What can I do with a major or minor in French?
Studying French leads to many different careers. Learn about our alumni.

Are there several majors/minors in French?
Yes, there are: check our French majors and French minors.

How do I know if the French major/minor is the right choice for me?
We recommend that you meet with one of our advisors.

How many students are typically in a French course?
Our majors and minors benefit from taking classes that generally have between 5 and 18 students. You will build quality relationships with faculty. Professors know all of their students and often write recommendation letters that allow them to be accepted into prestigious graduate programs (Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Sciences-Po Paris, etc.)

When should I declare my major/minor in French?
Students are strongly encouraged to declare their major or minor as soon as possible in order to receive accurate advising, to choose the courses they need, and to receive all of the information about events organized by the undergraduate program and the French Club.

If I declare my French major/minor, can I change my mind later on?
Yes, you can change your mind later…but that doesn’t often happen!  
To declare the major, please contact: Prof. Claudie Bernard.
To declare the minor, please contact: Sofia Sierra-Garcia.

How many courses do I need for the major/minor in French?
36 points for the major. 16 points for the minor.

Are there any 2-point courses for French?
Several 2-point courses are offered at NYU Paris and in New York.

I already have a major: can I double major in French?
The majority of our students are double majors, combining French with another major in Politics, Journalism, Math, Economics, Business, MCC, etc. Having a double major is very often a professional advantage.

Can I go to graduate school with a French major/minor?
Many of our students continue their studies in the most prestigious graduate programs in law, journalism, international relations, literature, etc. in the United States (Harvard, Yale, Columbia, etc.), in France (Sorbonne, Sciences-Po), or elsewhere in the world.

I took French in high school. Does that count towards the major/minor?
If you received a score of 4 or 5 on the AP test, that counts for the equivalent of FREN-UA 30 (4 points).  Otherwise, you’ll need to take a placement test.

I’m a transfer student: do I need to start my major/minor from scratch?
No, it’s possible to count French courses taken at another university, with written approval from the director of the language program. (Please contact john.moran@nyu.edu)

Do I need to speak French to minor in French studies?
Not necessarily: It’s possible to minor in “French Studies in English Translation”.
For French-speaking students, you can choose a minor in French Studies or Francophone Studies.

What is the French Club?
The French Club is a student association officially recognized by the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). It gathers together all French majors and minors and all students interested in the French language and French and Francophone cultures. It’s a place to make friends and share ideas. You can sign up here. NetID required for sign-up. 

I would like to apply to be a Student Ambassador and to volunteer for the French Club. What should I do?
If you’re enthusiastic, motivated, and organized, contact the director of undergraduate studies about being a Student Ambassador or the next president of the French Club. Contact: ludovic.cortade@nyu.edu

What is La Maison Française?
La Maison Française (“The French House”) is a place to meet and exchange ideas, open to all students, professors, and others interested in the French language and in French and Francophone cultures. French Club activities and many other events take place here.

What is the Honors Program in French?
The Honors Program is open to students whose GPA (overall and major) is 3.65 or higher. Honors majors have gone on to establish successful careers. Learn more about the Honors Program here.

How to I apply to go to NYU Paris?
You can apply here. It is your responsibility to contact a departmental advisor in New York to make sure that you are taking the courses you need towards the major/minor.

How many courses can I take at NYU Paris for the major/minor?
For the major:
-You can take up to the 16 points required for Foundations courses at NYU Paris.
-You can take a maximum of 8 points for Discovery courses at NYU Paris (GLS students, exceptionally, can take up to 12 points for Discovery courses at NYU Paris).
- If needed, a maximum of 4 out of 8 “Discovery” points may be an upper-level course offered by another department at NYU Paris as long as it is taught entirely in French. If taught at the Square, under no circumstance may such course count towards the major in French (only FREN-UA “Discovery” courses taught at the Square may count towards the major in French). One of the “Discovery” courses (4pts) may be offered by a French university (written approval of the DUS required).   
-The 4 points required for Inquiry courses must be taken at the New York campus.
For the minor:
-The 16 points required for the minor can be taken at NYU Paris.

Do I have to go to NYU Paris if I major/minor in French?
It is strongly recommended, but not required, to spend a summer session, semester, or academic year at NYU Paris.

Does the NYU Paris internship count towards the major or the minor?
Yes, the NYU Paris internship counts for 4 points if it is taken with the Internship Seminar. For the major, it counts in the “Foundations” category. More details here.

Can I take a course at a French university for credit?  
To take a course at a French university (Sorbonne, Sciences-Po, etc.) and obtain credit, you need prior written agreement from the director of undergraduate studies: john.moran@nyu.edu

I’m a Stern student: do IBEX courses count towards the major/minor?
Courses taken in France by Stern students through the IBEX program can count for the major /minor. You will need prior written agreement from the director of undergraduate studies: john.moran@nyu.edu

I’m a GLS student: is it easy to double major in GLS and French?
To earn the double major, students must fulfill all the requirements of each degree, but may count the following courses in the French major as simultaneously meeting degree requirements in GLS:

• the French Senior Seminar (FREN-UA 991, 992) will also count as meeting one of the GLS Senior Seminar requirements. 
• Any French or Francophone literature course with substantive transnational content in the French Department will also count as meeting the GLS Advanced Global Cultures course requirement.
• GLS students have the possibility to take up to three (out of four) FREN-UA NYU Paris "Discovery" courses. Please note that non-GLS majors do not have this option (non-GLS majors may take up to two FREN-UA NYU Paris “Discovery” courses). One of the “Discovery” courses may be offered by a French university (written approval of the DUS required).
•  If needed, one of the “Discovery” courses may be an upper-level course offered by another department at NYU Paris as long as it is taught entirely in French. If taught at the Square, under no circumstance may such course count towards the major in French (only FREN-UA “Discovery” courses taught at the Square may count towards the major in French).

I’m a GLS student: can I do the Honors Program in French?
Students in GLS may complete the honors track in the Department of French. In order to do so, they will need to meet all necessary requirements for entry to the honors track. GLS students should coordinate with the DUS or Associate DUS during their junior year abroad so that they can identify their research question and their mentor in the Department. If they qualify, they will have the option to do their thesis either in the Department or in GLS (taking the thesis related courses with either division). Honors students who write their theses in the French language must or normally will be housed in the Department of French (that is, they will take the Department’s senior honors seminar) and will have a GLS second reader who is fluent in the language.

Does any course taught in French count towards the major/minor in French?
The majority of courses taught in French count for the major/minor. However, you need to check that the course number starts with “FREN-UA.” If the class is offered by a French university (Sorbonne, Sciences-Po, etc.), you need prior written agreement from the director of undergraduate studies in order for the course to count for the major/minor: john.moran@nyu.edu