Introduction to the Major
The German(link is external) 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
Additional Options
- Already have an intended major? Consider adding German as a second major(link is external) or minor(link is external).
- 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(link is external).
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Apply for a FLAS award(link is external) to support your language study.
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Immerse yourself in German language and culture with study abroad(link is external).
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Enroll in the GERMAN 113 Capstone Project(link is external) and work with a faculty member to synthesize what you have learned in the major.
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(link is external) of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House(link is external) in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation(link is external) program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit german.berkeley.edu(link is external) for news and updates.
Advising
Students can reach the Undergraduate Advisor in 5311 Dwinelle Hall or at germanic@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail).
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.
