2025-2026 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Entire Catalog Colleges Content & Navigation Course Filters Courses Degree Types Program Acronyms Program Descriptions Program Emphases Program Requirements Program Types Subjects Search Search Help
Search Descriptions

German Minor

• Requirements for a Minor in German
• Requirements for a German PK-12 Education Minor

Requirements for a Minor in German

Minors must take at least 20 credits of German beyond GER 102, including:

• GER 201 - Intermediate German I: Language and Culture (4 credits)*
• GER 202 - Intermediate German II: Language and Culture (3 credits)*
• GER 301 - German Composition (3 credits)
• GER 302 - German Conversation (3 credits)

*Students who place into the 300 level through GVSU's language placement test, AP or CLEP credits, or consultation with an advisor from the German section, must substitute GER 201 and 202 with additional upper-level electives.

Elective Courses

In addition to the previously listed courses, minors must complete at least 3 upper-level elective courses (9 credits) selected from the following:

• GER 303 - Introduction to German Literature I (3 credits)
• GER 304 - Introduction to German Literature II (3 credits)
• GER 311 - The Long 19th Century (3 credits)
• GER 312 - Contemporary German Culture (3 credits)
• GER 315 - German Cinema (3 credits)
• GER 321 - Improving German Pronunciation (3 credits)
• GER 322 - Introduction to German Linguistics (3 credits)
• GER 331 - Business German (3 credits)
• GER 341 - Advanced German Grammar (3 credits)
• GER 342 - Advanced Speaking Strategies and Skills (3 credits)
• GER 380 - Special Topics in German (1 to 9 credits)
• GER 385 - German Language (3 credits) Study abroad or similar as approved by advisor
• GER 386 - German Culture and Society (3 credits) Study abroad or similar as approved by advisor
• GER 399 - Independent Study (1 to 4 credits)
• GER 401 - Modern German Literature (3 credits)
• GER 402 - German Authors (3 credits)
• GER 421 - History of the German Language (3 credits)
• GER 480 - Special Topics in German (1 to 4 credits)
• GER 499 - Independent Study and Research (1 to 4 credits)

Requirements for a German PK-12 Education Minor

Students minoring and planning for certification in German are required to complete at least 27 hours beyond the 200-level (GER 202)*, including:

• GER 301 - German Composition (3 credits)
• GER 302 - German Conversation (3 credits)
• GER 322 - Introduction to German Linguistics (3 credits)
• GER 341 - Advanced German Grammar (3 credits)
• MLL 313 - Foundations of World Language Teaching (1 credit)
• MLL 314 - High-Leverage Practices for World Language Teaching (3 credits)
• One literature course from GER 303/GER 304/GER 401/GER 402 (3 credits)
• One culture course from GER 311/GER 312/GER 315 (3 credits)
• Two additional elective courses from literature, culture, or linguistics (GER 321/GER 421) categories OR GER 342 - Advanced Speaking Strategies and Skills (3 credits)

*Per program accreditation requirements, teacher certification coursework in world languages must be at the 300 level or above. Students may need to take up to 15 additional credits (GER 101, GER 102, GER 201, and GER 202) before beginning the 300-level coursework, depending on language placement or credits earned by exam.

Oral Proficiency Requirement

It is a requirement of the Michigan Department of Education and Grand Valley's College of Education and Community Innovation that teacher candidates achieve the advanced low level on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in German before student teaching. The OPI should be taken right away after returning from a study abroad program. Information sessions on the OPI and other requirements for certification are provided each semester.

Study Abroad Requirement

All German PK-12 education minors must complete an approved study abroad program in a German-speaking country of at least of one semester in length. Students who cannot complete this requirement may work with a faculty advisor to complete one of several alternative programs, which may add additional credits. Students who have already spent considerable time abroad, especially in a German-language high school, may be exempt from the requirement. Please discuss your situation with an advisor as early in your program as possible. Note: Per program accreditation requirements, teacher certification coursework in world languages must be at the 300-level or above. Students may need to take up to 16 additional credits (GER 101, GER 102, GER 201, and GER 202) before beginning the 300-level coursework, depending on language placement or credits earned by exam.