German courses at COD provide students with the foundation they need to learn the culture, speak fluently, increase knowledge and enhance job opportunities.
Students can choose to earn an Associate in Arts and follow the German Transfer Pathway or take German courses to meet general education requirements.
COD offers German courses in a traditional and online format to meet the needs of its diverse student population:
- Traditional: Classes meet weekly and students have the opportunity to interact with an instructor and their peers.
- Online: Internet-based courses offer independent study and flexible learning. Classes are offered online with instructor and student web camera meetings.
Students will take German courses in civilization and culture, elementary and intermediate German, and conversation and composition.
Studying German also offers the opportunity to live and study abroad in Berlin, Germany.
Determine Your Path
Become familiar with German culture and language to increase your job prospects.
College of DuPage offers a world of educational opportunities in your own backyard. At COD, you'll find:
- Dedicated instructors with years of professional experience.
- Instruction utilizing our state-of-the-art facilities.
- Affordable courses to help you achieve success without creating overwhelming debt or draining your savings account.
- Small class sizes to ensure you receive personalized attention.
German Transfer Pathway, A.A.
What is a Transfer Pathway?
A transfer pathway represents a typical course schedule/sequence for a student planning to complete the A.A. degree within two years, then transfer and major in a specific discipline. A transfer pathway is not institution-specific.
It is important to understand that the pathway provided in the adjacent tab is just one possible combination of classes by which to complete an A.A. and prepare for transfer in your chosen area of study. Other course combinations and sequences can work, too. It is strongly recommended that students work directly and frequently with a COD academic counselor/advisor, a COD faculty advisor, and academic counselors/advisors at potential transfer schools, to develop and execute a plan that works best for them.
The study of German offers many benefits including:
- Widely Spoken Language
German is the most widely spoken language in Europe. More people speak German as their native language than any other language. With a population of 83 million, Germany is the most populous European nation. German is the third most popular world language taught worldwide and the second most popular in Europe and Japan after English. - Business Opportunities
The German language has the 4th highest number of job postings in the U.S.A., and the U.S. jobs requiring German proficiency pay more than those for any other language. - Science and Research
German is the 2nd most commonly used scientific language. Germany is the 3rd largest contributor to research and development and offers research fellowships to scientists abroad. Germany leads the world in environmental awareness and application. - World Leaders
Germany offers many fellowships and internship opportunities to foreigners. Many leading U.S. universities offer internship opportunities with partnering German engineering firms. - Communication
Germany maintains a dominant Internet presence with over eight million Internet domains. Multilingual communicators are required for developments in media, information and communication technology. - Culture
German is the language of famous authors, musicians and artists: Goethe, Schiller, Kafka, Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Dürer and Franz Marc. Some of the most revered filmmakers of the 20th century come from the German-speaking world: Fritz Lang, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Wim Wenders and Volker Schlöndorff. - Academic Performance
German enhances academic performance. Students who study German perform better on standardized tests because so much of the English language stems from German.
Get Started Today
The first step to getting started in the German Languages program is to apply for admission.
Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree or certificate that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.
Students who complete courses in any of the Foreign Languages disciplines will:
- Communicate effectively in more than one language in order to function in a variety of situations and for multiple purposes
- Interact with cultural competence and understanding
- Connect with other disciplines and acquire information and diverse perspectives in order to use the language to function in academic and career-related situations
- Develop insight into the nature of language and culture in order to interact with cultural competence
- Communicate and interact with cultural competence in order to participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world
College of DuPage partners with several four-year institutions to help students seamlessly complete a bachelor’s degree in languages. Students can connect with Transfer Services for personalized guidance on transfer opportunities.
For more information about Transfer Pathways, visit the College of DuPage Catalog. The pathway outlines a typical two-year course plan for completing an AA or AS degree before transferring to a four-year program. Course requirements vary by institution, so consult your faculty or academic advisor for specific guidance.
Articulation Agreements
College of DuPage maintains transfer agreements with many colleges and universities to ensure a smooth transition toward a bachelor’s degree. These agreements often include a defined course sequence. Students should regularly meet with a faculty member or the Counseling and Advising office to stay on track.- Elmhurst University. AA to BA in French
- Elmhurst University, AA to BA in German
- Elmhurst University, AA to BA in Spanish
- Northern Illinois University, AA to BA in World Languages and Cultures
- Temple University- Japan Campus, affiliation agreement
Transfer Guides
Beyond articulation agreements and guaranteed admission programs, College of DuPage courses transfer to many other institutions. Transfer Guides help students select COD courses that meet prerequisites for specific majors and include details such as contact information, major requirements, general education requirements, and transfer policies.- Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, AA to BA East Asian Language and Culture (LCIS)
- Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, AA to BA Languages, Cultures, and International Studies (LCIS) French
- Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, AA to BA Languages, Cultures, and International Studies (LCIS) German
- Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, AA to BA East Asian Language and Culture (LCIS)
- Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, AA to BA Languages, Cultures, and International Studies (LCIS) Spanish
Career Information
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