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2021-2022 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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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 33 hours of GER 300- or 400-level courses beyond GER 202, including:

AND one linguistics course selected from:

AND one advanced language course selected from:

AND one advanced literature/culture course selected from:

*GER 421 may be used to satisfy both the linguistics and the advanced literature/culture requirements.

Capstone must be taken in the last year preceding graduation. Students should take careful note of the prerequisites for their chosen courses. All secondary education majors and minors must also complete an approved study abroad program (see as follows).

Electives Courses

Six courses not selected from the previously listed, in addition to:

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

Students with a German secondary 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 Secondary Education Major in German

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:

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:

Requirements for Certification in Secondary Education

Students seeking teaching certification with a major or minor in German must attain a level of at least Advanced-Low in an official Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) before applying to the College of Education and Community Innovation. We will provide information sessions on preparing for the Oral Proficiency Interview each year.


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