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2026-2027 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog [In Progress]

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Bachelor of Arts in German

For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section in this catalog.

Requirements for a Major in German

Students majoring in German are required to complete 30 hours of GER 300- or 400-level courses beyond GER 201, including:

*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 202 with an additional upper-level elective.

** Capstone must be taken in the last year preceding graduation.

Students should take careful note of the prerequisites for their chosen courses. All PK-12 education majors and minors must also complete an approved study abroad program (see as follows).

Electives Courses (6)

At least six additional upper-level courses - at least one at the 400 level.

SUGGESTED ORDER OF COURSEWORK FOR A MAJOR IN GERMAN

Year One

Fall:

Winter:

Year Two

Fall:

Winter:

Year Three

Fall:

  • German elective - 3 credits
  • German elective - 3 credits

Winter:

  • German elective - 3 credits
  • German elective - 3 credits

Year Four:

Fall:

  • 400-level German elective - 3 credits

Winter

Requirements for a German PK-12 Education Major

Students majoring and planning for certification in German are required to complete at least 36 hours in German beyond the 200 level (GER 202), including the following:

* 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 300-level coursework, depending on language placement or credits earned by exam.

Elective Courses

In addition to the previously listed, all students must complete two electives (six credits) at the 300- or 400-level, which may include additional courses in culture, linguistics, and literature, or some of the following:

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.

STUDY ABROAD REQUIREMENT

Students with a German PK-12 education major or minor must study abroad in a German-speaking country for a minimum of one semester (12 to 15 credits in German at the 300- or 400-level) in a departmentally approved program. Courses taken during the study abroad semester normally fulfill some of the courses required for the major, but these need to be determined ahead of time by a German advisor. Advising is critical. Students interested in pursuing a teaching degree in German are urged to meet with a German advisor as early as possible in their program.

Students are advised to complete at least two courses (six credits) of German at the 300-level prior to studying abroad in order to maximize proficiency gains abroad.

Students who cannot meet the study abroad requirement will need to complete an alternative plan approved by a German advisor.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN EDUCATION

Students majoring in German PK-12 Education are required to complete an additional major in Education (39 credits). Please see the details at College of Education and Community Innovations Undergraduate PK-12 Education Program.


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