German and Engineering Dual Degree
Earn bachelor degrees in Engineering and German simultaneously in this five-year International Engineering Program designed for students with or without a background in German. Along with courses in German and Engineering, you'll have a paid internship at a U.S. company, and spend your fourth year abroad studying in Germany and working in a paid internship in a German-speaking country.
Why Study German and Engineering at St. Thomas
Engineers with language skills, international experience, and intercultural competence are in high demand. Graduates with German language and culture skills earn higher salaries* and gain entry in leadership positions**. These global skills make graduates more marketable to companies looking to expand into the global market.
Study abroad is a key element of this program, giving you a chance to see more of the world. In addition, this planned 5-year program includes two paid internships, one in the U.S. and one in a German-speaking country, giving you two very different experiences and perspectives.
* Lifehack, "5 Foreign Languages That Will Make You The Most Money"
** Money, "Want to Boost Your Salary? Try Learning German"
Become a Global Engineer: Program Overview
Course Requirements
Students earning the dual degrees in Engineering and German will complete the St. Thomas Core Curriculum requirements along with courses in German and Engineering.
The German and Engineering Dual Degree Program is designed for students with no background in German.
- Students begin with GERM 111 and GERM 112 during their first year.
- Transfer students, or students interested in joining the German & Engineering Dual Degree Program during their sophomore year, can easily catch up by taking Elementary German I and II during a J-Term or summer session.
- Students with a background in German should contact Dr. Susanne M. Wagner to discuss options and take the language placement test.
Five-Year Plan
This five-year German & Engineering dual degree program allows you to earn two degrees simultaneously: a B.S. in an engineering discipline and a B.A. in German. Students in this program will study one semester at a partner university in Germany followed by a semester-long paid internship in Germany.
- Year 1 = German, Engineering, and Core Curriculum courses
- Year 2 = German, Engineering, and Core Curriculum courses
- Year 3 = Paid internship in the U.S., along with German, Engineering, and Core Curriculum courses
- Year 4 = Study abroad with courses in German and Engineering (and Language/cultural immersion), and a paid internship in a German-speaking country
- Year 5 = Senior Design Clinic, as well as German and Engineering courses
The specific plan of study depends on the Engineering degree being sought - see "Degrees Awarded" for additional details.
Degrees Awarded
Dual degrees in this five-year program include:
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and B.A. in German
- Plan of Study for Mechanical Engineering and German (PDF)
- About the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
- About the Bachelor of Arts in German
B.S. in Electrical Engineering and B.A. in German
- Plan of Study for Electrical Engineering and German (PDF)
- About the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
- About the Bachelor of Arts in German
B.S. in Civil Engineering and B.A. in German
- Plan of Study for Civil Engineering and German (PDF)
- About the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
- About the Bachelor of Arts in German
B.S. in Computer Engineering and B.A. in German
Year in Germany
TU Darmstadt is our partner university in Germany, where you will spend your first semester of Year 4. The university offers engineering classes that can be taken in English, and being there gives you a chance to get more comfortable interacting in German.
In your second semester you will work at a paid internship in a German-speaking country.
Keep in mind the German economy is the motor of Europe. Made in Germany is a powerful trademark and traditionally Germany has led engineering fields with companies such as Audi, BASF, Bayer, BMW, Bosch, Carl Zeiss, Mercedes-Benz, Merck, Porsche, SICK, Siemens, SAP and Volkswagen to name a few. In addition, Germany is a leader in green and renewable energy. German companies are also investing in the United States and Minnesota, in fact there are more than 25 German companies in Minnesota (PDF).
Contact Us with Questions
Have more questions? Please contact us - we'd love to hear from you!
- Dr. Deb Besser; Associate Dean - School of Engineering
- Dr. Susanne M. Wagner; Director of German Program and International Engineering Program - College of Arts and Sciences
You may also want to download the PDF brochure about the German-Engineering Dual Degree program.
This program is jointly sponsored by the School of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences.
Course Requirements
Course Requirements
Students earning the dual degrees in Engineering and German will complete the St. Thomas Core Curriculum requirements along with courses in German and Engineering.
