Degrees Offered: Minor, B.A. (French track within the World Languages and Cultures major), 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.​

French Language Placement

All students who would like to take French are required to take a language placement assessment, regardless of previous exposure to or instruction in French.

Please note that the language placement assessment is designed to place you at the correct skill level. It is not a graded exam or a proficiency test but rather an assessment to match your skills with the appropriate language course at SU.

Information to navigate the assessments can be found at Language Placement Exams - College of Arts & Sciences at Syracuse University

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

Questions concerning fulfilling your program’s language requirement can be directed to the Department Chair at lllchair@syr.edu.

Study Abroad

To become fluent in French and gain insight into a Francophone country and its people, students are encouraged to study abroad for a semester or a year in Syracuse’s program in Strasbourg, France. Students take fully accredited courses abroad in language, literature, fine arts, history, political science, and other approved areas of study. Students can choose from several academic options, including taking courses taught at the Syracuse University center in both English and French; studying at the Institut International d’Etudes Françaises (IIEF); and studying at the Université de Strasbourg or Sciences-Po Strasbourg. For further information, contact the French program coordinator or Syracuse University Abroad.

Classes

Consult the Course Catalog classes list for all French classes. Search for "French."