German

Tech Center, Room 358
(605) 626-2601

Foreign Language Office
Tech Center, Room 261
(605) 626-2404

Dr. Virginia Lewis

For historical, cultural, linguistic, and economic reasons, German is a particularly useful language for Americans. It is one of the three most widely studied languages in the world, it is a medium of communication for travelers, and it is an important research tool for scientists, scholars, genealogists, and others. Knowledge of German can also be a valuable career asset, especially when combined with additional education for careers in government, the sciences, the armed forces, travel and tourism, the media, and, increasingly, international business.

The German major is offered in cooperation with the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University. Most courses above the level of German 312 are taught as shared courses by faculty from all three universities by means of distance-learning technology. There is currently a shortage of German teachers in the midwest.

All students of German are encouraged to study at a university in a German-speaking country for at least one semester. Northern State University has exchange agreements with universities in Magdeburg, Lüneburg, and Schmalkaklen, Germany, which enable students to study there for little more than the cost of studying at NSU. Hochschule Magdeburg has also offered our lower-level students the opportunity to participate in a very inexpensive, four-week, intensive German course offered in the summer. Our students may also participate in exchange programs provided by the University of South Dakota at German universities in Oldenburg and Jena.

A student entering NSU with modern language background in high school, may enter at a higher level – using the criteria of 1 year high school equals 1 semester at NSU. If a C or higher is earned in a course, the student may receive credit for previous courses up through 202 for the nominal fee of $7.50 per credit. The student would need to make the request in the Registrar’s office, complete the form and pay at the finance office.

Career Directions

Translating and interpreting
International business
The tourist industry
Journalism
Library science
Publishing
Theology
The diplomatic service
The foreign service
The Military
Graduate Study (e.g. archaeology, art history, languages, law, library science, linguistics, music, philosophy,
and religious studies)

German

Career Directions

Programs