Welcome to the German Program!

The German program at the University of Tennessee seeks to provide a command and appreciation of the language, literature and culture of German-speaking peoples. Our offerings range from the beginning language, through the B.A. and M.A. in German, to the Ph.D. in Modern Foreign Languages with German as the first concentration.

Our program offers many opportunities including a:

Stammtisch
Film and Lecture Series
Sprachwochenende
Study Abroad
Graduate Teaching Assistantships
Honor Society Membership
Scholarships for Graduates and Undergraduates

Why Study German?
Getting Ready for the World
German language study - actually any foreign language study, German included - creates more positive attitudes and lowers prejudice toward people who are different. You begin participating genuinely and responsibly in a multi-cultural world when you learn German.

Communicating
German - the language of Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Zurich, Salzburg and Vienna - has 100 million speakers spanning Europe's heartland.

Business
The European Central Bank, Swiss banks, Germany's economy (Europe's largest and the world's second-largest exporter) run on German. Germany hosts the world's leading trade fairs and counts among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, autos, machine tools, electronics, foodstuffs, beverages, ships, and textiles. UT's German program sponsors an exchange program with Mannheim that includes a German business internship.

Job Market
Knowing German improves your employment chances in East Tennessee, where Volkswagen, Wacker Chemie and Mahle Industries are currently investing over a billion dollars and creating jobs in an otherwise tight economy.

Knowledge
Eighteen percent of the world's books are published in Germany, the world's third largest book publisher.

Research
German is second only to English in scientific publications. Knowing German, you can access research findings in all areas of modern science. Forty percent of US scientists recommend that students learn German.

Cultural Enrichment
German-the language of Goethe, Nietzsche, Kant, Luther, Kafka, Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Freud and Einstein-opens the door to one of Europe's greatest cultures.

Tourism
Germans, Austrians and Swiss rank among the most numerous and important tourists. Knowing German pays off in the tourist industry.

Exploring Germany
Scores of UT students visit Germany and study there annually. Knowing German enables you to know the German people better and gain a deeper insight into their history and culture.

Scholarship Support
The German Program annually grants endowed scholarships to its best and brightest, enabling many to study abroad. Last year over 20 students received support.