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German Studies

Welcome to German Studies! We offer German language instruction at the elementary and intermediate levels, as well as advanced courses in German-language literature, culture, and film.

Explore German Studies

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Degrees in German Studies

Undergraduate students can pursue a B.A. or Minor in German Studies or a double degree in Engineering and German.

German Studies Undergraduate Program
Quicklinks German Studies MajorEngineering and German Studies Double Degree ProgramGerman Language, Literature and Culture Minor

Graduate Programs

Graduate Degrees in Germanic Studies

Our program offers each student the opportunity to shape an individualized course of study, working closely with faculty whose expertise includes German literature and culture from the 18th through 21st centuries, film studies, gender studies, and ecocriticism. 

German Language and Literature Graduate Program
Quicklinks German Language and Literature Ph.D.German Language and Literature M.A.

Special Programs

Special Programs

Discover the German Education Abroad program and German Cluster in the Language House. 

Quicklinks German Education AbroadGerman Cluster

People

People

Learn more about Germanic Studies program faculty and graduate students.

German Studies Faculty & Graduate Students
Quicklinks SLLC Directory

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Our curriculum also includes English-language courses focusing on the cultures of the German-speaking world, including popular classes on Grimms’ Fairy Tales, German Cinema, and Germany and the Environment.

Faculty expertise includes German literature and culture from the 18th through the 21st centuries, environmental humanities, film studies, gender studies, postcolonial studies, and digital humanities. We strongly encourage our students to study abroad at one of our partner universities through a semester- or year-long program in Berlin, Tübingen, or Lüneburg. Our students participate in a wide-range of programs and activities sponsored by the Department, including the German Club, the National Honorary Society Delta Phi Alpha, and events sponsored by the German Cluster of the Language House. Many of our graduates go on to win prestigious fellowships through organizations such as Fulbright, DAAD, and the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals.

Beyond the Classroom

German Education Abroad

Explore opportunities to study abroad in a German-speaking country in a semester, year, or short-term program.

Learn more about study abroad

Language House Living & Learning Program

The German Cluster offers students a unique, immersive living and learning environment in German just steps from Jiménez Hall.

Explore the Language House

Alumni Career Paths

Jason Wong ‘13 Assistant Professor of Economics, Babson College

“I cannot say enough about what a great decision it was to be in German Studies at UMD. It really opened my eyes and now professionally to many new opportunities. […] As I continued with my academic trajectory as an environmental, urban, and development economist, I always kept Germany close to my heart in my teaching. […] I am excited to be able to teach my Germany Sustainability course again next year.”

Lauren Fedewa ‘15 Doctoral Candidate History and Jewish Studies, University of Toronto

“Studying German at the University of Maryland gave me a foundation in the German language that I continue to utilize in my career as a Phd candidate in History and Jewish Studies at the University of Toronto. German is the primary research language for my doctoral dissertation on the Holocaust and World War II. I have the ability to read and analyze German sources, conduct research in German archives, and engage with the German academic community.” 

Anna Yuwen ‘13 Communications and Project Manager, Research Center for Molecular Medicine Vienna, Austria

“Speaking and writing in a different language is a process of self discovery. In addition to gaining new insights about the world around you, you also gain a more holistic understanding of yourself: how you are conditioned to think, how you perceive, and how you react to things around you. The German Studies program at UMD introduced me to not only a new language and cultural history, but a new sense of self.”

Sean Zehmer ‘11 Senior Attorney, Hausfeld LLP, Washington, D.C.

“My role as an attorney requires me to explain complex legal concepts, which can feel like speaking in a foreign language. The German Studies program at UMD prepared me well to have a strong command of language and reading comprehension that I use every day.”

Emily Lempka ‘20 Digital Content Specialist, George Washington University Law Library

“I thoroughly enjoyed the UMD German program.  While my jobs after graduation have not been specifically German-related, I’ve been surprised by all the different places the ability to speak German has been useful, such as the summer I worked at an aquarium, or my office job during grad school.  Being able to speak German has allowed me to connect with customers and colleagues on a deeper level, and sparked interesting conversations I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

Kit Rober ‘20 Academic Program Specialist, English Undergraduate Studies, University of Maryland

“Studying German language and culture has helped me develop skills to view situations from a different perspective, and to be more open to how other people view and interact with the world around them. It has been extremely helpful when working in a people-focused position. It makes it easier to try and understand where someone else is coming from, and how I can best assist them and meet them where they are.”

Austin Bourgerie ‘18 Senior Software Engineer, Foundation Medicine

“Studying German language, culture, and history at UMD gave me a humanities perspective that is uncommon in the field of software engineering. This background empowers me to build technology with a global worldview, serving a global good. I am forever grateful for the balance and insight that my time in the German Studies program continues to provide.”

News View All News

German Studies, School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Regina Haag Receives PTK Faculty Excellence in Service Award
German Studies

Outstanding German Studies Minor Award Recipient
German Studies

Outstanding 1st-Year German Studies Student Award Recipient
German Studies

Outstanding 3rd-Year German Studies Student Award Recipient
German Studies

Outstanding 2nd-Year German Studies Student Award Recipient
German Studies

2025 AnneGerald E. and Martha M. Kightlinger Family Student Support Current-Use Fund for German Studies Recipient: Lucian Jessel

German Studies

2025 Anneliese and Alfred Strauch Scholarship Recipient: Thalia Stewart
Arabic, Chinese, Cinema and Media Studies, French, German Studies, Japanese, Russian, School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, Spanish and Portuguese

Unlock New Skills This Summer: Explore our 2025 Course Offerings
German Studies, School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Regina Haag, New President of the DC-Metro Chapter of AATG

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Program Head

Hester Baer

School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Professor, Germanic Studies, German Studies
Affiliate Professor, The Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Affiliate Professor, Cinema and Media Studies

3207 Jiménez Hall
College Park MD, 20742

Undergraduate Program Director

Josh Alvizu

School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Assistant Professor of German Studies and the Environmental Humanities, German Studies

3225 Jiménez Hall
College Park MD, 20742

Undergraduate Program Advisor

Regina Haag

School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Associate Clinical Professor, UG Advisor, German Studies

3224 Jiménez Hall
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-4096

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