The department facilitates development of proficiency in German and fosters critical appreciation of the cultures associated with it, serves to promote awareness of the diversity of languages and cultures worldwide, and to teach skills that are critical for students to become responsible global citizens. The Department of German supports outreach, extracurricular activities, and contributes to the visibility of German-related issues in the state of Iowa, fostering an environment of diversity and inclusion.

Undergraduate students in all majors may satisfy the World Languages requirement of the General Education Program with courses in German; see "Language for General Education" below. They may satisfy other General Education requirements with courses on German literature and culture that are taught in English; look for courses with the prefix GRMN in the area lists under "Culture, Society, and the Arts" in the General Education Program section of the Catalog.