German Studies

As a general rule of thumb, the German Studies program recommends the following for students who wish to study off campus.

• Ideally students should take as much German as possible before studying abroad.  Students who wish to take their courses in German need at a minimum to have successfully completed German courses through GERM 206 Intermediate German to qualify for the programs.
• Discuss your graduation plan fully with your German Studies major adviser in your second year if you plan to study abroad.
• Note to Heritage speakers of German and students with a strong background in German: Program admission applications will require at least one graded German course on your Whitman transcript at the time of application.

Which requirements can German Studies majors fulfill while off campus?

• Elective major credit in consultation with your German Studies major adviser
• General Studies distribution credit
• General degree credit

Major Credit Limitations

• The maximum number of credits that can be applied to the German Studies major from off campus studies (including AP credit, IB credit and credits from other U.S. institutions) is 12 credits with the approval of your major adviser.

Minor Credit Limitations

• A minimum of three-fifths of the specific course and credit requirements for the minor must be completed in the on-campus program of the college.

What are the types of OCS programs recommended by the German Studies program?

• Studying at a center for U.S. students with German faculty and/or direct enrollment in a foreign university with local students
  Note: Whether or not a student can enroll in courses at a university in Germany depends on the student’s German level and study abroad term. Students studying abroad for only the fall semester must study at a center rather than directly enroll at a university because the fall semester calendar in Europe conflicts with Whitman’s spring semester dates.
• Programs that offer an opportunity for an internship embedded in an academic course as part of a program

Which Partner Programs are recommended by the German Studies program?

• IES: Berlin Language and Area Studies (Germany)
• IES: Freiburg Language and Area Studies (Germany)
• Year of Study in Munich (Germany)

Students interested in Off-Campus Studies should attend an OCS First Step meeting in the fall of their second year, discuss their interests with their major adviser, and schedule an appointment with an OCS adviser.