French
Explore the Major
Why should you study French?
Students in French acquire an advanced proficiency in French language skills. They also learn to analyze literature and cultures of the French-speaking world. Students will have the chance to critically evaluate literary, cultural, and linguistic problems from the French-speaking world and clearly communicate their ideas and conclusions.
Check out this site on the value of an French degree on the job market!
Students wishing to double major in French can add the French Studies major. Talk to your primary major advisor about the double major process.
French MAPL - Master of Arts in Professional Language. An integrated master’s program in which students will earn their bachelor’s and master’s degrees concurrently. Open to students in their junior year. Students develop domain-specific fluency In French at the ACTFL Superior level to prepare for employment in government, translation, business, and church positions
French Department Contacts
- Academic and Professional Development Manager: Cielle Davis
- Section Head: Chris Flood
- Internship Coordinator: Daryl Lee
- French and Italian Department: BYU French & Italian Department
- French program: French | Home
Competencies and Careers
Competencies Developed in the Program:
Students in the French program can expect to develop strong competencies:
- Communication
- Information Literacy
- Cultural Navigation
Want to know more about these professional competencies? Career Readiness.
Common Career Fields: French students can use their degree to pursue careers in many fields!
Some of those include: Education, Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, Law, Medicine, Diplomacy, and Translation.
Jobs in these career fields:
Would you like to know about specific jobs in these fields? Check out this pamphlet
Handshake: Check out job postings in a career field that interests you! Use Handshake, the ultimate job board for internships and entry level jobs. Use it to search for jobs, connect with alumni, and research companies.
Meet with your advisor! Would you like to know more about the program to see if it’s a good fit for your goals? Would you like to know more about your career options? Do you have a career option in mind but you’d like resources to help you chart a path toward that goal? Come meet with your Academic and Professional Development Manager, Cielle Davis!
Contact the Liberal Arts Advisement Center to set up an appointment!
How to add the French major
French is an open enrollment program! Simply submit a major change request on your Progress Report to get started in the major.
Student Success Stories
Read what these French and French Studies students have to say about the program:
- Margaret: “Knowing another language opens so many doors. It’s one of the reasons I picked the French major. I truly feel like my professional career options are limitless. It is an opportunity to reach more people and opportunities that would otherwise be closed off to me.”
- Jonathan: “I honed an ability to see nuance in issues that are nominally similar. I’ve learned how to research a subject effectively.”
- Spencer: “My French studies have really helped enrich my entire education experience in that I’ve been able to learn more about a lot of the things that make life beautiful (art, literature, film, etc.). They have also helped me to have a more global perspective which has helped enlarge my perspective in my primary major.
FAQs
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Toggle ItemI have some French language experience. Which class should I take first?
Did you study French in high school? Do a language immersion program? Serve a French-speaking mission? Check out this page to assess which French class is right for you
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Toggle ItemI have more questions about this major. Who can I talk to?
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Toggle ItemHow do I declare this major?
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Toggle ItemWhat if I want to double major in French Studies and another program?
Many French students double major. You can petition to double major. Learn about the process here.
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Toggle ItemWhat is the language challenge exam? How do I take it?
The Challenge Exam allows BYU students who had a significant language immersion experience for which they did not receive academic credit to demonstrate their proficiency and to receive graded credit. The exam must be taken during your first French language-focused class at BYU or your first French language-focused class after your mission.
- Eligible classes: FREN 201, 202, or 321 See this website for details.
- Note: Native speakers cannot take the exam for credit.