Why French?
Undergraduate Program Information
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Bienvenue!
The French department offers opportunities to all incoming students, regardless of their proficiency level in the language. Our new interdisciplinary major allows students to start in 101 and graduate with a French degree in four years!
Why French?
Global Language: French has approximately 200 million speakers across all continents and is an official language in 31 countries.
Language Roots: Approximately 45% of English vocabulary is derived from French. Learning French enhances your English grammar and vocabulary skills.
Career Advantage: Employers prefer candidates who speak a foreign language and possess intercultural communication skills.
Cultural Exposure: Our French courses immerse students in cultures, literatures, and a language central to world history.
Diverse Career Paths: 85% of French majors have another major. French majors are not limited to teaching; they pursue careers in various fields.
Why Major or Minor in French?
Our curriculum equips students with critical skills, advanced reading and speaking capabilities, and in-depth knowledge of French and Francophone cultures. These skills are highly valued by graduate schools and employers. The newly redesigned major offers two tracks:
Language Intensive: For students who have prior knowledge of French and seek full proficiency.
Interdisciplinary: For students interested in cultural awareness and who haven’t necessarily learned French.
Our curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including literature, visual arts, gender studies, language, current political issues, music, film, theater, and French and Francophone popular culture(s).
Learn More from Our Professors!
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Study Abroad Opportunities
French minors and majors can gain firsthand experience of contemporary France through:
- Summer Program in Paris
- Winter Program in Aix-en-Provence
- Semester- or Year-long Study Abroad Programs
- Internships
- Teaching Assistantships in France sponsored by the French government
Find out more about studying abroad here. Check out what students have to say about their study abroad experiences.
Career Success
Our graduates have pursued successful careers in education, business, translation, interpretation, medicine, international relations, scientific research, and law. Recent French majors have attended graduate schools such as Columbia, NYU, Harvard, Princeton, UC Irvine, UPenn, Yale, and Georgetown. Read testimonials from recent graduates.
Did you know that world languages teachers are in high demand in New Jersey? Visit our page on transitioning from Rutgers to your own classroom.
Undergraduate FAQs
For questions about special permission or pre-reqs: please click here.
General Questions
Do I need to fill out any forms to declare a major or minor? Not for the French Department. You may need to for your school or college.
What 420 courses count for the minor? The Minor in French (420) is comprised of at least six (6) 3-credit courses beyond second semester French. All 420 courses above 128 (Introductory French) may be counted towards the minor.
Can I take both 215 and 217? Or 216 and 218? 217 and 218 are the Honors equivalent to 215 and 216. You cannot take both 215 and 217 or 216 and 218.
For advising hours: please click here.
Do you accept auditors? It depends on the course, the instructor, and the reason. Please e-mail the Undergraduate Director with the name of the course, course number, and reason for your request.
I am a senior and majoring (or minoring) in French. Are all of my courses in order? We urge you to contact the department in the spring of your junior year to check if you are meeting major or minor requirements. Do not wait until your senior year. The first step is to check degree navigator. Then, e-mail the Undergraduate Director to set up an appointment to come in.
Questions About Course Offerings, Instructors, & Books
What courses are you offering next semester? We post our list of courses one week before registration begins. Please see our website under courses.
Can I have the name of the instructor teaching a course? We do not provide instructor names before the start of the semester because the schedule often changes. Please see the online schedule of classes for the most up-to-date information.
How can I find out what books will be required for a course? We order our books through the Rutgers University Bookstore, in New Brunswick. To find out what books are required, please go to the bookstore website under textbooks and check our course description section.
Do you offer summer courses in French? Yes. Please contact the Rutgers Summer Session office for the most up-to-date information.
Questions About Transfer Credit
If you are a transfer student, or doing study abroad through another institution: Contact the Undergraduate Director and make an appointment to come in. Bring as much course information as possible: syllabus, course description, program brochure, etcetera. Where appropriate, we will approve course equivalencies for transfer credit.
Can you provide a course syllabus so I can get it approved by my home university? Yes. Contact the Undergraduate Director, with the name of the course, course number, and reason for your request.
I took an AP course in high school. What score is required to get course credit? An AP course with a score of 4 or 5 will be granted course credit, and replaces French 210 in terms of major/minor requirements.
Questions About Specific Courses & Programs
Does French 102 or 132 have a lab? If you take either course in the fall, there is no lab. If you take either one in the spring, then yes, there is a lab.
What is French 105? This course allows students to acquire a reading knowledge of French as quickly as possible. It is taught in English.
Do I have to take 200-level courses in consecutive order? Only 213 and 214 need to be taken in consecutive order.
Does Intermediate French count towards the major and minor? Intermediate French courses (420:131 and 420:132, or 420:137) may be counted towards the major and minor.
How many 200-level courses are required for the minor? You need to take at least two 200-level electives taught in French, including one of the following: 215, 216, 217, 218.
Do I need to take both 215 and 216 to complete minor requirements? Taking both 215/217 and 216/218 is recommended but not required for the minor. You must take one of the following: 215, 216, 217, 218.
How many upper-level electives are required for the minor? Two electives at the 300-level or above are required (taught in English or French).
Can I do more than one semester of independent study? Yes.
For information about the Certificate of Basic Knowledge (or other certificate programs): please click here.