French and Francophone Studies
Why study French? Pourquoi étudier le français?
Can you see yourself delving into international market analysis, working for an NGO, or teaching in a foreign country? As a French graduate, the world’s career opportunities are nearly as diverse as the 220 million people who parler en français. At Cornell, you can immerse yourself in the study of the French language and Francophone cultures.
Facts about French language: French is the official language of the United Nations, UNESCO, NATO, and 29 countries. French is a fast-growing, global language that is projected to be spoken by over 700 million people by 2050, according to the International Organization of Francophonie. As many as half of basic English words come from French. Plus, learning a second language like French increases your savoir faire.
Your study of French might uncover a passion for French literature, improve your speaking abilities, and give you the ability to engage with Francophone communities. In 18 days, you can retrace the steps of Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne in Aix-en-Provence, France, or celebrate Carnaval with a Martinican family in the Caribbean.
If you have an interest in French, you could earn your B.A. in French and Francophone studies combinate a majors or minors with another course of study.
- Major in French and Fracophone Studies
- Minor in French and Fracophone Studies
- Education major with a secondary certification to teach French.
French courses and degree requirements
As a French major you will take a combination of French language and French culture courses. You have the option to take a placement test before you arrive at Cornell if you’ve completed previous coursework in French that will determine what your first language class should be. Most of the courses for your major will also be taught in French by our fluent faculty. If you want to pursue a K-12 teaching certification to teach French you will need to be admitted to our Teacher Education Program as well as complete your major.
Pi Delta Phi is the National French Honor Society and your study of French at Cornell could lead you to become a part of this prestigious academic honors society and earn the highest academic honor in the field of French. Cornell's chapter of the national society, Nu Psi, recognizes outstanding scholars in French and Francophone studies.
French and Francophone studies capstone
In your senior year you will culminate your study of French with either a capstone seminar or an independent capstone project. The seminar course will focus on in-depth study of a literary movement, genre, author, or theme. For the independent study option you will propose a research topic in the fall semester of your junior year that will culminate in a substantive project in French to be completed during your senior year.
Immerse yourself in a Francophone culture
There’s no better way to learn French than to travel to places where French is spoken. One Course At A Time allows you to take block-long courses led by Cornell French faculty every other year to Francophone destinations such as Aix-en-Provence, France; Fort-de-France, Martinique; and Morocco. You can also study abroad for a semester or a year through a variety of approved programs, around the world, such as Dakar, Senegal; Toulouse, Paris, or Nice, France; Geneva, Switzerland; or Madagascar.
Internships for students of French and Francophone studies
Your knowledge of french language and cultures can lead to opportunities to take on internships globally or closer to home that focus on relationships with french-speaking nations or french culture closer to home. Katie DeMink '25 did just that in her internship with Alliance Francaise Saint Louis where she helped to launch the curriculum for an after school program that taught students about African-French culture.
Arts, Media and Communications Internships Katie's Internship Blog
Studying languages on the block plan
How can you learn French in 18-day sprints? Learn about how the immersive nature of our One Course At A Time curriculum can be a very effective way to study languages.
Career opportunities for Francophiles
Your French degree prepares you for a range of careers working in international organizations, U.S. companies who do business on a global scale, the government, or non-profits scattered across the Francophone landscape. You may find a career in a wide variety of industries after you leave Cornell, or you might choose to pursue graduate studies in literary translation, international development practice, or teaching and teaching certifications for post-secondary education like other Cornellians have done.
The Berry Career Institute can help you identify what you’ll pursue with your knowledge of the French language and culture.