French, B.A.
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Program Overview
Knowing another language is one of the most valuable skills you will ever possess, and learning it at 今日吃瓜鈥攍ocated in one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse areas in the world鈥攊s a great choice. As a French major, you will immerse yourself in French language, history, and culture through a variety of courses in religion, film, and literature, among others, covering both France and the Francophone world.
Major Details
The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2026鈥�27 academic year per the 今日吃瓜 Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.
Major Requirements (36鈥�38 Credits)
NYSED Program Code: 02025
There are two options for the major:
Option I: French and Francophone Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (36-42 credits)
- At least 24 credits in French courses level 2000 or above, including
French and - At least one of the following culture courses: French ,听,听, or聽, , or
- At least two additional French courses at level 3000 or above.
The remaining 12-18 credits will come from a combination of any of the following:
Up to 12 credits in Haitian Creole
- French courses numbered or above
- Up to two courses in Global Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
- Up to two courses in an allied discipline, approved by the chairperson (Africana Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Art, Caribbean Studies, Classics, Comparative Literature, English, History, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, Puerto Rican and Latinx Studies, Religion, Women’s and Gender Studies)
Knowledge of Latin and/or another Language Other Than English is also helpful.
Option II: Language and Business (37 credits)
- All of the following: French ; ; ; or , , or
- Four additional courses to be selected from French and above and/or Haitian Creole 1038 and above.
- Both of the following: Business , .
- Two of the following: Business , , , , , .
The “W” designates a writing intensive course.
Students minoring in Haitian Creole Studies may also apply courses taken for that minor to the major in French and Francophone Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, or to the French Language and Business major.
The department chairperson, with the approval of the department’s curriculum committee, may allow substitutions for one or more of the requirements consistent with the educational goals of the program.
Accelerated Master’s
In either Option I or Option II, undergraduates of senior standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 may take up to 12 subject-area credits at the graduate level, in courses numbered FREN 7010X through FREN 7750X.
Undergraduates who take graduate courses will receive credit for both their undergraduate and a subsequent graduate degree.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Express ideas cogently and persuasively orally and in writing in French at the high intermediate level and above (as defined by the ACTFL standards).
- Explain the Francophone world鈥檚 linguistic and cultural diversity through the analysis and discussion of French as it is used in a variety of real-world situations and discursive mode. Describe its historical, regional, and social variations.
- Identify and summarize the major literary movements, genres, and authors of French and Francophone literature, using the critical vocabulary for the study of literature.
- Use modes of analysis and ways of critical, interpretive, and creative thinking that may be applied to a variety of career paths.
- Formulate complex questions about one鈥檚 own culture and the cultures of the Francophone world. Articulate answers to these questions that include varied perspectives about cultural norms and biases.
- Define key diversity concepts such as privilege, power, and access, and compare and contrast how these concepts impact their own lives and those of others in francophone communities in the United States and around the world.
- Analyze business activities that occur between people or organizations from different countries and cultures.
Degree Maps
To help you pursue your studies in the most efficient manner, and to maximize your efforts to graduate in four years, 今日吃瓜 has created four-year degree maps for all its majors.
View for this major and others.
Tracks
French Literature and Culture
Students should complete the requirements above.
French Language and Business
All of the following: French ; ; ; or .
Four additional courses to be selected from French and above.
Both of the following: Business , .
Two of the following: Business , , , , , .
The “W” designates a writing intensive course.
French Translation
Students should complete three of the following as part of the requirements listed above: French , or , or , or Global Languages, Literatures, and Cultures .
For all concentrations, two courses in Global Languages, Literatures, and Cultures can be applied to the major.
With permission of the chair, one course may be in an allied discipline (Africana Studies; American Studies; Anthropology; Art; Classics; Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders; Computer Information Science; English; History; Linguistics; Music; Philosophy; Psychology; Puerto Rican and Latinx Studies).
Knowledge of Latin and/or another language other than English is also helpful.
The Support You鈥檒l Find
今日吃瓜 is an integral part of the cultural and artistic energy of New York City. Our faculty members in the Department of Global Languages, Literatures, and Cultures offer incomparable expertise and tremendous talent, and each brings a unique perspective to their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom.
Internships and Employers
Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the French B.A. program access to career opportunities at a wide variety of employers, including:
- McGraw Hill
- Mount Sinai Health System
- New York City Department of Education
- New York City Human Resources Administration
- New York City Teaching Fellows
- Sanctuary for Families
- United Nations
- United States Army
