French, B.A.
Undergraduate Degree
Program Overview

The bachelor’s degree program in French at Marshall University in West Virginia prepares students for opportunities in teaching, international affairs and working as a translator or interpreter in business, government or a variety of other organizations. French is a language of international diplomacy, global business and finance, health professions, fashion, art, and cuisine. Marshall students can major, double major, or minor in French, accommodating a variety of career possibilities.

Marshall University offers a French major and French minor, and students in these programs learn the rich, cultural and historical heritage of France as they learn the French language. French is spoken not only in France, but also in the European countries of Switzerland and Belgium, as well as in regions of Africa, North America and the Caribbean. Earn a B.A. in French and explore everything from French literature and films to key aspects of French culture and society while learning to master French conversation, listening, vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension and writing skills.

Students who successfully graduate from this program will be capable of performing these skills above the intermediate level, up to a high level, of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines. They will have a broad awareness of French history, culture and society, and how it compares to their own culture. Marshall’s B.A. French graduates also have a deeper understanding of current social issues and perspectives, with the problem-solving and interpersonal skills needed to create solutions and achieve their goals.

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Program Highlights
Comprehensive French Language and Culture Instruction

Marshall University offers a B.A. in French that includes two years of basic language and a series of elective courses that cover French culture and society, film and literature. At Marshall, students can earn a French major, study French as part of a double major, or earn a French Minor.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Students in our French bachelor’s degree program can participate in the university’s exchange study abroad program with Rennes 2 University in Rennes, France. Students can apply to travel from West Virginia and spend one or two semesters in France, and scholarships are available.

Marshall University’s French program also is part of the KEI Abroad program, giving students an opportunity to participate in a summer study abroad program in Paris, France. Students can join this four-week summer program at earn credits that may be transferred to Marshall.

Capstone Project

Capstone presentation: Students earning a French degree at Marshall University also complete a Capstone project as a Modern Languages requirement and present it at the Research and Creativity Conference organized by the College of Liberal Arts each spring semester.

Career Opportunities
Whether interested in finance, fashion, or becoming a literary editor or a museum curator, French is a useful skill that can boost opportunities. While technology continues to make the world seem smaller, the need for building relationships and strong interpersonal language skills is as critical as ever. College graduates who are able to communicate with more people will have richer cultural and international experiences and increased options for making their mark.
  • Teacher
  • Interpreter
  • Translator
  • Human Resources Representative
  • Account Executive
  • Recruiter