Students planning to obtain certification for secondary-school teaching in German must take a minimum of 24 credit hours in German at the 200, 300 and 400 levels. The following courses are required: GER-251 and 252; 313 or 314; 328 and at least two 300- or 400-level courses. In addition to the course requirements, students are required to pass a qualifying examination before they will be admitted to candidacy for certification and a competency examination before being certified.

These tests will examine students’ linguistic competence, orally and in writing, testing phonetics, conversation, grammar and composition. The exit exam will also check their knowledge of German literature and culture, including the arts, history and geography. Students and their advisers should consult the Ursinus College Education Department. Language majors and students preparing for certification are required to supplement their work at Ursinus by spending a summer, a semester or an entire year in an academic program in a German-speaking country approved by the department.