French

  • BA
  • Major
  • Minor
Two students talking over a laptop, notebook in the foreground with French translations.

Bonjour, future translator and culture explorer! Ready to bring the French language and a rich cultural education into your life and career? Our French major is designed to expand your language skills, literary appreciation and an understanding of French culture.

Students in the Translation Concentration will strengthen their spoken and written French skills while learning to effectively interpret and use translation technologies. Many courses include internships or field projects, so you can apply your skills in real settings. Students in this concentration may earn a Translation Certificate in order to enhance their linguistic skills or to enter careers related to international organizations. They may also take related business courses.

In the French Civilization Concentration, you’ll explore the histories, politics, and arts of the French-speaking world, from France to Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond. You will study literature, cinema, and contemporary issues to understand how language and culture shape societies.

Both paths offer study abroad opportunities and access to cutting-edge translation tools. French is one of the most widely-spoken languages in the world, with over 350 million daily speakers. It is also one of the official languages of the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, and dozens of non-governmental organizations. Whether you want to translate ideas or explore cultures, this program will prepare you for a global career.

Choose Your Track, Follow Your Passion

Our French major offers two concentration tracks and one minor, allowing students to choose a path that most aligns with their passion, interests and intended career track. Teacher certification is also available.

Students in the Translation Concentration choose coursework in the French language, enhance their written and spoken communication skills, and take related translation electives to complement their General Education requirements. Many of our translation courses offer an internship or other field experience. We also offer the possibility of Study Abroad, for the semester, academic year or with our summer programs in Québec City, Québec, or Bordeaux, France. 

See the curriculum.

Students in the French Civilization Concentration choose coursework in the French language, enhance their written and spoken communication skills, and take related civilization and culture electives to complement their General Education requirements. We also offer the possibility of Study Abroad, for the semester, academic year or with our summer programs in Québec City, Québec, or Bordeaux, France. 

See the curriculum.

The Minor in French is an 18-credit program available to undergraduate students from any major. French minors may elect to follow a liberal arts emphasis or to specialize in Business French. Extracurricular activities and study abroad opportunities are available. Students will take a combination of four required and two elective courses in Intermediate French, composition, conversation, Francophone Film and more. We also offer the possibility of Study Abroad, for the semester, academic year or with our summer programs in Québec City, Québec, or Bordeaux, France. 

See the curriculum.

Teaching Options

Want to inspire future Francophiles? Turn your passion for French language and culture into a teaching career!

This program combines the required courses for the BA in French with those required for Teacher Certification in French for grades P-12. To meet the requirements for state certification in teaching French, students take 39 credits in the French program (language, literature, and culture of the French-speaking world), plus required coursework in Teacher Education. We also offer the possibility of Study Abroad, for the semester, academic year or with our summer programs in Québec City, Québec, or Bordeaux, France. 

See the curriculum.

One degree? How about deux?

Earn two degrees in less time. Our combined degree programs allow students to complete “swing credits” while enrolled as an undergraduate that count for both bachelor and master’s degrees. Students at Montclair typically experience significant cost savings when pursuing a combined degree program.

students in classroom.

BA/MA in French

The BA in French, French Civilization Concentration is also available as part of a 5-year program that culminates in a MA in French, French Studies Concentration.

Student in classroom with hand raised.

Combined BA/MAT with Teacher Certification in French (Preschool – 12) and Teacher of Students with Disabilities

The Dual Degree Dual Certification program is an accelerated program that leads to teacher certification in French (grades P-12), teacher certification in Teacher of Students with Disabilities, a baccalaureate degree and a master’s degree.

Career Opportunities

Anthropologist
Business Administrator
Psychologist

Sociologist
Researcher
Teacher

Translator
International Business
Diplomat/Foreign Service

Related Programs

Featured Faculty

1/

Questions? We’re Here to Help.

If you have any general questions regarding the application process and requirements, please email or call us.