German, B.A.
Become a global professional with superior levels of German skills.
"Being a German language major is so much more than just learning a language. It exposes you to a whole new culture and community. There are also so many more opportunities with German from studying abroad to researching in German speaking countries."
Ally Watrous ('24)
B.A. in German and Physics, B.S. in Chemistry
Bachelor of Arts in German
The Department of Modern Languages in the College of Liberal Arts offers the B.A. in German. German majors demonstrate the ability to adapt and communicate across cultural divides because they possess not only linguistic competence but the intercultural knowledge of an effective professional in German speaking environments—skills sought by employers in an increasingly global world.
The program emphasizes composition, conversation, literature, German life and thought across centuries, history, and music. Small class sizes allow the program to be intimate and flexible, giving students the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas with fellow classmates and instructors. The minor in German offers emphases in cultural studies or business.
The Value of German Proficiency
German is the native language of over 120 million people, which is the largest community in the European Union. German is an international language of business, education, science, and technology. Many of the Western world’s most important works of philosophy, literature, music, art history, theology, psychology, chemistry, physics, engineering and medicine are written in German. Many students learn German to connect with family members and friends.
Related careers to German include iinternational business, banking, science research, tourism, journalism, law, translation, policy analysis, government/foreign service, cultural affairs, military service, non-profits, health care, and more.
On this Page…
Program Information
Degree
B.A. in German
Emphases
Business, Cultural Studies
Required Credit Hours
120
Program Type
Major
Minor
Program Location
School
Duration
4 Years
Degree Requirements
Find out about credit hour and course requirements from the 2025-26 academic catalog.
Students in the College of Liberal Arts earning the B.A. degree have a common set of 48-50 hours of general education. The specific courses taken to complete the categories of general education may differ between majors.
Categories of General Education:
- First Year Writing I, II
- English Literature Survey
- Modern or Ancient Language
- History
- Additional Humanities
- Fine or Performing Arts Appreciation
- Mathematics
- Social Sciences
- Natural Sciences
To see the details for these general education requirements, visit the UM online catalog or the degree sheet attached at the top of this webpage.
Students in the B.A. in German complete 30 credit hours of courses beyond the 200 level. They must complete either the business or cultural studies emphasis. A maximum of 15 credit hours of advanced courses may be taken through an approved study abroad program. Grades lower than C in German courses will not be counted toward the major. Students must also complete a minor field of study (or double major).
- Germ 303: Conversation and Composition I
- Germ 304: Conversation and Composition II
- 8 courses (21 credit hours) of German electives, with at least 3 courses (9 credit hours) at the 500-level.
To earn the German emphasis, students complete:
- Germ 311: Business German
- Germ 394: German Internship
To earn the Cultural Studies emphasis, students complete:
- Germ 331: Intro to Literature
A minor in German requires 15 credit hours. Students must complete an emphasis in business or cultural studies. A maximum of 9 credits for the minor may be taken through an approved study abroad program.
- Germ 303: German Conversation and Composition I
- Germ 304: German Conversation and Composition II
- 3 courses (9 credit hours) at the 300 level or above.
- The cultural studies emphasis may include any 9 hours of Germ credit at the 300 level or above.
- The business emphasis must include Germ 311 (Business German), Germ 394 (German Internship), and 3 additional hours at the 300 level or above.
Department Opportunities
Video: Get to Know the Department of Modern Languages
Hear firsthand from students and faculty about the German program.
Double Major: German and International Studies
Enhance your German degree with a B.A. in International Studies, an interdisciplinary major that focuses on the connections between politics, economics, and culture at the international level.
Students in the Croft Institute:
- Have access to small, discussion-based Croft courses with the Institute's professors who foster discussion, reflection and analysis.
- Specialize in a foreign language and study abroad for at least one semester in a country where that language is spoken.
- Can apply to Croft Scholars program, a prestigious scholarship which can be combined with other forms of financial assistance.
Welcome to the College of Liberal Arts
As Coordinator of Student Recruitment for the College of Liberal Arts, I work with students, and their parents, who are interested in attending UM for their undergraduate degrees. I coordinate personalized visits to our departments, answer questions about the majors and programs in the CLA and handle all recruitment communications from the CLA. Please feel free to send me any questions you may have. It is my job to make sure you have everything you need to make an informed decision on where to spend your college career, and I hope it will be with the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Mississippi!
Annabelle Harris
Admissions Counselor
Future CLA Students
College of Liberal Arts Undergraduates
We invite future undergraduates to learn about the College of Liberal Arts, the value of the liberal arts education, our programs, career opportunities, and resources to help you succeed. You can also request a personalized degree sheet.
Next Steps
Explore Affordability
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
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