Major code BA5221

College of Arts and Sciences   
Modern Languages Department  
Gordy Hall 283
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.2765
www.ohio.edu/cas/modern-languages/undergraduate/french-major

Nikhil Sathe, contact person
sathe@ohio.edu

Program Overview

The French major provides students with a base of knowledge not only in languages, but, just as importantly, in cultural content so vital for understanding and navigating the world. French majors learn to think analytically and critically in courses on Francophone literature, culture, and film, and they acquire clarity of thought and expression through frequent writing assignments and speaking activities.

The French faculty is committed to mentoring and guiding students through the options of double majors, complementary certificate programs, and elective courses. We limit our class sizes so professors can address the needs of individual learners and encourage dialogue, collaboration, openness, and critical thinking.

To complement course work, our French Club sponsors events such as conversation meetings, game nights, and film viewings. The French major challenges undergraduate students in a supportive environment where they can thrive and prepare themselves for a successful future.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Change of Program Policy

No selective or limited admission requirements.

External Transfer Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

French majors are not limited to a specific career track. Many job listings include foreign language proficiency as a desirable or necessary tool. Additionally, the ability to think analytically, communicate clearly, and understand people from diverse cultural backgrounds has served our graduates well in a wide range of professions. Ohio University French majors discover that current job listings call for the types of abilities they have acquired through their liberal arts education: communication skills, analytical skills, interpersonal skills, a capacity for problem solving, and the ability to learn quickly.

In consultation with a faculty mentor and with the help of Ohio University Career Services, students approaching graduation can identify companies and organizations offering job opportunities that correspond to their personal interests. When recent graduates can employ their marketable skills in the pursuit of an individual passion, they greatly enhance their chances for success, satisfaction, and lifelong rewards.

Some of our students combine a major in French with a secondary discipline such as journalism, political science, education, sociology, or business, and then seek employment in print or broadcast media, government, teaching, social services, or industry. These students possess career-specific skills in addition to general knowledge and language proficiency.

Our majors often seek internships, either in the United States or abroad, to apply their foreign language skills in professional settings. With faculty guidance, our seniors have successfully competed for postgraduate awards such as Fulbright Scholarships. Many graduates enter M.A. and Ph.D. programs, either in French or another discipline, and go on to academic positions at universities. Others attend law school or medical school. Volunteer service abroad with organizations such as the Peace Corps provides training that can help a student identify a future career track.

Browse through dozens of internship opportunities and full-time job postings for Ohio University students and alumni on Handshake, OHIO’s key resource for researching jobs, employers, workshops, and professional development events.

Requirements