About German
Studying German in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics at Florida State University gives students a thorough grounding in the language with courses ranging from basic German to advanced courses in conversation, composition, grammar and linguistics. It provides an excellent introduction to literature, film, and civilization of German-speaking countries. Undergraduate students develop refined ways of analyzing information and communicating, and they build important professional and interpersonal skills. With opportunities to study abroad and earn credits toward their major, students enhance their environmental awareness, develop critical thinking skills and become aware of their own personal practices and beliefs.
Considered a useful language in the study of literature, film, art, music, philosophy, history, archaeology, science and business, the German language opens doors to jobs around the world. Faculty teach a wide-range of courses about the German language, customs and linguistics. The department offers several scholarships and opportunities to study abroad in Germany. A degree in German will move students quickly towards bilingualism while gaining critical thinking skills.
To learn more about the master's degree program in German, visit German Graduate Studies.
[EFFECTIVE FALL 2025]:*
(*for students enrolled in the major prior to fall 2025, please consult the Academic Program Guide and for questions contact our undergraduate advising team).
German Major (30 hours total)
Core Requirements (6 hours)
- LIN 2004 World Languages
- FOW 2100 Literature and the World
German Major Requirements (24 hours)
- 12 credit hours at the 3000-level
- 3 credit hours of skill courses (e.g., GER3310, GER3780)
- 3 credit hours of literature, film, and culture courses taught in German (e.g. GER3502, GER3930)
- Minimum of 6 credits at the 4000-level
Students will complete 24 credit hours of coursework numbered beyond 2220. A minimum of 6 credit hours must be at the 4000-level. No more than 6 credit hours of translation courses taught in English will count towards the German major.
Teacher Certification in German
For teacher certification of language teaching in the state of Florida, students are not required to complete education courses, just a German major (plus a minor if required) through the College of Arts and Sciences. Students can then qualify for a Temporary Florida Educator's Certificate. While student teaching, candidates can learn the professional education competencies to qualify for a Professional Florida Educator's Certificate. See complete information online at fldoe.org.
GERMAN MINOR
12 semester hours numbered above 1999 are required for the minor. Credit extended in meeting the foreign language requirement for graduation or for any other major may not be used in satisfying the minor
(i.e. if GER 2220 is used to meet the foreign language requirement, it may not be counted toward the minor). A minimum grade of C- must be earned for all courses taken for the minor. A maximum of one German course taught in English (GET 3130, 3524 and IDS 2467, 33112, 3188) may count towards the minor and can be taken while satisfying the language requirement
Deutschland erleben - studieren in Deutschland (Experience Germany - Study in Germany)
The German faculty encourages students of German to study in Germany.
The Center for Global Engagement offers a range of semester- or year-long exchanges with German and Austrian universities. During these exchanges, students will be enrolled in placeholder courses at FSU during the period abroad and pay FSU tuition for the number of credit hours they plan to receive. In other words, the credits that they earn abroad will be transferred to their FSU transcripts according to a rate of currently 1 FSU = 0.67 ECTS (German) credits. While abroad, all financial aid will be applied to the students’ accounts.
If you are interested to apply for the Center for Global Engagement exchanges listed below, please contact A. D. Weber. Office: DIF 316, E-mail: aweber@fsu.edu, phone: 850-644-8192
List of German and Austrian exchanges through the Center of Global Engagement:
Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Germany
This international exchange is currently available to five graduate or undergraduate students in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics or the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. To participate in this exchange as an undergraduate student, it is advised that you are working toward a minor or major in German. For more information, please visit the Oldenburg University - FSU Exchange Program.
Summer course on German language. At the Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg you also have the option to take an 100 hours intensive German summer course taught by experienced and professional teachers who are native speakers. Most work in the classroom will consist of small-group instruction. The course focuses on the standard use of spoken and written German and on features of modern German society. Attention will be paid to developing all four skills: speaking, reading, listening and writing. The course includes excursions.
Students earn 6 American credits that are transferable to their FSU transcripts. Since Oldenburg university is an exchange partner of FSU, students who take this course do not pay tuition in Germany and only have to cover their travel and living expenses for the time of the course and their credits at FSU. Please note that the call for applications (with the exact dates for that year’s course) is usually made in February/March of the course year.
Eligibility. Students at all levels of German study can apply. However, the course is ideal for students at the GER 2220 level. Applications are invited in spring of the summer course academic year.
Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Germany
This international exchange is currently available to ten FSU students in any academic major. We recommend that students apply for one academic year (fall and spring semesters combined) but they can also apply for single semesters. Please visit Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Germany’s website for more information. Study in the Spring Semester is supported by one Maura Binkley Scholarship per academic year.
