About French
Studying French in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics at Florida State University gives students a solid grounding in the French language, with courses ranging from basic French to advanced conversation and composition. Studying French also provides an excellent introduction to the literature and cultures of the French-speaking world. There are courses on every significant period from the Middle Ages to the present, and on a variety of specialized cultural topics concerning France and other Francophone countries.
Undergraduates develop sophisticated ways of analyzing information and communicating across multiple contexts as they build important professional and interpersonal skills—distinctive assets in an increasingly connected word. And with opportunities to earn credit toward the major during study abroad on FSU’s Intensive French Program in Paris, students enhance their cross-cultural awareness and develop an ability to think critically about their own cultural practices and beliefs.
To learn about the department's M.A. and Ph.D. degree programs in French, visit French Graduate Studies.
The French major offers a flexible and thorough program of study. Considered a strategic language in global communications and one of the most useful languages in the world of business, French is the language of the future. Studying French will not only make you smarter, but it will open the doors to jobs around the world. The Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics' nationally recognized faculty teach a wide-range of classes on French and Francophone culture and literature. It also offers several scholarships to study in France and in Martinique, which moves students quickly towards bilingualism while they gain critical thinking skills and cross-cultural literacy.
[EFFECTIVE FALL 2025]:*
(*for students enrolled in the major prior to fall 2025, please consult the Academic Program Guide and for questions contact our undergraduate advising team).
French Major (30 hours total)
Core Requirements (6 hours)
- LIN 2004 World Languages
- FOW 2100 Literature and the World
French Major Requirements (24 hours)
Required Courses (6 hours):
- FRE 3420 French Grammar and Composition I or FRE 3421 French Grammar and Composition II
- FRE 4410 Advanced Conversation or FRE 4422 Advanced Grammar and Composition
Elective Coursework (18 hours):
Students will complete 18 credit hours at the upper-division in electives. A minimum of 6 credit hours must be at the 4000-level. No more than 6 credit hours of translation courses taught in English will count towards the French major.
French majors are eligible for the Winthrop-King summer scholarships to Paris in partial fulfillment of the above-stated requirements. French majors are encouraged to study in Francophone countries. Pre-approved credits earned in study abroad programs are readily transferable to Florida State University.
FRENCH MINOR
The French minor allows students to choose any combination of language, literature and culture classes.
12 semester hours in French courses numbered above 1999 are required for the minor. However, if FRE 2220 is used to meet the foreign language requirement, it may not be counted toward the minor. A minimum grade of C- must be earned for all courses taken for the minor.
Minors are eligible for the Ada Belle Winthrop-King summer scholarships to Paris in partial fulfillment of the above-stated requirements.
WHICH COURSES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH WILL SATISFY MY MAJOR OR MINOR?
At the 3000 level and above, some French courses are taught in French (generally FRE and FRW) while others are taught in English (FRT, FOW, in some case course content in FRW courses is also offered in English). Depending on the language in which students write their assignments, courses taught in English may count towards major or minor programs as follows:
French courses taught in English with written work done in English may not count towards the major. Any number of 3000 and 4000 level French courses taught in English with the written work done in French may count towards the major.
A maximum of one French course taught in English with the written work done in English may count towards the minor. Any number of French courses taught in English with the written work done in French may count towards the minor.
Before enrolling on French courses taught in English, students should check the course description to ensure that they can present their written work in the language of their choice and that this language meets the requirements of their major or minor program. Students should also obtain in advance the agreement of the course instructor concerning the language in which they will submit their work. Those who have not yet completed FRE 2220 (and preferably also FRE 3420) should be aware that they are likely to find it challenging to do the written work in French for 3000-level courses in Literature, Culture and Civilization; and that doing so could adversely affect their grade. This matter should be thoroughly discussed with the course instructor before the end of the drop-add period. In the case of comparative courses taught in English bearing FOW course numbers, students wishing to take such a course for major or minor credit in French must enroll under a FRE tutorial number rather than under the FOW course number; the course undergraduate advisor will provide further information.
Students at Florida State University and within the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics' French program have opportunities to study abroad through FSU International Programs and FSU Global Exchanges. Explore the programs below to learn more.
International Programs
Students have an exceptional opportunity for intensive study of the French language and culture is offered in association with the Institut Catholique, one of Paris’ most prestigious language schools. Students are taught entirely in French by native French-speaking faculty after placement in the language course most appropriate to their level of understanding, from beginning to advanced.
Global Exchanges
FSU Global Exchanges provides an affordable and immersive study experience at a host university. FSU is partnered with the University of the Antilles in Martinique. Classes are taught in French; a B2 level of French (upper-intermediate) is highly recommended.
Global Exchanges - University of the Antilles
FSU is also partnered with the MICEFA consortium in Paris, France. The Paris Exchange Program through MICEFA offers the opportunity to take classes at a Parisian university with French students, in either in English or French.
To view current undergraduate French courses and descriptions, visit the College of Arts and Sciences Bulletin and scroll down to courses beginning with prefixes FRE, FRT and FRW.
Learn about ways students can get involved in the community and learn more about the French experience.
Alliance Française de Tallahassee
The Alliance Française de Tallahassee’s mission is to encourage and develop knowledge of the French language and Francophone customs and to foster global, intellectual, and artistic exchanges between the people of the Tallahassee area and of French speaking countries. The Alliance Française de Tallahassee (AFTally) is an independent, non-profit, non-political, non discriminatory organization.
Cultural Services
The Cultural Services are a division of the French Embassy in the United States. The Cultural Services were first imagined in the 1930's by Paul Claudel. In 1945 General de Gaulle appointed Claude Lévi-Strauss as the first Cultural Counselor, with the mission of providing Americans (individuals and organizations) with access and resources to engage with French customs and promote it in their own communities.