Our German program includes a BA in World Languages with a German concentration as
well as a minor, both of which offer a valuable and tangible supplement to students
studying to eventually work in the fields of engineering, technology, chemistry, music,
and the automotive industry.
German Placement
If you have had two or more years of German in high school, then you will need to
contact Dr. Lehman to arrange to take a placement exam to determine which level of German course is
right for you. If you place into a higher level of beginning German and pass that
course with a grade of C or higher, you may automatically get transcript credit (without
grade points) for the cours(es) you skipped over (max 6 credits).
If you have had less than two years of high school German, then you should probably
be taking GER 101. University-level language courses are much more intensive than
their high school counterparts, and students who have completed less than two years
of high school German (or equivalent self-study) often have trouble jumping straight
into upper-level courses.
Study Abroad in Germany
If you are interested in taking courses in Germany, WCU offers plenty of opportunities!
For those who cannot spend an entire semester abroad, the faculty-led summer program
in Germany is an excellent option. Most summers, Dr. Lehman takes a group of students
to Germany for four weeks, where each student takes six credit hours of German language
and culture. In the past, we have had courses at the beginning (GER101/102), intermediate
(GER231/232) and advanced (two three-credit courses at the 300-400 level) levels.
If you are interested in learning more, contact Dr. Lehman at welehman@wcu.edu. Applications for the following summer are usually due in November.
For those interested in longer stays in Germany, there are several options. The University
of North Carolina system has an exchange program (UNCEP) with the German state of
Baden-Württemberg (of which Stuttgart is the capital city), as well as ISEP programs
in other German cities. For more information on these and other programs contact Office of Global Engagement.
Where You'll Go
Employers in almost every career field value having bilingual staff members giving
you a variety of job options in the private and public sectors. Another popular, and
in-demand, career is working as a translator or interpreter, a job that can have you
working in the court system, hospitals and a variety of other locations. The Bureau
of Labor Statistics states the average salary for translators and interpreters is
$49,110 (as of 2021) and expects the job field to grow by 20% by the year 2031, which
is much faster than the average growth rate of jobs overall.
German is the national language of Germany and Austria and is the most commonly spoken
native language in the European Union, with nearly 100 million speakers, including
the majority of the population of Switzerland and minority populations in Belgium
and Italy. With hundreds of German and Swiss subsidiaries in the US, the ability to
speak and understand German gives applicants a competitive edge in an increasingly
tight labor market. Learn more by visiting the College of Arts and Sciences to explore all available programs.
Degree Options
School
College of Arts & Sciences, Department of World Languages
Location
Cullowhee Campus
Length
Typically completed alongside a major; flexible pacing
Time to Complete:
Varies based on major and course sequencing
Credits:
7 courses total (3-course core plus 4 electives); generally 21–22 semester credit
hours, depending on electives chosen
App Deadline:
No separate application; declare the minor through academic advising
More Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵapp Our German Minor
If you’re interested in studying German language and culture but have declared a major
that doesn’t easily accommodate a second major, we encourage students to consider
a German minor. A minor in German will give your education an international and European
dimension, which can give you a definite edge in the job market. Course requirements
for the German minor include the 4-semester beginning and intermediate language sequence,
plus any three upper-level courses with a GER prefix.
At WCU, the German minor is designed to be accessible to both complete beginners and
heritage or previously-studied learners. Through structured coursework and supportive
instruction, students build reading, writing, listening, and speaking proficiency.
The German minor offers a manageable yet meaningful commitment — roughly four semesters
of language coursework, followed by advanced German classes. This flexibility allows
students to graduate on time while gaining valuable multilingual and multicultural
skills.
Through a broad curriculum spanning world languages (like German), global studies,
literature, philosophy, history, and cultural analysis, the department offers students
opportunities to deepen their understanding of societies, identity, and human expression.
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