Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in French, offered by the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures, helps students develop skills in reading, writing and oral communication while providing them with a rich understanding of the literature, cinema, history and traditions of one or more Francophone cultures. In all classes, students focus on communication and communities, comparisons and connection, and culture. As they improve their linguistic skills and study various forms of cultural production from other nations, French majors also strengthen their ability to analyze and interpret in a way that contributes to their education above and beyond courses they take for the major. Through study at Temple, often enhanced by study abroad, French majors gain insight into their own identities and assumptions in relation to others. Majors complete the program with an ability to communicate, a grounding in literary tradition, and an awareness of cultural differences that has become increasingly important in the contemporary world.

The French major is a good preparation for a career that requires analytical thinking and communication skills in general, which includes the domains of education, business, government service, travel and tourism. It is a good major or second major for students planning to attend law or medical school. Studies have shown that learning a foreign language helps raise scores on the LSAT, GRE and MCAT exams. This course of study also proves valuable to anyone who plans to work for a multinational corporation.

The French courses are often small, allowing students to get to know each other and their professors well. The program helps prepare students enrolled in the College of Education and Human Development for careers teaching French and provides the opportunity to students enrolled in the Fox School of Business and Management to acquire a certificate in French with a special course on French in the business world.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: LA-FREN-BA

Distinction in Major

To be considered for Distinction in Major, students must:

• Complete the requirements for the concentration in French with a GPA of at least 3.50;
• Be recommended to the chair of the department by the French faculty advisor after consultation with the French faculty;
• Have an overall GPA of at least 3.25.

Study Abroad

Students declaring a major or minor in the department are encouraged to study abroad. Temple University has a summer program at the Sorbonne in Paris. Credits earned through the Temple Sorbonne Program may be used toward the French major, minor, certificate and for satisfaction of the GenEd World Society requirement.

Accelerated Program

Students have the opportunity to pursue the following 4+1 program: BA in French/MEd in Secondary Education with a Concentration in World/Foreign Languages Education.

Contact Information

Department Office
532 Mazur Hall
215-204-1760

Patricia Melzer, Department Chair
pmelzer@temple.edu

Laura Spagnoli, Faculty Advisor
laura.spagnoli@temple.edu

Michelle Xu, Administrator
429 Mazur Hall
215-204-5628
xu.michelle@temple.edu

Stephen Walton, Academic Coordinator
539 Mazur Hall
215-204-1760
stephen.walton0002@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in French.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Degree Requirements

University Requirements

• MATH 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or ENG 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. The specific courses required for this major are FREN 2096 and FREN 3096.
• Students must complete requirements of the General Education (GenEd) Program. See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for more details.

College of Liberal Arts Requirements

• Completion of a minimum of 123 credits, including:
  • 90 credits in CLA/CST courses;
  • 45 credits of which must be at the upper level (numbered 2000-4999).
    • Distribution Requirement for Humanities majors: Six upper level credits must be earned in the Social Science, Science, and/or interdisciplinary subject areas. Select from the following CLA departments and programs: Africology & African American Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Asian Studies, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity and Human Behavior, Economics, Environmental Studies, Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, Geography and Urban Studies, Global Studies, History, Jewish Studies, Latin American Studies, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies, Liberal Arts, Neuroscience (CLA), Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology, or any department in the College of Science and Technology.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.0, cumulatively, in all CLA/CST coursework, and in the major department.
  • Only courses in which a student receives a grade of at least C- can satisfy GenEd, major, minor, or CLA Foreign Language and Global Studies requirements.
  • Professional Development Requirement
    • All students in the College of Liberal Arts are required to take a 1 credit seminar in professional development. CLA 1002 Professional Development for Liberal Arts Majors is the appropriate course option for this major. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CLA College Requirements page. Only one course in this category may count towards graduation.
  • Foreign Language/Global Studies Requirements:
    • The requirements for the major in French exceed the CLA minimum for this requirement.
    • Notes on Foreign Language Study
      • The third level of language is numbered 1003 in French, Spanish, and Portuguese and numbered 2001 in all other foreign language subjects.
      • Students are strongly encouraged to take the third level of a foreign language as it is the minimum required for election to the prestigious honor society Phi Beta Kappa. (Taking the course does not guarantee admission but not taking it guarantees exclusion.)
      • See the College of Liberal Arts Policies section of this Bulletin for more information on the Foreign Language Placement, Regression in Coursework, and guidelines for students' other experiences with language.

General Electives are typically one-third of a student's program of study and can be focused on a second major, a minor, or towards some other personal enrichment or professional goals. See an academic advisor for assistance in developing an academic plan for these courses.

Major Requirements: Ten courses in French (30 credits)

Prerequisites: FREN 1001 and FREN 1002 with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent placement.

Course levels are incremental in skills and content. Courses must be taken sequentially or in some instances may be taken concurrently. Students who initially place beyond FREN 1003 may begin with FREN 2001 or a course beyond 2001, as appropriate. Students who begin with higher placement will need to substitute with additional courses in French to replace the credits in their program.  

¹

French Electives numbered 3000-4999: Students may take FREN 3240 (taught in English) one time and up to one other appropriate course offered in another CLA department that focuses on French or Francophone topics with the approval of the French faculty advisor/chairperson.

Suggested Academic Plan

Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.

Bachelor of Arts in French

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

¹

May be taken in a related department. See faculty advisor.

Accelerated Programs

Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.

The following accelerated program may be of interest to students in the French BA:

College of Education and Human Development

• Secondary Education MEd with World/Foreign Languages Education concentration