Students walking through garden in Strasbourg, France

French

The French Program goes beyond language, immersing you in the diverse cultures of the French-speaking world through engaging coursework and study abroad experiences

Overview

Centre College’s French major strengthens language skills while engaging you in Franch-speaking (Francophone) culture, history, and literature. Through interactive coursework and study abroad programs, you will experience the French-speaking world firsthand and learn critical-thinking skills and how to communicate across cultures, preparing you for careers in business, diplomacy, translation, teaching, and marketing. The program focuses on real-world language use, helping graduates succeed in a global job market. With a focus on cultural understanding and hands-on experiences, the French major equips you to thrive in diverse professional and academic fields.

Your Major Took You Where?

French majors have gone on to a variety of graduate programs and careers.

Employers and Professions

  • English Teaching Assistant, TAPIF
  • Peace Corps Volunteer

Postgraduate Study

  • University of Kentucky, College of Education
  • French and Francophone Studies at Indiana University in Bloomington
  • World Languages M.Ed. at Vanderbilt University

Curriculum

The French Program at Centre offers a hands-on approach, starting with courses designed to build practical communication skills. As you progress, you will explore French culture through workshops in history, cinema, music, and politics. Advanced courses refine conversation, writing, and specialized topics like French cuisine and philosophy. Seniors complete their studies with a final seminar, preparing a conference presentation with faculty guidance and mentorship. This approach combines language skills with cultural insights for a well-rounded education in French.

Major Requirements

Minor Requirements

Experiential Learning

Students engage in hands-on learning experiences and reflection to develop skills and increase knowledge retention.

As a French major, you will have the opportunity to study in France or Tahiti, alongside a group of classmates and a Centre faculty member who coordinates the programs and teaches courses. These programs allow you to become immersed in French culture and language.

Internships

We're committed to helping students find quality internship experiences in the career area of their choice.

French majors have participated in internships in areas such as the Centre de Linguistique Appliquée in Besançon, France;  the Institut de Génétique in Strasbourg, France, along with the Meridian International Center in Washington, DC.

Careers

Our extraordinary liberal arts and sciences education prepares students for meaningful lives and careers.

Common career paths for French majors include teaching, linguistics, banking and finance, foreign market analysis, diplomacy, translation, marketing, and hotel management.

French Faculty

Person smiling

Allison Connolly

  • Alfred P. & Katherine B. Jobson Professor of French
  • Chair of French and Arabic Programs

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