German Program Information

Why Learn German?

  • More than 1,100 companies from German-speaking countries have subsidiaries in the U.S. There are over 200 German-based firms in Michigan alone.
  • 18% of books worldwide are written in German.
  • Among many academic programs requiring or recommending German are: anatomy, art, history, biochemistry, biology, biomedical physics, botany, chemistry, design, engineering, film studies, genetics, linguistics, logic and methodology of science, molecular biology, music near eastern studies, philosophy, physical science, physics, physiology, religious studies and zoology.
  • German is a key language in the European Union and in the rapidly growing markets of Central and Eastern Europe.
  • German companies in the U.S. pay the German-speaking employees premium salaries.
  • German is the most widely spoken language in Europe (as a native language in seven countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Luxembourg and Belgium)

For more information, download the Why Learn German? [PDF].

Undergraduate Programs 

The Undergraduate catalog gives a detailed description of the programs and courses offered by our department. Browse the online undergraduate catalog.

The following undergraduate programs are offered in the Department of World Languages.

Majors

Minors

German Language for International Careers (LIC)

The Language for International Career (LIC) degree program includes three semesters of in depth training in business German and international and cultural courses. You can choose any minor, however, we advise a minor in international business, international affairs, political science, economics or any business minor offered in College of Business (COB).

LIC students have traditionally received internships and employment with German companies in Michigan through strong ties that were fostered over the years by Professor Emeritus Margrit Zinggeler. These companies and organizations include: Daimler company, Detroit-Diesel, German Machine Tools of America, as well as the German-American Chamber of Commerce, MI-Chapter.

Graduate Programs 

Graduate Degrees

Graduate Certificate