Versatile Program
We offer one of the most complete French programs in the Twin Cities, focusing on numerous aspects of French culture.
Bachelor of Arts in French
From the rich culture to a deep understanding on the language, French at the Â鶹´«Ã½ equips you with important skills needed for the challenges of contemporary life. We will provide you with a thorough background in multiple aspects of French language, literature and culture.
Why Study French at St. Thomas?
Our program is flexible, meaning you can tailor your courses to fit your career goals. Faculty have extensive experience in a range of topics, and are passionate about meeting your needs inside and outside of the classroom. By embracing innovative teaching techniques, various forms of French culture and experiences outside of the classroom, our program explores different aspects of French language and culture with faculty serving as your mentors along the way. Graduates have gone to work in fields such as international diplomacy, civil engineering, medicine, economics and law.
Beyond Montmartre and Macron
Course Requirements
A French major consists of courses focusing on advanced language study, civilization, culture and literature. With the help of a faculty member, you will choose your courses to fit your career goals while deepening your appreciation for other people and their cultures.
Four-Year Plan
We recommend starting at FREN 212 if you plan to major in French. You will complete a minimum of 28 credits at the 300-level and above while choosing from courses focused on literature, culture and advanced language study.
Sample degree plan for students starting at FREN 212Sample degree plan for students placing above FREN 212
Scholarships
The French program is proud to award the Brunel Scholarship, an annual award of $1,200 toward French study abroad opportunities. It is available to all French majors and minors.
Degrees Awarded
- Bachelor of Arts in French
- Minor in French
Course Requirements
Course Requirements
A French major consists of courses focusing on advanced language study, civilization, culture and literature. With the help of a faculty member, you will choose your courses to fit your career goals while deepening your appreciation for other people and their cultures.
Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan
We recommend starting at FREN 212 if you plan to major in French. You will complete a minimum of 28 credits at the 300-level and above while choosing from courses focused on literature, culture and advanced language study.
Sample degree plan for students starting at FREN 212Sample degree plan for students placing above FREN 212
Scholarships
Scholarships
The French program is proud to award the Brunel Scholarship, an annual award of $1,200 toward French study abroad opportunities. It is available to all French majors and minors.
Degrees Awarded
Degrees Awarded
- Bachelor of Arts in French
- Minor in French
It's More Than Studying the Language
Our faculty, students and alumni are applying their language and cultural knowledge on a daily basis in a variety of settings.
Martin Roach ‘12
Martin graduated from the Â鶹´«Ã½ with a double major in French and international economics. He has since earned a joint master’s degree in economics and management of network industries through the Erasmus Mundus program in Europe. He returned to the United States and worked for an international IT company and as a business analyst at Ecova. He is in Europe now as a research associate at the Vlerick Business School working on the digital transformation of electricity.
Jacqueline Bartlett '19
Jacqueline, a Vermont native, pursued a double major in French and music along with a minor in aerospace studies. She became interested in studying French because of her ancestral ties to Quebec and France, but quickly discovered the practicality of knowing the language for her career as well. She joined the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant upon graduation and is serving as a foreign area officer.
Career Paths
French students have a wide variety of career paths available to them. The skills you gain from our program will prepare you to tackle a wide range of fields from STEM to education.
- Law
- Medicine
- Education
- Engineering
- Public policy
- International diplomacy
Flexible and Versatile
A major or minor in French from the Â鶹´«Ã½ will prepare you for a fulfilling career in a variety of professional fields.
Study Abroad
Almost all of our majors and minors have studied abroad at some point during their college career at St. Thomas.
Flexibility
What are you passionate about? Our course plans are flexible so you can cater them to your interests.
Faculty With Real Experience
Dr. Ashley Shams
Dr. Shams is an associate professor of French, as well as associate chair for the Department of Modern and Classical Languages.
Dr. Stephanie Lohse
Dr. Lohse is an assistant professor of French and serves as the French Club adviser.
A Plethora of Opportunities
What is your passion? As a French student at St. Thomas, you will have a number of opportunities to get involved, study abroad and nurture your French language abilities.
Innovative Programs
We offer numerous study abroad opportunities with integrative, innovative approaches in our J-term programs.
See the World
Want to go somewhere for longer than a month? We have several semester and yearlong study abroad opportunities in French-speaking countries, which often incorporate internships into the program.
We Have Your Back
French faculty choose a French-speaking Fulbright Scholar to provide personalized language attention to our students and meet their individual learning needs.
Active Scholars
Faculty possess a broad range of expertise in all areas of French culture, ranging from literature to advanced language study and phonetics.
Well-Connected
We have connections to local French organizations, such as the Alliance Française and the Franco-American Chamber of Commerce. These provide numerous internship and networking opportunities for our students.
Take the Next Step
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.