BA in German
Degree Program Description
The German degree is the exploration of the language, literature, and culture of German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) and their place in Europe and the world. Students combine coursework in German and English to develop skills in critical thinking, cultural awareness, media literacy, and linguistic competence. MU German majors commonly double major and have successfully pursued careers in business, engineering, finance, law, journalism, government service, teaching, medicine, and the sciences, as well as in art, literature, philosophy, music, and film. Students engage with cultural and philosophical traditions and learn about key issues affecting media, technology, art, politics, and society in present-day German-speaking countries as well as at key moments in its past.
Major Program Requirements
The major in German consists of 27 credits in German or in courses related to German speaking countries in History, Art History, Film Studies, Digital Global Studies, or the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures beyond GERMAN 2100. Students are encouraged to pursue internships for course credit, and have options to complete courses in English that focus on German and European cultural studies. The German faculty strongly encourages all majors to spend at least one semester studying abroad at a German university. Equivalents to all the required courses for the major are available through study abroad.
German majors commonly pursue one of two tracks. The first is focused more strongly on linguistic competence; students take more courses taught in German, including in single or multi-semester study abroad experiences. The second track involves more classes taught in English and is focused more on cultural competency. Both tracks pair well with majors in business, engineering, international studies, journalism, history, art history, the natural sciences, and more.
In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated.
| Major core requirements (beyond the A&S language requirement) | ||
| The following courses or their equivalents must be included: | ||
| GERMAN 2260 | Intermediate German II: Language and Culture | 3 |
| GERMAN 2310 | German Civilization I: Barbarians, Valkyries, Knights, Poets | 3 |
| or GERMAN 2320 | German Civilization: 1850 to Present | |
| GERMAN 3160 | German Conversation and Composition | 3 |
| or GERMAN 3190 | Contemporary German Culture | |
| GERMAN 3230 | Introduction to German Literature | 3 |
| or GERMAN 3320 | Readings in German Literature | |
| GERMAN 4160 | Advanced Language Proficiency | 3 |
| GERMAN 4980 | German Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| One GERMAN 4000-level literature, culture, or history course | 3 | |
| Electives | ||
| Elective courses and equivalents to replace the required courses above should be selected in consultation with the advisor. | ||
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Semester Plan
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GERMAN 2260 | 3 | GERMAN 3160 | 3 |
| HIST 1100 | 3 | Course for Second Major | 3 |
| ENGLSH 1000 | 3 | MATH 1050, 1100, or STAT 1200 | 3 |
| Course for Second Major | 3 | Foundation Requirements (Sciences with Lab) | 5 |
| Foundation Requirements (Humanities) | 3 | Foundation Requirements (Social Sciences) | 3 |
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GERMAN 3230 | 3 | GERMAN 3190 | 3 |
| Course for Second Major | 3 | GERMAN 2320 | 3 |
| Course for Second Major | 3 | Course for Second Major | 3 |
| Foundation Requirements (Sciences-Math Reasoning Proficiency) | 3 | Course for Second Major (WI) | 3 |
| Foundation Requirements (Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | Foundation Requirements (Science) | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GERMAN 3005 | 3 | GERMAN 4230 | 3 |
| GERMAN 4160 | 3 | Course for Second Major | 3 |
| Elective in German | 3 | Foundation Requirements (Behavioral Sciences) | 3 |
| Elective in German | 3 | Elective Course | 3 |
| Foundation Requirements (Social Sciences) | 3 | Elective Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GERMAN 4240 | 3 | GERMAN 4980 | 3 |
| Course for Second Major | 3 | Capstone Course for Second Major | 3 |
| Course for Second Major | 3 | Foundation Requirements (Humanities) | 3 |
| Foundation Requirements (Social Sciences) | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 122 | |||
NOTE: Third Year - Study Abroad at German University
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.