Introduction to the Major
The German major provides students with the knowledge, experience, language fluency, and analytical skills necessary to incorporate German culture and German studies into the career. The major offers a large selection of courses in literature, linguistics, philosophy, psychology, history, film, and business, along with opportunities to study abroad.
Students are challenged to gain fluency in the German language, read works by major German thinkers in their original language, and venture abroad to German-speaking countries to embrace new cultures. The German undergraduate program provides students with the language fluency, cultural knowledge, academic experience, and analytical skills necessary to attend graduate school, enter the job market, and be global citizens who are culturally aware and critical thinkers
“I loved that no matter what German class I was in, the content was presented in a relevant and succinct way that somehow always connected to current events and topics.”
- Madison Erdall, class of 2019
Additional Options
- Already have an intended major? Consider adding German as a second major or minor.
- To declare the German major or minor you must successfully complete GERMAN 2.
- Students can enroll in upper division German courses taught in English while they are starting to learn the language.
- The department also offers GERMAN 1-4 during the summer.
Please contact the Undergraduate Advisor for more information.
Amplify Your Major
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Showcase your German skills through cabaret performance in GERMAN 102A.
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Apply for a FLAS award to support your language study.
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Immerse yourself in German language and culture with study abroad.
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Enroll in the GERMAN 113 Capstone Project and work with a faculty member to synthesize what you have learned in the major.
First Year
Explore Your Major
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Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
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Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements.
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Enroll in L&S 1 and an Arts & Humanities Gateway Course.
Connect and Build Community
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Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect.
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Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
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Use the resources at the Berkeley Language Center.
Discover Your Passions
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Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course.
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Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships.
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Explore the collection of Germanic scholarly resources in the department and University Library.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
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Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
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Explore study, internship, and research abroad options in Germany with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
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Develop a plan for getting career ready.
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Set up a Handshake account and sign up for CareerMail.
- Explore career fields in the Career Connections Networking Series.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
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Complete the lower division prerequisite elementary and intermediate German language course sequence and declare the major.
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Review the major guidelines for study abroad.
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Complement your major with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Connect and Build Community
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Attend social activities and events hosted by the German department.
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Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
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Practice your German in a casual environment at a Kaffeeklatsch or Stammtisch.
Discover Your Passions
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Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course.
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Assist faculty in their research through URAP.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Contribute to a community organization with an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
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Go on a service-learning trip with the Alternative Breaks Program.
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Attend a cultural event at the SF Goethe-Institute.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator.
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Shadow alumni during a winter externship.
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Learn about graduate and professional school. Check out Step-by-Step for planning help.
- Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
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Focus on upper division requirements.
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Sign up for GERMAN 102A for a performance-oriented approach to German.
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Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Ask your major advisor about the German honors program.
Connect and Build Community
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Explore resources from the Center for German and European Studies.
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Become a Golden Bear Orientation Leader and welcome new students to Berkeley.
Discover Your Passions
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Apply for a FLAS award to support your language study.
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Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF.
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Curious about entrepreneurship? Enroll in HUM120: Entrepreneurship for All.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Apply for a leadership position in your student organization.
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Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program.
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Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Learn about career fields and conduct informational interviews.
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Discuss graduate school options with advisors and professors.
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Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Attend career and graduate school fairs and the SF Goethe-Institute Career Day.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
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Synthesize what you have learned in the GERMAN 113 Capstone Project.
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Complete any “bucket list” courses you still wish to take.
- Finish remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
Connect and Build Community
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Practice your language skills while helping others learn in the SLC Language Exchange Program.
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Get support for your thesis project in the Townsend Honors Thesis Workshop.
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Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
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Teach your own DeCal course.
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Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study.
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Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
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Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
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Consider a fellowship year in Germany with CBYX.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Utilize job board tools in your job search.
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Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
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Attend Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Jobs and Employers
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Administrative, Ekso Bionics
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Administrative, Goethe Institute
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Bundestag Intern, DAAD
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Customer Service, Deutsche Bank
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DOI/VISTA, National Park Service
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Fulbright Fellow, U.S. State Dept.
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Inside Sales, Applied Spectral Imaging
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Manager, Wondfo
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Ops.s Research Analyst, Roberts Capital
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Sales & Business Dev., Oracle,
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Translator, Amazon
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Translator, Buchenwald Memorial
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Translator, Facebook
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Translator, Google
Graduate Programs
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Astronomy, Masters
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Business, MBA
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Chemistry, Masters
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Comparative Literature, PhD
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Education, PhD
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Elementary Education, Masters
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Foreign Language & Literature, MA
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German, PhD
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International Relations, Masters
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Law, Doctoral
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Linguistics, PhD
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Medicine, MD
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Public Administration, Masters
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Public Health, Masters
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Secondary School, Masters
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Social Work, Masters
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit german.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can reach the Undergraduate Advisor in 5311 Dwinelle Hall or at germanic@berkeley.edu.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
