Business Studies in Berlin, Germany
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The academic information on this page is up-to-date as of Spring 2008, but changes are pending for future semesters due to changes in the Carlson School of Management curriculum. Please check back for updates or contact us with questions.

Academics

  • Take classes at the Berlin School of Economics.
  • Gain experience by participating in a business internship.
  • Learn to speak German.
This program appeals to students who are studying business or economics, want to take intensive German language courses, or are interested in participating in an internship.

Academic Structure

Program type: Business Studies in Berlin participants take classes at both the Berlin School of Economics and the International Education for Students (IES) center. A four-week intensive German language course is provided before the start of the semester.

Level: Upper-division coursework in business, economics, and German language and culture.

Term: Spring semester. Optional internships from July to mid-August.

Prerequisites: Overall GPA of 3.0; sophomores and above. You must also have a B average in business or economics classes. There may be additional prerequisites for certain courses. Five semesters of German  are required for an internship.

Courseload: 17-20 credits including pre-session.

Coursework

Students take a total of 17–20 credits on the program including:

*NOTE: If you have less than four semesters of German prior to the program, you are required to take a German language course during the semester. If you have completed at least German 1004 at the University of Minnesota, you are not required to take a semester language course, but you are still strongly encouraged to continue your language study in Berlin.

Pre-Session
You will enroll in a four-week intensive German language course at Humboldt University prior to the start of the semester and earn 4 credits. The course offers beginning, intermediate, and advanced German language instruction and meets Monday through Friday for five hours each day. You will be tested upon arrival and placed at your appropriate language proficiency level.

Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience with Your Future
This 1-credit online course will help you:

  1. process your overseas experience and apply what you learn upon your return
  2. understand intercultural lingo and relate it to your experience
  3. reflect on the multiple layers of cross-cultural experiences
  4. market your study abroad experience for future career goals.

Courses at the IES Center
Participants take 6 credits of Program Courses at the IES center. In addition to German culture courses, business courses are offered at the International Education for Students (IES) Center in Berlin and are taught by German faculty. Courses are offered in English, and additional course information offers more detail and descriptions of particular courses for this program. Exact course offerings may vary from term to term.

For students with at least two years of German, there is potential to take some IES coursework in German. For more information go to About the IES Center in Berlin.

Courses at the Berlin School of Economics
You are required to enroll in two business or economic courses at the Berlin School of Economics. All courses are taught in English and offer 3 credits unless otherwise noted. If you have sufficient German language skills, you may enroll in courses conducted in German. Additional course information offers more detail and descriptions of particular courses for this program. Exact course offerings may vary from term to term.

Search for specific course information and view the complete list of courses offered in English. For more tips on difference in terminology and finding course information, go to About the Berlin School of Economics and Finding Course Information for Host Universities.

 

Internships

You may elect to continue your experience with a credit-bearing business internship in Berlin. Those who participate in the internship option receive an additional 3 credits.

Internships are limited and offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Internships are six weeks in length, from July to mid-August. They are initially part-time and then four days per week, eight hours per day. A weekly seminar during the semester complements the internships to assist you and integrate the internship experience.

You must have completed at least five semesters of German in order to participate, and an additional fee is charged. (Carlson students may petition this to count as a required elective course.)

Academic Fit with a University of Minnesota Degree Plan

Many courses have already been reviewed to meet Liberal Education requirements. Go to the Liberal Education Database to search for courses or submit ones for approval.

Study Abroad in Your Major advising resources tell you why University of Minnesota faculty think study abroad is important for a particular major, what the department wants students to think about when selecting a program, and gives helpful academic planning hints. There may also be profiles of students who studied abroad in your major.

This program appears as a special recommendation on the following Study Abroad in Your Major advising resources:

Business & Marketing Education Human Resource Development
German, Scandinavian, & Dutch  
 
Last modified on April 13, 2009