Program Goals

The French program at Marquette University provides students with the opportunity to develop linguistic proficiency in one of the most widely spoken languages the world of business and diplomacy while learning about the rich and diverse cultures of Francophone Africa, Asia, America, and Europe. The goal of the undergraduate program is twofold: to master all four skills of language acquisition (speaking, understanding, reading and writing), and to gain in-depth knowledge of content areas related to French language and to the great diversity of Francophone arts, philosophy, politics and history. Majors in French may combine studies with other disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, or sciences. Students considering careers in international business, international affairs, diplomacy, education, philosophy, history, law, or communications are particularly encouraged to pursue a double major or a minor in French.

Program Information

  • Concentrations Offered
  • French Minor
  • French Courses
  • Student Testimonial
  • Faculty

Four distinct concentrations are offered:

  • Francophone Arts and Cultures
  • Francophone Societies and Civilizations
  • Francophone Literatures, Cultures and Language for Education Majors
  • Francophone Studies (interdisciplinary) 

Each concentration, with the exception of the additional requirements for Education majors, consists of eleven courses (33-34 credit). This excludes the elementary level language courses and Intermediate French 1 (FREN 1001 Elementary French 1, FREN 1003 Intensive Elementary French, and FREN 2001 Intermediate French 1).

Students may elect to complete a minor in French which consists of seven courses (21-22 credit hours), excluding the elementary language courses and Intermediate French 1 (FREN 1001 Elementary French 1, FREN 1003 Intensive Elementary French and FREN 2001 Intermediate French 1).

french-group

"To immerse in the study of French culture and language is to bask in the aesthetic pinnacle of the traditional garden of earthly delights. For what could be said about a society, a trailblazer, a supplicant to the everlasting pleasures of art, literature, and philosophy except that a deeply gratifying personal communion with such an enduring story is the only recourse for a mind craving transcendent joy." - Alexander Lux


Additional Information

For more information on French courses and an extensive course work guide to the French program, please visit the Marquette Undergraduate Bulletin.