Bachelor of Arts in German Studies

Our students become critical thinkers who are fluent in the German culture, its role in forming the modern world, and its language and who find satisfying careers in business, diplomatic service, government, publishing, the arts and academia.

As a German studies major, you’ll learn about all areas of German culture and its crucial role in the formation of the modern world. Our interdisciplinary program focuses on the study of the German language, its manifestations in history, and its use in the current cultural and social context. In addition to honing your language skills in German, our courses prepare you to think critically and creatively while becoming better skilled at living and working in our increasingly globalized world.

  • Refine your German language skills while explore Germany’s history and culture
  • Learn to think critically and creatively
  • Be adaptable and flexible to live and work in a complex, globalized world

Enhance your German speaking skills in our state-­of-­the-­art Max Kade German Room for language instruction

Explore for-credit in Regensburg and Berlin, Germany

Combine your German studies major with a second major, such as history, international affairs or philosophy, to broaden career choices

Be successful.

Specialized knowledge of German—the most spoken language in Europe—gives graduates an edge in the job market.

 
$53,000

Median salary of CU Boulder German studies students 1–5 years after graduation

 

Analyst, foreign language teacher, journalist or correspondent, interpreter or translator, and business development manager are common job opportunities for graduates

 

Work in business, diplomatic service, government, publishing, the arts or academia

Academic Plan & Requirements

German studies students design their own major in consultation with the undergraduate advisor and a faculty mentor.

Requirements include:

  • 32 hours beyond GRMN 1020; 18 hours must be completed at the 3000 or 4000 level
  • General requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences

Additional degree option for German studies students includes:

  • Bachelor's-accelerated master's (BAM): This degree program in German is specifically designed for first-year students who enter CU Boulder ready to take courses toward the major (3000 level and above). This highly structured degree program results in students’ earning both a BA and MA in German in five years of study.

Community & Involvement

We offer students many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies and get the most out of their undergraduate experience.

ACD-CG: ba minor german community

Be inspired.

The Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures has an extensive list of alumni working in a variety of fields across the globe.

Some alumni of the program include:

Heidi Obermeyer

(BA'12)
A German Chancellor Fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations

Ellysse Dick

(BA'16)
Program assistant for the Women in Public Service Project at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars in Washington, D.C.

Alex Becker

(BA'06)
Co-founder and vice president of Real Estate Consultants of Colorado

Kathryn Tisdale

(MA'03)
Served as director of advising quality at the University of Colorado Boulder and is now strategic initiative project manager at the university

News & Stories

College of Arts & Sciences magazine cover