Dedman College Majors

German majors at SMU attain a high degree of mastery, and immerse themselves in many aspects of German thought – from history and literature to the German economy. You’ll also have the chance to study abroad at our SMU campus in Weimar, Germany. Major and minor programs can be structured to your personal goals, such as a broadly based liberal arts education, or using your linguistic and cultural skills to prepare for a career as a secondary-school language teacher. Our state-of-the-art language technology center has powerful workstations to accelerate your progress.

Degree Highlights

B.A. in German
Minimum 30 term hours, including 24 term hours of advanced courses
Emphasis is on acquiring advanced competency in the German language, as well as mastery of literatures associated with the German language.

B.A. in Foreign Language – German
The minor plus two additional advanced courses in German and the minor in Language II
Emphasis is on the linguistic and cultural aspects of the German language. Also required is a secondary focus on one of the languages in which we offer a minor.

Minor in German
Minimum 18 term hours: GERM 2311, 2312, 3311, and three additional advanced courses in German

Related Majors and Minors

German can be paired with other academic disciplines for a logical double major or minor. Try combining it with a major in history, art history, business, sociology, political science, or economics. Preparation for teacher certification is available through the Center for Teacher Education.

Careers

Because of the prominent role Germany plays in the European economy and world trade, there are numerous career options that require fluency in German. These include positions in education, international business, journalism, and international law. A double major in political science or other disciplines further enhances your marketability.

Faculty

Our faculty members provide a receptive and responsive learning environment that is second to none. Instructors conduct important research, such as studies of women writers in modern Germany.

Internships & Study Abroad

Dedman College students get paid internships through the Hegi Family Career Development Center. Students majoring in German or German area studies may be eligible to earn up to three (3) graded credits toward their degrees by enrolling for unpaid, faculty-directed internships through the Dedman College Internship Program.

A natural for German majors is the SMU Study Abroad Program. SMU's summer program, SMU-in-Weimar, Germany, is extremely beneficial and will sharpen your understanding of German culture and history.