However, it is recommended that students with one or two years of high school German take a placement examination during registration week to help with proper placement. Undergraduate students preparing for graduate work in German are advised to begin study of a third language. They should also take related courses either in English or in another European literature, or both, or in philosophy or history. A bachelor's degree in German enables students to pursue careers in college and secondary teaching, international business, government and foreign service, and translation and editorial work. Graduates of the department have been especially successful in being accepted into graduate programs in German, Scandinavian, linguistics, history, and comparative literature.
Many professional schools look favorably on a student with a degree in Germanic languages.
Recent graduates of the department have had considerable success being admitted to schools of law and business.