Wartburg College

What you'll study

The programme blends progressive German language courses with examinations of Germanic literatures and foundational courses in linguistics. Students build from elementary and intermediate language study to advanced conversation, composition and literature, while parallel coursework introduces phonetics, morphology, syntax and sociolinguistics. The curriculum emphasises communicative competence, cultural literacy and critical analysis of texts across historical periods.

• Language sequence: elementary, intermediate and advanced German language; conversation and composition; oral proficiency development and advanced grammar.
• Literature and culture: surveys of German literature, modern and contemporary texts, film and media of the German-speaking world, and cultural studies including history and politics.
• Linguistics core: introduction to linguistics, phonetics and phonology, morphology and syntax, sociolinguistics, historical/comparative Germanic linguistics and language acquisition.
• Applied strands: translation and interpreting practice, language pedagogy for future teachers, and technology in language learning (corpus use, digital resources).
• Capstone and electives: senior seminar or capstone project that integrates language, literature and linguistic analysis; electives may include topics such as dialectology, topical literature courses, or a practicum in teaching or community translation.
• Experiential learning: study abroad in a German-speaking country, internships with local businesses or cultural organisations, and undergraduate research under faculty supervision.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a high school diploma or recognised secondary school credential and demonstrate an academic record showing readiness for university-level study. While prior study of German is an advantage, beginners with strong language aptitude are normally welcome. Admission decisions consider overall academic performance, recommendations and a personal statement indicating interest in languages, literature or linguistics.

International applicants must satisfy the college's general requirements for English proficiency; placement in the appropriate language level is determined by departmental placement testing. Continuing students can receive credit for prior study through placement exams, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or transfer credit where applicable.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with high-level communication skills, analytical training and intercultural competence that transfer across many sectors. Common career paths include:

• Secondary and post-secondary teaching (often following teacher certification or graduate study)
• Translation, interpretation and localisation work for public, private and non-profit organisations
• International business, diplomacy and roles in NGOs that require language and cultural fluency
• Publishing, journalism, editing and content development with a focus on multilingual audiences
• Language technology and applied linguistics roles, including corpus work, language assessment and instructional design
• Further academic study in linguistics, literary studies, cultural studies or education

Why study at Wartburg College

Wartburg College offers a liberal arts environment with small class sizes and close faculty mentorship that benefit language and humanities students. The department places emphasis on active language use, opportunities for study abroad in German-speaking countries, and practical experience through internships and community partnerships. Students can pursue interdisciplinary combinations across the liberal arts, participate in undergraduate research, and access resources such as language labs and conversation groups to accelerate proficiency. For those aiming to teach, the college provides pathways to prepare for teacher licensure in relevant jurisdictions alongside the major.