The study of French and Francophone language, literature, culture, cinema, linguistics, and intercultural competence. In addition to reading, speaking, and writing proficiency in the language, the French major offers students knowledge of great works of literature, philosophy, history, film, and popular culture from the French-speaking world. French is an analytical language that structures thought and develops critical thinking for graduate school and the job market. Spoken by more than 200 Million people on the five continents, French is the second most widely learned foreign language after English. Due to the economic growth of Africa, where the largest percentage of French speakers reside, and the importance of Canada (officially bilingual) as a major trading partner to the U.S., French is projected to become one of the most significant global languages.

WHAT CAREERS CAN THIS MAJOR PREPARE YOU FOR?

Students with a French degree are well prepared to go on a variety of Masters and Ph.D. programs for careers in education, business, communications, medicine, hospitality/recreation, government, law, and social service. The following is a list of career paths that French majors across the country can pursue: Teacher, Community College/University Professor, Librarian, Research Assistant, College Admissions Officer, University Grant Writer, Business/Customer Service Manager, Bilingual Technical Support Specialist, Insurance Consultant, Analyst for International Financial Firm, Marketing/Sales/Representative for International Company, Assistant News Analyst, Technical Writer, News Anchor/Reporter, Film &Video/Book Editor, Translator/Interpreter, Editorial Assistant for Book Publisher, Intelligence Officer, Program Assistant for U.S Supreme Court, Public Health Data Analyst, International Trade Specialist, Peace Corps, Tour guide/Consultant, Guest Services Agent for a large Hotel chain, Public Relations for a French restaurant, Marketing Assistant for National Sports League.

WHAT SKILLS ARE DEVELOPED WITHIN THIS MAJOR?

French majors acquire valuable transferrable skills that they can apply in their future studies and careers: Intercultural competence (a set of cognitive, affective, and behavioral skills and characteristics that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts), verbal communication skills (oral presentations), written communication skills (papers, exams), information literacy, critical thinking, and analytic reasoning, being detail-oriented (accuracy in oral and written language proficiency), knowledge of global issues (culture, politics, literature, cinema, and current societal issues).