Degrees Offered: Minor, B.A., M.A.

Why Study French?

The French Program at Syracuse University prepares students to thrive in an increasingly multi-cultural world. The program regularly offers a variety of courses that investigate both the literature and culture of the French-speaking world. These courses are particularly enriching due to their interdisciplinary emphasis in areas such as women's studies, Caribbean studies, and colonial and postcolonial studies. The program also combines medieval and early modern outlooks with contemporary perspectives to give students a broad view of literary and cultural trends across the centuries. We offer a major and minor program in French and Francophone Studies as well as a graduate M.A. degree—all designed to enhance the linguistic and cultural fluency of our students.

Along with its rich and poetic nature, French is one of the most practical and vital languages in the world. Not only is it the only language spoken on five continents, but it is also one of the official languages of the United Nations, the European Union, and numerous international organizations.

Studying French enables students to forge relationships across cultural difference. Students develop a global perspective by studying and pursuing internships through SUAbroad in Strasbourg, headquarters of the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the Court of Human Rights. In addition to their studies in French, SUAbroad students can complete degree requirements through courses in communications, economics, history, international relations, philosophy, political science, and religion, as well as through specialized programs in art, music, social work, and engineering. Furthermore, SUAbroad's World Partner Programs host study abroad opportunities farther afield in French-speaking countries such as Cameroon and Madagascar.

With their linguistic and cultural skills, graduates in French and Francophone Studies make excellent candidates for employment in numerous fields in the U.S. and abroad, including international relations; development; public policy; teaching; translation; journalism; editing; and the arts.​

All students who would like to take French must take a placement examination.

In order to enroll in any language classes, you must first take the online placement exam: For access to placement exams, please email: PEACCESS@syr.edu. **Please include your full name and SUID in the email**

Once it has been added to your account, you can access it here: French Placement Exam click here

Listen to the instructions and the model carefully.

• The answers you give should be FRENCH, not English, words.
• While this is not a typical test of French grammar and vocabulary, the results generally place you accurately.
• Once you have answered a question, you cannot go back and change your answer.
• Once you have submitted the exam, you cannot retake it unless there was a technical problem.
• At the end of the exam, you can sign back into Myslice to find out the level you have been placed in. Click on “view my placement exam results”. It may be necessary to refresh the page in order to view this information. You will be placed in a "student group" (i.e., level) within 24 hours. You will then be able to register for any open section of that level.

If you have questions about your placement, contact the French Language Coordinator.