Why study German Studies?

German is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the language, culture, history, politics and literature of Germany and other German-speaking countries, as well as their influence on other cultures in Europe and beyond. The Department of German Studies at UC specializes in contemporary Germany, which boasts one of the world's most powerful economies and holds a central leadership role within the European Union. We believe, however, that today's Germany cannot be understood without reference to German history. Therefore, we offer courses that range from the Middle Ages to the 21st century and deal with a wide variety of topics and texts. We also place a great deal of emphasis on the impact that German culture has had on Cincinnati and consider German-American studies to be a vital component of our program.
Through academic course work, participation in study-abroad programs and interaction with outstanding faculty and visiting lecturers from around the world, German majors and minors have the opportunity to broaden their horizons and develop skills that will enrich their lives and enable them to contribute to greater global awareness when they assume roles in careers and society.

Career Possibilities

Students with a BA in German studies often pursue teaching careers, either in secondary education or in colleges and universities, following completion of graduate studies in the field. Many go on to professional schools, such as law and medicine. Other graduates become interpreters, translators and researchers or establish careers in the business world. Through careful planning, students can major in two fields and thus gain a greater breadth in their studies. German studies majors have gone on to become:

• Anthropologist
• Foreign correspondent
• Exchange trader
• Foreign service officer
• Social worker
• International account manager
• Interpreter
• National security agent
• Teacher
• Translator

Minoring in German Studies

German Studies Minor

• GRMN 2002 (5 credits): Second Year German 2
• GRMN 3001-3002 (6 credits): Introduction to German Studies 1 & 2

The remaining nine credits may be earned by taking any courses the department offers aside from the required courses and the basic language courses. This choice of electives includes our study-abroad offerings. We also offer special options for students in other colleges, such as engineering, business, DAAP and CCM, who wish to pursue a minor in German studies and whose programs include co-op or other experience in a German-speaking country.

German-American Studies Certificate
Students pursuing a degree at the university may also earn a certificate in German-American studies, which requires introductory courses on the German-American experience and German culture as well as an extensive independent project.

Major Maps

• Guide: GERMAN STUDIES (BA) CURRICULUM

UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

Students in the UC College of Arts and Sciences enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. UC's urban, Tristate location offers exciting opportunities for global education, research and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, a nationally recognized Center for Exploratory Studies and a highly successful First Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.

Special Programs

The German studies program at UC provides students with a solid background in the German language and all aspects of German, Austrian and Swiss culture. We have special strengths in film studies, German-American studies and contemporary German literature and culture. We have strong study-abroad programs in Germany and work closely with other programs, such as European Studies and the international co-op program. We work with our majors and minors to customize their course of study to their needs and goals.

Study Abroad
The Munich program is a five-week, intensive-immersion language and culture course during the summer. There are three hours of intensive language instruction each day, Monday through Friday, plus a daily program of conversation classes conducted while visiting cultural and historical sites in and around Munich, and weekend excursions, all under the direction of a professor from UC's Department of German Studies. The Munich program may be used to satisfy some core requirements for the German major and minor; see the undergraduate director for details.

The summer field trip to Berlin is an interdisciplinary course taught in English for undergraduate students from across the University of Cincinnati. The variety in the background and interests of the participants assures the vitality of the experience, one focused on Berlin’s material culture, past, present and future. Students finish the course with an individual project completed in the autumn semester.

The 4+1 Master's Degree Program
Students complete all of the requirements for the German major, which includes the Survey of German Literature sequence typically required of first-year MA students. During their fourth (senior) year, students will be permitted to enroll in graduate courses. They can then complete the credit and course requirements for the MA in just one additional year with a standard full-time graduate course load.

More information is available on the German Studies website.

Admission Requirements

Freshmen applicants, please visit the Admission Requirements page for more information.

Transferring to UC Requirements

Admission to A&S is generally available for any off-campus student who was admissible directly from high school and has a cumulative 2.0 GPA and a 2.0 in the most recent institution.

Students who were not admissible directly from high school must have:

• 24 semester (36 quarter) hours earned
• at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA and a 2.0 at most recent institution

Transfer students should apply using our transfer student online application

University transfer scholarships are available to those who meet specific requirements and ANY admitted A&S transfer student might qualify for an A&S transfer scholarship. Deadlines and eligibility criteria are online via the previous links.

For any inquiries please contact us at artsci@ucmail.uc.edu

Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Admission to A&S is generally available for University of Cincinnati students enrolled in other colleges if they were admissible directly from high school, have a cumulative 2.0 GPA and a 2.0 in their most recent UC college.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the UC College of Arts and Sciences, students must:

• Earn at least 120 credits. This can include transfer credit, AP credit and free electives, but does not include preparatory coursework. Students who have met all other degree requirements must continue earning credit until the total number of their earned hours comes to at least 120.
• Attain a 2.0 grade point average for all courses taken at the University of Cincinnati.
• Be in good academic standing, that is, not on either academic probation or disciplinary probation or suspension.
• Complete the residency requirement by earning at least 30 credits after matriculating into the university.
• Complete all of the requirements of at least one major (see major requirements above).
• Complete the College Core Requirements.
• Submit an application for graduation to the registrar's office by their posted deadline.

Application Deadlines

While midyear admission is possible, fall semester is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin in that semester. Applicants to the UC College of Arts and Sciences who are enrolled or who were previously enrolled as degree-seeking students in A&S or in other UC colleges should apply for admission directly to A&S (in French West, 2nd Floor). All other applicants who wish to earn an undergraduate degree from A&S should apply through the Office of Admissions (3rd Floor, University Pavilion).

Accreditation