German Major
Learn the language most widely spoken in the European Union and study the culture behind Europe’s strongest economy.
17:1
STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO
4
GERMAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE GROUPS
BERLIN
SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM
18
AVERAGE UPPER-LEVEL CLASS SIZE
Total Credit Hours: 120
German Major Courses (33 hours)
Elective Courses (42 hours)
General Education (45 hours)
Is it possible to double major?
Yes, our current students often double major with German and another field of study successfully. Academic advisors are available to help you plan your course of study.
What You'll Study
Here, you’ll develop fluency in speaking and writing German while you study the literature, art, and culture of German-speaking countries. You’ll take 120 credit hours for a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language, including Virginia Tech's Pathways. Learn more about available courses:
- Introduction to Culture and Civilization
- Grammar, Composition, and Conversation
- Survey of German Literature
- From the Kaiser to Hitler: Germany 1871 to 1933
- Heroes and Heroines in German Literature
- Outsiders, Deviators, Underdogs: The Portrait of “Otherness” in German Cinema
Related Links
What is a Major in German?
Prepare to be a global citizen by understanding the culture and society of one of today’s major political, economic, and cultural players. You will work with dedicated faculty to attain fluency in speaking and writing German while developing the critical thinking and communication skills to compete in the global market.
Why Learn German Here?
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.
Beyond the Classroom
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 1.
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.
Virginia Tech in Germany
Experience German culture and civilization with a 3-week active adventure through Germany and Austria (3 credits). You will visit famous cultural sites such as Neuschwanstein Castle and the Reichstag building. Hiking, kayaking, and a multiple day bike tour are possible. The itinerary includes stops in Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Nuremberg, Weimar, and Berlin.
You can also extend your stay and earn 3-6 credits at the Freie Universität in Berlin.
Contact: Dr. Mike Layne
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German Tutoring
Find extra help with your German classes. We offer tutoring for you through the Student Success Center.
Summer Internship at the Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe
The Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe offers a 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 to 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 a visa fee.
What Our Students Are Saying
"The German Program at Virginia Tech will always hold a special place in my heart. I have met so many professors that genuinely care about your success and well-being, and become friends with many classmates in the close-knit German community. It is definitely not easy, but professors will work with you and push you to be a better student. It also pushed me to think in completely different ways, which was a nice change from my engineering curriculum. Thank you to everyone in the German Program for a great four years!"
Lena Campbell, '20
"The German program at Virginia Tech has brought to Blacksburg an ability to experience German culture in a way that you would not think possible without a semester abroad. Language skills improve during meaningful classroom discussions and extracurricular activities. The focus always centers around understanding and celebrating the German heritage, which in turn leads to discovering more about our own."
Andrew Thomas, '19
“The German Program at Virginia Tech was one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. The modern and classical German literature classes shaped my perspective on the culture and provided me with a unique space to practice reading, speaking, writing, and listening. The professors are exceptionally helpful and gifted at advancing each student's German skills."
Jacob Paule, '17
“The German program has given me vast amounts of knowledge, and I couldn't be happier with the faculty and staff associated with it.”
Jeremy Butler, '19
"Every faculty member in the German program is welcoming, friendly, and goes far and beyond when it comes to helping their students succeed. Whenever I needed extra help on a homework assignment or needed to clarify something before an exam, the professors were always happy to help. The German faculty made one of the biggest positive impacts in my experience at VT because they stand out in comparison to other departments with their high standard of integrity and care for their students."
Jenna Humphrey, '20
“I am very fortunate to have been able to study German at Virginia Tech, and I credit much of my academic development to the department's faculty, staff and students. In the classroom, the professors do a superb job of engaging and mentoring each student while teaching the language and literature in a cultural context. The department also sponsors numerous extracurricular events that help students and faculty share their passions for German. I am also grateful to have received financial support from the department for my studies as an engineering exchange student at the Ruhr-Universität in Bochum, Germany. Overall, studying German at VT was immensely beneficial in honing my language skills, in helping me balance the rigors of my engineering courses, and in molding me into a more globally cognizant student.”
Keshav Shah, ‘20
“Before the start of my freshman spring semester at VT, I learned about the German minor program when exploring possible language courses. It was interesting to learn something new and, after signing up, it had a lasting impact on me. Studying German at VT opened my eyes not only to a new language but a new culture as well. The variety of classes offered and the extracurricular activities, such as Maifest, made everything more immersive and memorable. Additionally, the support and variety of programs offered made me feel part of a larger community of fellow students.”
Kabyl Oxikbayev, ‘21
"Studying German at Virginia Tech was one of the best decisions I made. The small class sizes allowed me to get to know faculty members and fellow students on a personal level which I really appreciated. The courses offered were very intellectually rewarding and it was clear that the faculty truly cared about your success and growth in your understanding of German language and culture. The German program has a community that is not often found in other departments and I am very thankful for it. "
Rebecca Walters, ‘22
Careers and Further Study
Jacob Paule, '17
As a student, Jake studied German, materials science, and engineering. Hestarted his career with Evonik Corporation, a German specialty chemicals company. He works as a technical service representative and travels to Germany several times per year to engage in global meetings with German colleagues.
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.
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 interestto explore more about combining urban design with transportation engineering to create sustainable cities that are well integrated with public transit and less car dependent.
Samantha Vasquez, ‘17
After completing a bachelor’s degree in German and International Studies, Samantha worked for an international trade organization in Washington DC before earning a master’s degree in Education from George Mason University. She now teaches German at the high school level, drawing upon her German major and study abroad experience every day at work. In addition, Samantha teaches at the Virginia Governor’s World Language Academy, a three-week summer German immersion academy at Washington and Lee University.
What do I do with a German major?
With roughly 120 million speakers across the globe, fluency in German will provide you with opportunities like these:
- International Attorney
- Automotive Engineer
- Translator/Interpreter
- Foreign Diplomat
- Chemist
- International Marketing Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Foreign Correspondent
- University Professor
Our current students often double major with German and another field of study successfully.
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