Universität Salzburg, Austria
This international exchange is currently available for up to three undergraduate or graduate students in the Department of History or the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics. Students in other majors may apply depending on availability. There is a small additional fee to take German language courses at Salzburg (between 45-120 Euros), but students can take classes in English or regular German classes. For more information, please visit the University of Salzburg - FSU Exchange Program.
Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Germany
This international exchange is currently available to five graduate or undergraduate students in the College of Business. For more information, Ludwig Maximilians University - FSU College of Business Exchange Program.
Verband der Deutsch-Amerikanischen Clubs/ Federation of German-American Clubs e.V.
The Federation of German-American Clubs offers a yearly scholarship to one academically outstanding graduate student of the German program. Selected students enroll at one of the VDAC’s partner universities and enjoy one fully funded year of graduate study in Germany. In exchange, one graduate student from a partner institution studies at Florida State University and teaches German in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics. For more information please contact Christian Weber, Ph.D. For more information on Christian Weber please visit his web page.
“Experiencing Germany,” FSU’s German summer program in Dresden (International Programs)
This program is designed to acquaint participants with the literature, language, and performing arts of contemporary Germany. Based in the beautiful river city of Dresden, students will live for one month on the campus of the Technical University and take excursions to the historically significant cities of Berlin and Weimar and the majestic region of Saxon Switzerland (Sächsische Schweiz). Once a symbol of the war-ravaged East, Dresden has emerged from the Cold War as a center of architectural, musical, and literary importance and provides compelling insights into the German nation and its past, present and future.
Eligibility: This program is open to all interested students. There is no language prerequisite. Courses are taught in English. For more information, please visit international.fsu.edu.
FU Berlin
Students who wish to spend a semester in Germany can enroll in the FU-BEST program offered at the Freie Universität in Berlin. You'll find more information under: www.fu-berlin.de/fubest
If you are interested in a summer study in Berlin, you can enroll in one of the summer sessions offered by FUBiS , the Freie Universität’s International Summer and Winter University. For more information please contact A. Dana Weber, Ph.D. For more information on A. Dana Weber please visit her web page.
Goethe-Institute
Students interested in improving their language skills (while living in Germany) might wish to take advantage of an intensive summer course organized by the Goethe Institute.
Additional Information:
Students interested in studying abroad may also consider applying for funding and programs available through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, the Humboldt Foundation, as well as the Fulbright program.
For questions and specific details about CBYX, Fulbright, Humboldt, please contact the German faculty. For questions pertaining specifically to the DAAD, please contact A. Dana Weber, aweber@fsu.edu
To view current undergraduate German courses and descriptions, visit the College of Arts and Sciences Bulletin and scroll down to courses beginning with prefixes GER, GET and GEW. GET3130, GET3524r and GET4800 are taught in English.
The following German courses are also available to undergraduate students and taught in English:
- IDS 2467 Interdisciplinary Explorations in German Culture
- IDS3188. German Society Through Film: The Legacy of Nazi Crimes Against Humanity
- IDS3312. Robots, Monsters, Avatars: Technology and the (Post-)Human Condition
German Language Table (Stammtisch)
The German Table is on again - an opportunity to speak and exercise German in an informal setting, and meet students and faculty of the German program.
Where: On Zoom.
Please contact Dr. A. D. Weber (aweber@fsu.edu) for the time and Zoom links.
Drop in any time, stay long or only a short time, you are always welcome. If you are enrolled in a basic course you may even get some credit (check with your instructor)!
Testimonials:
Alex (junior, German minor or major): "Great practice outside the classroom. We get to apply what we've learned in real conversations. Stammtisch has definitely helped my German progress."
Amanda (German major): "I have met many new people through Stammtisch! It is an hour of learning new things from different people and enriching my FSU experience."
Steven (freshman): "I come so I can hear people speak German or about German. It helps. Definitely is not a replacement for studying. Sometimes there will be games in German, and often the Teaching Assistants will help out the German students [with language questions that they may have]."
Michael (German major): "As an aspiring German student, Stammtisch provides me - to an extent - with an opportunity to practice and be in a German-speaking environment. In order to learn German or any foreign language, practice and repetition are important."
GERMAN HONORARY SOCIETY
Students with a 3.5 GPA (or higher) in German and a 3.0 GPA (or higher) overall are encouraged to apply for membership in the Delta Phi Alpha German Honor Society. Applicants have completed at least three courses above the language requirement with an A- or higher. Students may be enrolled in the third course at the time when they apply. Contact Christian Weber (cweber@fsu.edu) for an application and further details.