Susquehanna University

What you'll study

The programme combines progressive German language instruction with courses in literature, cultural studies and core areas of linguistics. Beginning and intermediate language classes emphasise speaking, listening, reading and writing; upper-level seminars address German and Austrian literature, film, intellectual history and contemporary cultural topics. Linguistics offerings cover areas such as phonetics and phonology, morphology and syntax, semantics, sociolinguistics and historical linguistics with particular attention to Germanic languages.

• Language sequence: multi-level German courses that move students from basic communicative competence to advanced proficiency and specialised registers (academic, professional, literary).
• Literature and culture: surveys and seminars on medieval to modern German literature, film studies, cultural history and topics such as migration, identity and media.
• Linguistics: foundational courses in descriptive and theoretical linguistics plus specialised modules in phonetics, syntax, sociolinguistics, historical Germanic linguistics and language acquisition.
• Applied work: courses in translation, language pedagogy, corpus methods, and research methods that prepare students for practical and academic applications.
• Capstone experience: a senior seminar, independent research project or practicum which integrates language, literary and linguistic approaches.
• Experiential learning: study-abroad opportunities in German-speaking countries, internships with community organisations, and departmental events such as guest lectures and language tables.

Entry requirements

Admission to Susquehanna University follows the institution's general undergraduate entry process. Applicants for this programme are expected to demonstrate a strong academic record in secondary school studies. Previous study of a foreign language is helpful but not required; beginners can normally enter the language sequence at the appropriate level after placement testing. International applicants should present recognised secondary school completion credentials and evidence of English proficiency where applicable.

• Completed secondary school qualifications or recognised equivalent.
• Competitive academic performance in a broad liberal-arts curriculum — universities look for strength in humanities and writing.
• Placement testing in German determines the appropriate starting course for applicants with prior language study.
• Standard application materials such as a personal statement and at least one academic reference; standardised test requirements may vary according to university policy.

Career prospects

Graduates with a degree in Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics develop transferable skills in communication, critical analysis, research and cultural literacy. These are valuable in a wide range of careers.

• Education: secondary or postsecondary language teaching (often combined with teacher certification), curriculum development and educational outreach.
• Translation and interpreting: freelance or institutional work for publishing, legal, medical and government sectors.
• International business and diplomacy: roles in international relations, NGOs, cultural institutions and multinational firms that value language competence and cultural knowledge.
• Media and publishing: editing, writing, content localisation and cultural programming.
• Language technology and lexicography: opportunities in corpus work, computational linguistics, localisation and user-experience research.
• Further study: graduate programmes in linguistics, literature, translation studies, international studies or law.

Why study at Susquehanna University

Susquehanna is a small liberal arts university with an emphasis on close faculty mentoring and an immersive curricular experience. Students in the Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programme benefit from small seminars, regular oral practice opportunities, and access to faculty with expertise in German literature, culture and language structure. The university encourages study-abroad and internship placements, enabling students to deepen language skills in authentic contexts and to gain professional experience.

Departments are interwoven with campus life through language tables, cultural events and partnerships with regional organisations, giving students both classroom and community-based avenues to apply their learning. The combination of liberal-arts breadth and focused language training prepares graduates for flexible careers and advanced study.