Why learn German?

• 46 million Americans claim German ancestors, making it the largest heritage group in the United States.
• 100 million EU residents speak German as their native language, making German the most widely spoken mother tongue in Europe. Another 31 percent of EU residents speak German as a second language.
• There are 1,200 German-owned companies in the United States including: Daimler Group, T-Mobile, BASF Corp., Bayer Corp.and Trader Joe's Corp.

Courses offered

First- through fourth-year German language courses are delivered online throughout the year. In addition to the language courses, a variety of German culture courses are available throughout the year. Refer to the OSU Ecampus Schedule of Classes for current schedule information.

The Ecampus schedule of classes includes available courses for the current term and up to three future terms. Class offerings are continually updated and may be added, removed, or rescheduled without notice. Check back frequently for current information.

Students who complete first and second year German will be able to:

• Begin to read, speak, understand, and write German at a basic level.
• Begin to compare and contrast the German and English language and culture.
• Be familiar with and understand everyday expressions, introductions, and geography.
• Be able to explain some of the history and culture of German-Speaking cultures.

Learn from a well-respected university

German courses are developed and taught by Oregon State faculty within the Department of World Languages and Cultures and all course material is delivered through multimedia instruction coupled with realistic learning objectives. Students will interact with their classmates through online discussion boards and interactive content to gain competency communicating in German. Online students receive the same curriculum and transcripts as our on-campus students.

In addition to individual courses, students can also earn a B.A. or B.S. in German or an undergraduate minor in German entirely online.

Transfer your credits

All students enrolled in Oregon State Ecampus classes pay in-state tuition, making online classes affordable and flexible. It is important to note that Oregon State University runs on a quarter system. If you are transferring credits be sure to confirm the transfer policy of your home institution. Learn more about transferring credits.

Placement testing 

Already have experience with German? You can bypass entry level courses by taking a placement test. More information is available on the College of Liberal Arts website. 

Earn an in-demand microcredential in German

Taking online German classes offers the ability to enhance your language skills — and it's an opportunity to help yourself stand out in the job market. You can earn a microcredential in German online with Oregon State, and when you finish, you'll receive a digital badge that you can showcase to employers as evidence of your proficiency in that language. Microcredential courses are for-credit and can be transferred to fulfill a degree program's language requirements as well.