德文是美国最大的欧洲贸易伙伴，德语是世界第二大最常用的商务语言。精通德语的学生可以与生活在欧洲中心许多国家的大约1亿人进行交流。该系提供有关历史和文化以及文学理论的指导，使学生能够获得德文文化中的知识生活。德语专业的文学学士学位无需教师认证即可获得文学学士学位。为了获得华盛顿州认证的推荐，学生必须完成教师认证计划。
In keeping with the aim of providing the skills needed to learn about a culture in depth, the Department of Modern and Classical Languages trains in two areas: language structure and literary analysis. Language structure is taught both holistically and analytically. Holistic language learning is facilitated by modern methods and multimedia technology, as well as study abroad opportunities. The department supports the analytical instruction of language structure through a full range of language skills courses, as well as a significant number of courses in linguistics. Literary analysis is essential to a student's understanding of the highest achievements in aesthetic expression of a culture's values.<br><br>The department provides instruction in history and culture, as well as literary theory, with an end to enabling the student to gain access to the intellectual life in the culture. The department imparts skills to future world language teachers so that they may similarly enable high school students to begin the acquisition of world languages.<br><br>This major leads to a BA degree without teacher certification. In order to receive a recommendation for state of Washington certification students must complete the Optional Requirements, including the teacher certification program which is offered by the Department of Secondary Education.