaft – Internship Program
- UAS7 German Universities of Applied Sciences Study and Internship Program (SIP) in Germany
- U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Germany – search for “internships”
- GoinGlobal – this resource provides career guides and listings of jobs and internships abroad
- German Marshall Fund internships
Scholarships
- Jamie Bishop Memorial Scholarship – select German Language; for study and internship in Germany; administered by VT German Program
- College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Education Abroad Scholarship
- VT Undergraduate Scholarships
- Non-VT Undergraduate Scholarships
- DAAD Scholarships and Grants
Research
Research in Germany – opportunities for undergraduates and graduate students
Contacts
Global Education Office
German majors and minors interested in opportunities abroad should consult their German instructor and Caitlin Cook, Academic Advisor for all GER majors and minors.
Find extra help with your German classes. We offer tutoring for you through the Student Success Center.
The Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe offers an 8-week summer internship for an American student from Virginia Tech. Applicants should have knowledge of written and spoken German and at least one 3000-level German course by the end of the semester before the internship. Responsibilities include office duties, assistance to international students, English tutorial programs, and support for the excursion program. Interns receive free lodging, one meal each weekday, public transportation within Karlsruhe, and the opportunity to attend classes and participate in excursions. Interns are responsible for travel expenses to and from Karlsruhe, health insurance, and visa fee.
For questions, contact Dr. Debra Stoudt.
Live in the German House at Mozaiko, a Living-Learning community where the world is at your fingertips. U.S. and international students live together in a diverse community, where you learn about each other's cultures, immerse yourself in language practice, and prepare for a lifetime of intercultural leadership.
The German tandem language learning program pairs native German speakers with VT students at the intermediate level to develop authentic communication skills. The one-on-one learning takes place virtually according to a schedule developed by the two partners. Tandem learning allows you to build your German speaking and listening skills, reflect on cultural differences, and further your ability to interact in intercultural and international contexts. It is great preparation for an internship, research opportunity, or study abroad experience in a German-speaking country.
Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages Degree
- Including Virginia Tech's Pathways
German Major Requirements
- Conversation, Composition, and Grammar
- Oral proficiency
- Culture of the German-Speaking Countries
- German Culture and Literature
- Advanced Composition and Stylistics
- Advanced courses on a variety of topics
Minor and Elective Hours
Our program gives you the opportunity to build knowledge in another area by pursuing a minor, double major, or cognate.
120 hrs
B.A. Foreign Languages
45 hrs
General Education
33 hrs
Major Requirements
42 hrs
Elective
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