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College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department of World Languages and Cultures

German Studies

Whether you choose to focus solely on German Studies or combine it with another major, you can build a solid career in practically any field.

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Program Overview

Perhaps you admire the culture. Or the country. Or the way the language sounds. Fair enough. But when it comes to your career, you need to choose a major that will help you get where you need to be. Luckily, German Studies fits the bill and can lead to careers in:

  • Foreign trade in Germany, Austria or Switzerland.
  • International organizations.
  • International travel.
  • International education.
  • Journalism, marketing or media relations across the globe.
German courses

Major Options

  • German Studies: A stand-alone degree focusing specifically on cultural studies
  • German Education: This degree offers a customized track for future teachers.
  • International Economics: A degree requiring five economics courses and two German business courses to help you specialize in the field
  • Science and Technology: A degree where you study German alongside a major in the sciences, engineering or other field outside the humanities and social sciences.

Minor in German

When you supplement your degree with a foreign language such as German, you’re telling future employers that you can navigate other countries and cultures in addition to your own; you’ve widened the playing field.

To earn a German minor, you must complete 15 credit hours.

Minor requirements

Meet German Studies Alumni

Get to know alumni of the German Studies program from recent years. Explore their academic journeys and where their studies led them, on campus and abroad.

Take a look

Academic Advising

Connect with your advisor, register for classes and explore new opportunities.

Add or Change Majors and Minors

Are you interested in adding a second major, a minor or changing your degree? We can help.

Why German Studies?

Why German? For one thing, it’s the most widely spoken language in Europe, which means you’ll be in a position to easily navigate the European market. And since Germany is known for its powerhouse economy and innovative spirit, speaking the language and understanding the culture opens the door to your future just a little wider.

Study Abroad

At NC State’s German Studies program, we believe you don’t know it until you’ve lived it. That’s why we strongly support study abroad programs, where students have the opportunity to live, study and even work overseas. It’s total immersion at its best. And it’s an experience that will change your life.

Options include NC State’s German Language and Culture in Vienna program in Austria. Students can also consider the Baden-Württemberg Semester Exchange Program.

Explore programs

Societies, Clubs and Culture

As a German Studies student, you’ll discover that some of the best lessons are learned outside the classroom. We give you plenty of opportunities to explore every aspect of German culture – from coffee meet-ups to academic clubs.

Internships

Doing an internship in a German-speaking country usually requires excellent, advanced German language skills. For your internship to fulfill the German Studies major study abroad requirement, it needs to be at least three months long. A shorter internship may count for some credits but will have to be in addition to study abroad. Contact the section coordinator for more information.

Internships in German-Speaking Countries

  1. Cultural Vistas
  2. Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals
  3. US Commercial Service Germany
  4. Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Abroad Program 
  5. Austrian Fulbright 
  6. German American Chamber of Commerce
  7. Intern Abroad in Germany
  8. Google “German internship” 
  9. Check out other NC State resources to assist in your search
  10. Find your own – we will help: Some of our students have been successful finding their own internship opportunities, e.g. by contacting German professionals in the fields in which they would like to work. Having a second major and/or some work experience in those fields was probably helpful. However, work experience in a certain field from summer jobs may also be useful. For ideas and help especially for your particular situation talk to your German Studies Major adviser.
    Three successful NC State applicants: working for a German veterinarian near Stuttgart; working for an architectural firm in Stuttgart; and working in a dentist’s office in Munich.

Summer Research Internships in Germany

  1. RISE – Research Internship in Science and Engineering
  2. UROP – Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme of RWTH Aachen University

German-Related Internships in the United States

  1. German Historical Institute in Washington, D.C.
  2. AICGS – American Institute for Contemporary German Studies in Washington, D.C.
  3. Goethe-Institut in Washington, D.C.
  4. The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, Washington D.C.
  5. NC State Career Development Center Internship and Job Search

Contact us

German Studies Coordinator

Dr. James Brown

jhbrown3@ncsu.edu

German Studies Faculty

See a listing of NC State’s German Studies faculty.

Take a look