The German and Engineering Dual Degree Program is designed for students with no background in German.
- Students begin with GERM 111 and GERM 112 during their first year.
- Transfer students, or students interested in joining the German & Engineering Dual Degree Program during their sophomore year, can easily catch up by taking Elementary German I and II during a J-Term or summer session.
- Students with a background in German should contact Dr. Susanne M. Wagner to discuss options and take the language placement test.
Five-Year Plan
Five-Year Plan
This five-year German & Engineering dual degree program allows you to earn two degrees simultaneously: a B.S. in an engineering discipline and a B.A. in German. Students in this program will study one semester at a partner university in Germany followed by a semester-long paid internship in Germany.
- Year 1 = German, Engineering, and Core Curriculum courses
- Year 2 = German, Engineering, and Core Curriculum courses
- Year 3 = Paid internship in the U.S., along with German, Engineering, and Core Curriculum courses
- Year 4 = Study abroad with courses in German and Engineering (and Language/cultural immersion), and a paid internship in a German-speaking country
- Year 5 = Senior Design Clinic, as well as German and Engineering courses
The specific plan of study depends on the Engineering degree being sought - see "Degrees Awarded" for additional details.
Degrees Awarded
Degrees Awarded
Dual degrees in this five-year program include:
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and B.A. in German
- Plan of Study for Mechanical Engineering and German (PDF)
- About the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
- About the Bachelor of Arts in German
B.S. in Electrical Engineering and B.A. in German
- Plan of Study for Electrical Engineering and German (PDF)
- About the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
- About the Bachelor of Arts in German
B.S. in Civil Engineering and B.A. in German
- Plan of Study for Civil Engineering and German (PDF)
- About the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
- About the Bachelor of Arts in German
B.S. in Computer Engineering and B.A. in German
Year in Germany
Year in Germany
TU Darmstadt is our partner university in Germany, where you will spend your first semester of Year 4. The university offers engineering classes that can be taken in English, and being there gives you a chance to get more comfortable interacting in German.
In your second semester you will work at a paid internship in a German-speaking country.
Keep in mind the German economy is the motor of Europe. Made in Germany is a powerful trademark and traditionally Germany has led engineering fields with companies such as Audi, BASF, Bayer, BMW, Bosch, Carl Zeiss, Mercedes-Benz, Merck, Porsche, SICK, Siemens, SAP and Volkswagen to name a few. In addition, Germany is a leader in green and renewable energy. German companies are also investing in the United States and Minnesota, in fact there are more than 25 German companies in Minnesota (PDF).
Contact Us with Questions
Contact Us with Questions
Have more questions? Please contact us - we'd love to hear from you!
- Dr. Deb Besser; Associate Dean - School of Engineering
- Dr. Susanne M. Wagner; Director of German Program and International Engineering Program - College of Arts and Sciences
You may also want to download the PDF brochure about the German-Engineering Dual Degree program.
This program is jointly sponsored by the School of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences.
Career Paths
Combining engineering with the knowledge of German and intercultural competence through a year abroad helps prepare you for a variety of meaningful careers, including:
- International Engineer
- Translating and Interpreting
- Technology
- International Business
- Graduate School
- Education
Soar to New Heights
Combining Engineering with the knowledge of German and intercultural competence through the year abroad, prepares graduates for meaningful careers in a globally minded and diverse world.
Faculty With Real Experience
Dr. Deb Besser
Dr. Besser is the Associate Dean in the School of Engineering and has a broad background in engineering education. Her research focuses on engineering education including inclusive pedagogy, sustainability, and intercultural learning in engineering education. Prior to her academic career, she was a design engineer with HNTB Corporation, and she is active in ASCE, ABET and ASEE.
Dr. Susanne Wagner
Dr. Wagner is the director of the German and international engineering programs and a cultural and literary historian focusing on 19th/20st century Germany with a research emphasis on resistance literature. Besides regularly presenting at regional and national conferences, she has published on resistance literature and drama pedagogy. Susanne also advises the German Club, Ballroom Club and German National Honor Society.
Take the Next Step
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.